‘Break Out’ was a big success for the Pointer Sisters racking up six top ten singles. Jump (For My Love) and Automatic were massive hits, and Neutron Dance, another one of their hits, also featured in the film “Beverly Hills Cop”. This album of the 80s is not just filled with slick production with great vocals from the sisters and plenty of synths, but there are also some funky guitar solos in the songs that anyone familiar with the band would observe.

‘Break Out’ is the tenth studio album by the American female vocal group the Pointer ssisters, namely lead vocalist Anita, June and Ruth and the most successful album to date, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200 and being certified triple-platinum by the RIAA. 

Side one is solid gold, is how I’d put it.  Great party music, superb 80's synth driven groovy funk R&B, while Side two isn't as strong with the catchy songs, but it still has its highlights, though song writing isn't as strong here.

Going into rewind mode, the singles Jump (For My Love), I Need You, Automatic, and the aforementioned Neutron Dance are toppers here, fast paced, ready-to-dance, easy going numbers that will put every listener into a happy mood and invite to a dance floor, though I need You, slips a bit. This album back in the day, was a DJs favorite piece of dance music and a must on every night at the disco.

The other tracks on this album are Easy Persuasion, less dance oriented but their smoothness make them stand out among synth craze of above mentioned songs. There’s also Baby Come and Get It, I’m so Excited, I and Dance Electric.

This is retro nostalgia of the time when you could hear good music and listen to it almost 40 years later, it makes the songs sound cooler. The Pointer Sisters made the transition from the disco to the synthpop era. It's a shame that a lot of the classic R&b albums are just being forgotten.

‘Break Out’ surely is the beginning of what the Spice Girls adapted as feel good energy songs that are still loved even today. Its no wonder that the album ‘Break Out’ sold over three million copies in the U.S. and won the group two Grammy awards and two American Music Awards.

Release Date: 6^th November, 1983

Label: Planet Records 

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira