Shake You Down (album)

Last updated

Shake You Down
Shake You Down.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 1, 1986
Recorded1985–86
Studio
Genre
Length31:35
Label Columbia
Producer Gregory Abbott
Gregory Abbott chronology
Shake You Down
(1986)
I'll Prove It to You
(1988)
Singles from Shake You Down
  1. "Shake You Down" / "Wait Until Tomorrow"
    Released: August 1986 [1]
  2. "I Got the Feelin' (It's Over)" / "Rhyme and Reason"
    Released: 1986 [2]
  3. "You're My Angel" (remix) / "I'll Find a Way"
    Released: 1987 (Europe) [3]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Christgau's Record Guide B+ [5]

Shake You Down is the debut album by American R&B singer-songwriter Gregory Abbott. It was self-written and produced by Abbott, being released by Columbia Records in 1986.

Contents

In the US, two singles were released from the record (Europe saw a third single-release with "You're My Angel"); the title track was a massive hit single, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. The other, "I Got The Feelin' (It's Over)" was an R&B hit as well, reaching number 5 on that chart. On the strength of the singles, the album went platinum; it reached that certification on February 2, 1987.

Reception

The Village Voice critic Robert Christgau said that Abbott tries to be "a great love man without a great voice", but "by reinventing a black pop of modest means, he takes a first step toward returning that great crossover in the sky to the people." [5]

AllMusic's Craig Lytle retrospectively gave the recording 4 of 5 stars, saying it "has an even flow. All the tracks have that mid-tempo rhythm. The quality vocals, light production touches, and effervescent melodies are attractive attributes." [4]

Track listing

All songs written and produced by Gregory Abbott. (copyright CBS Songs/Control)

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I Got the Feelin' (It's Over)"4:05
2."Say You Will"4:00
3."Shake You Down"4:03
4."You're My Angel"3:55
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."Magic"3:58
6."Wait Until Tomorrow"3:51
7."Rhyme and Reason"3:36
8."I'll Find a Way"4:07

Personnel

Production

Certifications

Certifications for Shake You Down
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [6] Gold50,000^
United States (RIAA) [7] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. "Shake You Down" (single). Gregory Abbott. Washington, D.C.: Columbia Records. 1986. 38-06191
  2. "I Got the Feelin' (It's Over)" (single). Gregory Abbott. Washington, D.C.: Columbia Records. 1986. 38-06632
  3. "You're My Angel" (remix) (single). Gregory Abbott. New York, New York: CBS Records. 1986. CBS-650886-7
  4. 1 2 AllMusic Review
  5. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (1990). "A". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s . Pantheon Books. ISBN   0-679-73015-X . Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  6. "Canadian album certifications – Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down". Music Canada . Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  7. "American album certifications – Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 22, 2022.