Shake You Down (album)

Shake You Down
Shake You Down
Studio album by Gregory Abbott
Released	February 1, 1986
Recorded	1985–86
Studio	Atlantic Studios (New York City, NY), Sonic Sound (Freepoint, NY), Unique Recording Studio (New York City, NY) & Grabbitt Studios.
Genre	R&B; soul; quiet storm;
Length	31:35
Label	Columbia
Producer	Gregory Abbott
Gregory Abbott chronology
Singles from Shake You Down
	"Shake You Down"; Released: August 1986;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Christgau's Record Guide	B+^[1]

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.

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."^[1]

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."^[2]

Track listing

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

"I Got the Feelin' (It's Over)" – 4:05
"Say You Will" – 4:00
"Shake You Down" – 4:03
"You're My Angel" – 3:55
"Magic" – 3:58
"Wait Until Tomorrow" – 3:51
"Rhyme and Reason" – 3:36
"I'll Find a Way" – 4:07

Personnel

Gregory Abbott – lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, drums (1, 4, 6-8), percussion, arrangements
Alan Palanker – keyboards, co-arrangements (2–5, 7, 8)
Marlon Graves – guitars
T.M. Stevens – bass
David Beal – drums (2, 3, 5)
John Licitra – flute, saxophones
Aida Foreman – backing vocals
Robert Deadmon – backing vocals (3)

Production

Charles Koppelman – executive producer
Gregory Abbott – producer
Gerry Comito – engineer, recording
Mark Larson – design
Raul Vega – photography

Certifications

Certifications for *Shake You Down*
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[3]	Gold	50,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[4]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

^ ^a ^b Christgau, Robert (1990). "A". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
^ AllMusic Review
^ "Canadian album certifications – Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down". Music Canada. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "American album certifications – Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 22, 2022.

External links

Shake You Down at Discogs

[Christgau-1] Christgau, Robert (1990). "A". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 16, 2020.

[2] AllMusic Review

[CanadaGregory_AbbottShake_You_DownalbumCertRef-3] "Canadian album certifications – Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down". Music Canada. Retrieved August 22, 2022.

[United_StatesGregory_AbbottShake_You_DownalbumCertRef-4] "American album certifications – Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 22, 2022.

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