Pointer Sisters - Break Out: Deluxe Special Edition (CD)

Release Date: 10/16/20

THE POINTER SISTERS were one of the most successful female groups the music industry has seen with 13 top 20 singles and 8 top 40 albums shared between the US and UK pop charts. The 1983 release of BREAK OUT saw the group reach the peak of their commercial success.

This was the group's sixth album with producer RICHARD PERRY, with whom they had three big US Pop hits: FIRE (#2, 1979), HE'S SO SHY (#3, 1980) and SLOW HAND (#2, 1981). With BREAK OUT, the group took the advice of RUTH POINTER's son, who wanted them to record a dance album. PERRY sought out associate producers for each track, giving BREAK OUT the electronic feel of 1983 R&B.

The album's lead single I NEED YOU was recorded to reintroduce the group to their African-American fanbase, reaching the R&B Top 20. Second single AUTOMATIC reached #2 R&B and #5 Pop, giving the group their biggest hit for three years and becoming massively successful internationally. JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) followed suit, reaching #3 Pop and R&B in the US and #6 in the UK.

Anita, June and Ruth had written I'M SO EXCITED for their previous album, but felt it had not reached its full commercial potential. The single was remixed and rereleased, becoming another Top 10 Pop hit in the US and reaching #11 in the UK. Subsequently, NEUTRON DANCE was selected for the soundtrack to the EDDIE MURPHY movie BEVERLY HILLS COP and was released as a single, giving the group a fourth consecutive US Top 10 Pop hit. Final single BABY COME AND GET IT reached #24 R&B.

A new edition of BREAK OUT was released in 1984, including the remix of I'M SO EXCITED. This new edition became the group's first album to be released on CD; the album eventually reached triple platinum status in the US.

From its relatively modest performance on release in 1983, BREAK OUT went on to become one of the biggest -selling albums of both 1984 and 1985 in the US, transforming the POINTER SISTERS into pop superstars.