The Isley Brothers - Showdown/Grand Slam

2007 pairing of two funky Isley Brothers albums digitally remastered on one CD and housed in a slipcase. Showdown (1978) reached #4 in the Billboard charts while 1981's Grand Slam was another Top 30 album for the Isleys. Features extensive new liner notes. BGO Album Description

Good Combination

Showdown for me was the last of the Classic Isley RUn of the Funk and Smoothed out albums on a whole. it was a Banger with alot of jams. Grand Slam had a couple of decent jams,but the album felt rushed in some places. trademark Ernie Isley Guitar runs, Chris Jasper on the Keys and Ronald knocking it out vocally but you could pick up some burn out after knocking out so many tight albums and Jams for years. still this is a tight combo right here and this highlights the late 70's funk and Soul vibe of the Great Isley's. i have both of these on Record. always been a Huge fan of the Isley's and always will be. dig all era's of Isley's. October 4, 2007

Isley's Showdown/Grand Slam

Well Isley fan's here it is finally the chance to own two good albums on CD from the past. You got Showdown, Coolin' Me Out, Grove With You etc.. I'm just glad they are fianlly availiable. If you dont have the you have you better get them. September 24, 2007

80's Isleys in a blaze of glory

More funk from one of the greatest bands in history...during the 80's, Groove With You is considered an Isley Brothers classic. Take Me To the Next Phase, Coolin' Me Out and Tonight Is The Night are legendary Isley Brothers stuff. It's remastered for a stronger and noise free sound. How could you be unhappy with 2 Isley bros. albums for the price of one? Can't go wrong with this selection. May 13, 2007

I Love the Isleys!

This double CD set includes classic Isley slow jams. If you love 70s music, if you love Isley Brothers 70s music, this CD is a must have for your collection. May 8, 2007

A Great Isley Two-fer

This Two-on-One Isley cd from the UK label BGO collects two popular Isley albums that have never been released on cd in the US: The multi-platinum album SHOWDOWN (1978) and the gold album GRAND SLAM (1981). A slick booklet featuring liner notes retelling the Isley Brothers story and sparkling remastered sound enhance this package.

SHOWDOWN (1978) represented the Isleys at the top of their game when their formula of mixing funk with hard rock was still fresh and exciting. It included the #1 r&b hit "Take Me To The Next Phase" and the mellow "Groove With You". The wailing hard rock tunes "Rockin' With Fire" and "Love Fever" feature crunchy guitar chords and slashing guitar solos by the underated Ernie Isley, while on "Coolin' Me Out" and "Fun And Games", the Isleys go pop without losing their funky edge.

By the time 1981's GRAND SLAM was released, the Isleys clavinet-guitar solo-mellow funk formula was getting a little stale. Thus the entire album sounded like studio outtakes rather than a unified piece of work. It was the first Isley album that failed to produce at least one top-10 r&b hit since 1970's GET INTO SOMETHING. The highlights on this brief album are the beautiful "I Once Had Your Love (And I Can't Let Go)", the inspirational "Don't Let Up" and the top-50 pop hit "Hurry Up And Wait". Ernie's scorching guitar licks save the lame "Young Girls", while "Party Night" and "Who Said", the album's first single, are strictly filler material. February 28, 2007

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