Break Out

by The Pointer Sisters

Overview

By the time the Pointer Sisters unleashed their 1983 Break Out LP, they had racked up six Top Ten singles spread between the pop and R&B charts. Break Out would prove to be their new wave breakthrough, peppering both charts with five further songs -- half the album -- while the LP itself spent over a year on the charts. Astute performers, the Pointer Sisters had embraced the 1980s' penchant for synthesized sonics wholeheartedly and used them to fine effect across songs that were upbeat and slick, space-age dance grooves that brought a new dimension to the trio's sound. Both "Jump (For My Love)" and "Automatic" were massive hits during early 1984, as both injected the sisters' trademark harmonies with fresh grooves that culminated in an appealing blend of old and new. "Neutron Dance," meanwhile, with Ruth Pointer's rich lead vocal laying over an extraordinarily snappy and nearly frenetic melody, did double duty, also featuring in the film Beverly Hills Cop. Using those three songs as a springboard, Break Out powers on through one groover after another with few surprises, although "Dance Electric" combines a synthesizer straight out Human League territory with a blistering guitar solo and "Easy Persuasion" emerges as a smoky ballad of sorts. Although Break Out is a far cry from the Pointer Sisters' earliest intentions, it still charms and pleases. It's a vital part of the early-'80s tapestry, a sonic signpost for the ultimate feel-good generation. ~ Amy Hanson

Product Details

Release Date:	02/28/2025
Label:	Music On Vinyl
UPC:	8719262036925

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Pointer Sisters   Primary Artist
Gary Herbig   Reeds,Saxophone
Barry Mann   Synthesizer
Eddie Watkins   Bass
Mark Goldenberg   Guitar
Anita Pointer   Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background),Vocals
William D. "Smitty" Smith   Organ,Keyboards
Nathan Watts   Bass
Rich Ruttenberg   Synthesizer
Howie Rice   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Mini Moog,Percussion,Synthesizer,Drum Machine,Electronic Drums,Multi Instruments
Steve Mitchell   Percussion,Synthesizer
Richard Ruttenberg   Synthesizer
Eddie Watkins Jr.   Bass
John Barnes   Piano
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
John Robinson   Drums
David Katay   Guitar
Chuck Findley   Trumpet
James Ingram   Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Jim Horn   Reeds,Saxophone
Michael Baird   Drums
Stephen Michell   Synthesizer,Drum Machine
Paul Fox   Synthesizer
Andy Goldmark   Synthesizer,Drum Machine
Paulinho Da Costa   Percussion,Tambourine
Greg Phillinganes   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Francis Buckley   Synthesizer
John Van Tongeren   Mini Moog,Synthesizer
Dennis Herring   Guitar
Ruth Pointer   Vocals,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Vince Melamed   Piano,Fender Rhodes
Lee Ritenour   Guitar
Louis Johnson   Bass
June Pointer   Vocals,Lead Vocals
Michael Boddicker   Synthesizer
Dick Hyde   Trombone
George Doering   Guitar
Tommy Faragher   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Brock Walsh   Synthesizer
Bruce Roberts   Percussion,Synthesizer
Gary Grant   Trumpet
Glen Ballard   Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Michael Brooks   Engineer,Remixing
Barry Mann   Composer,Drum Programming,Associate Producer
Gabe Veltri   Engineer
Mark Goldenberg   Composer
Anita Pointer   Composer
Brock Patrick Walsh   Composer
Reek Havoc   Drum Programming
Howie Rice   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Hill Swimmer   Engineer
Steve Mitchell   Composer
James C. Tract   Remixing
Bob Mithoff   Drum Programming
John Black   Composer
Bill Schnee   Remixing
Richard Perry   Producer
James Ingram   Composer,Drum Programming
Richard Feldman   Composer
The Pointer Sisters   Arranger
Allee Willis   Composer
Trevor Lawrence   Composer,Horn Arrangements,Associate Producer
Stephen Michell   Composer,Programming,Associate Producer,Synthesizer Programming
Traditional   Composer
Andy Goldmark   Composer,Drum Programming,Associate Producer
Cynthia Weil   Composer
Gary Skardina   Composer,Engineer,Associate Producer
Francis Buckley   Engineer,Drum Programming
Ruth Pointer   Composer
June Pointer   Composer
Marti Sharron   Composer
Michael Boddicker   Programming,Synthesizer Programming
Danny Sembello   Composer
Brock Walsh   Composer,Drum Programming,Associate Producer
Bruce Roberts   Composer
Brian Elliott   Engineer
Glen Ballard   Composer,Drum Programming,Associate Producer