Album of the Day

Born in Henderson, Texas on this day in 1944, Archie Bell made some of the most joyously danceable soul music of the 1960s with his group, The Drells. Their final album for Atlantic Records, THERE’S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN, was one of their best, with such highlights as “Girl You're Too Young,” “Go For What You Know” and the Top 40 title track. The material and arrangements are strong throughout; the 1969 collection was produced by future Philadelphia International hitmakers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who cowrote eight of the dozen tracks here along with frequent collaborator Thom Bell (no relation to Archie). The infectious and funky fun of THERE’S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN makes it perfect for a party, so we’ll use it to wish Archie Bell a happy birthday!