Showdown (Isley Brothers album) explained

Showdown
Type:	Album
Artist:	the Isley Brothers
Cover:	Isley brothers Showdown album.jpg
Released:	April 22, 1978
Recorded:	1978
Studio:	Bearsville (Woodstock, New York)
Length:	41:50
Label:	T-Neck Records
Producer:	The Isley Brothers
Prev Title:	Go for Your Guns
Prev Year:	1977
Next Title:	Timeless
Next Year:	1978

Showdown is the sixteenth studio album by the Isley Brothers, released on April 22, 1978, on their T-Neck Records label. Singles released from the album include the #1 funk/disco hit, "Take Me to the Next Phase" and the top 20 R&B slower, "Groove With You". The album became another platinum album for the Isley Brothers. It was remastered and expanded for inclusion in the 2015 released CD box set The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters, 1959-1983.

Release

Showdown was released 22 April 1978 on the Isley Brother's own T-Neck Records label. It was their sixteenth album release.

It was remastered and expanded for inclusion in the 2015 released CD box set The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters, 1959-1983.

Reception

Spawning the #1 funk/disco hit, Take Me to the Next Phase (Part 1 & 2) and the top 20 R&B slower, "Groove With You", the album became another platinum album for the Isley Brothers. Though not released as a single, the smooth funk jam "Coolin' Me Out" was also a hit.

Track listing

Unless otherwise noted, Information is based on Liner notes^[1]

Note

• While ”Take Me to the Next Phase” sounds like a live stadium recording, it is actually a studio recording with audience overdubs. Additional crowd noises are provided by Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper.^[2]

Personnel

• Ronald Isley - lead vocals, background vocals
• O'Kelly Isley, Jr. - background vocals
• Rudolph Isley - background vocals
• Chris Jasper - percussion (5),^[3] foot stomps (5),^[2] piano, keyboards, ARP synthesizers, clavinet, tambourine, background vocals
• Marvin Isley - foot stomps (5),^[2] bass, woodblock, cowbell, percussion, background vocals
• Ernie Isley - congas, percussion (1, 3, 5, 7),^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} foot stomps (5),^[2] guitar, drums, timbales, maracas, background vocals

Technical

• John Holbrook - recording engineer
• Thomas Mark - recording engineer

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1978)	Position
US Billboard 200^[7]	82
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[8]	9

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions^[9]
		US R&B
1978	"Take Me to the Next Phase"	1
	"Groove with You"	16

See also

• List of number-one R&B albums of 1978 (U.S.)

External links

• The Isley Brothers-Showdown at Discogs

Notes and References

1. The Isley Brothers. “Showdown” (Album notes). T-Neck. 1978.
2. The Isley Brothers. “Take Me to the Next Phase, Pts. 1-2”. Allmusic: Review by Ed Hogan. https://www.allmusic.com/song/take-me-to-the-next-phase-pts-1-2-mt0048480428
3. ”Take Me to the Next Phase, Pts. 1 & 2”. YouTube: The Isley Brothers - Topic. February 18, 2017. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XPKryuyQw1w
4. “Showdown, Pts. 1 & 2”. YouTube: The Isley Brothers - Topic. August 22, 2015. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6r48NXQ4h8c
5. “Ain’t Givin’ Up No Love”. YouTube: The Isley Brothers - Topic. August 22, 2015. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K0rVcuDGOOA
6. “Fun and Games”. YouTube: The Isley Brothers - Topic. August 22, 2015. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ptbl8W1ozhA
7. Web site: Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1978. Billboard. November 14, 2021.
8. Web site: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1978. Billboard. November 14, 2021.
9. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4562/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} The Isley Brothers US singles chart history]. allmusic.com. September 3, 2011.