"E.S.P." is the seventeenth studio album by the Bee Gees, released in 1987. This marked their first studio effort in six years and their debut under a new contract with Warner Bros. The album was notable for being their first digital recording and the first collaboration with producer Arif Mardin in twelve years.
Following the decline of their popularity after the Disco Demolition Night in 1979, the Gibb brothers focused on writing and producing for other artists while exploring solo careers. E.S.P. represented a significant comeback, achieving strong sales in Europe, reaching No. 5 in the UK, No. 1 in Germany and Switzerland, and charting well in several other countries, although it struggled in the US, peaking at No. 96.
The album's lead single, "You Win Again," was particularly successful, topping the charts in multiple countries. The cover features the Gibb brothers at the Castlerigg stone circle in the Lake District, adding a distinct visual element to the album's identity.
With the Bee Gees back in the Warner-Elektra-Atlantic family, producer Arif Mardin was available once again to collaborate with them. The Gibb brothers began writing and recording for E.S.P. around September 1986, utilizing Maurice's home studio, affectionately known as Panther House, instead of their usual Middle Ear studio.
Maurice took the lead in setting up the recording environment, with Scott Glasel assisting as the engineer. Scott later recalled that Barry would bring in songs as simple demos featuring just his voice and guitar. The band then expanded these demos into fuller arrangements. However, the recording sessions were often tumultuous, with Barry and Robin frequently engaging in heated arguments over minor issues, sometimes causing the project to be put on hold. Maurice, determined to keep the momentum going, would often reach out to Scott after a few days to announce that they were ready to restart work on the album.
