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Released in 1981, Breakin' Away is not only a great follow-up to This Time, it all but perfected the effort. With an amazing batch of songs, producer/artist chemistry, and top-level players, Breakin' Away became the standard bearer of the L.A. pop and R&B sound. "Closer to Your Love" comes off as a tougher, more confident version of the songs from the previous album. However, in short order, Breakin' Away assumes its own identity with brilliant results. Everything works so well here that the hit, the pleasing "We're in This Love Together," comes off as the weak link. "Easy," with its gorgeous and subtle Latin flourishes, has Jarreau's purposeful delivery coming off oddly poignant in its joy and beauty. The bittersweet "My Old Friend" has him giving a charming and understated reading with gorgeous synth signatures that speak volumes. Most of Breakin' Away has Jarreau in great spirits and giving one great performance after another, like the powerful and melody-rich title song. Like his best albums, this gives Jarreau plenty of room to exercise his chops. He struts through the funky and elegant "Roof Garden," and on the impressive "(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo a la Turk" he offers great scats and whimsical lyrics. For the final track, Jarreau brings new life to "Teach Me Tonight" and it has a sweeping, dreamy arrangement. Produced by Jay Graydon, Breakin' Away is a great album and informed a lot of Jarreau's subsequent efforts.
© Jason Elias /TiVo
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JAY GRAYDON, Arranger, Writer - TOM CANNING, Arranger, Writer - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
Steve George, Writer - JAY GRAYDON, Arranger - Richard Page, Writer - TOM CANNING, Arranger - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, MainArtist - John Long, Writer
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
Roger Murrah, Writer - Michael Omartian, Electric Piano, Synthesizer - Keith Stegall, Writer - Steve Gadd, Drums - JAY GRAYDON, Producer, Arranger, Electric Guitar - Lon Price, Alto Saxophone - TOM CANNING, Arranger - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, MainArtist - Abe Laboriel, Bass - Stegall, Writer - Murrah, Writer
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
JAY GRAYDON, Arranger, Writer - TOM CANNING, Arranger, Writer - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
DAVID FOSTER, String Arranger - JAY GRAYDON, Arranger, Writer - TOM CANNING, Arranger, Writer - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
Jerry Hey, Horns Arranger - JAY GRAYDON, Arranger, Writer - TOM CANNING, Arranger, Writer - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
Jerry Hey, Horns Arranger - DAVID FOSTER, String Arranger - Graydon, Writer - JAY GRAYDON, Arranger, Writer - Jarreau, Writer - Canning, Writer - TOM CANNING, Arranger, Writer - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
JAY GRAYDON, Vocal Arranger - TOM CANNING, Vocal Arranger - Al Jarreau, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, Vocal Arranger, MainArtist - Dave Brubeck, Writer - Milchio Leviev, Arranger
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
T. King, Arranger - Felix Mendelssohn, Arranger - Al Jarreau, Vocals, MainArtist - DePaul, Cahn, Composer - Cahn, De Paul, Composer, Writer - J. M. Paris, Arranger
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc.
Album review
Released in 1981, Breakin' Away is not only a great follow-up to This Time, it all but perfected the effort. With an amazing batch of songs, producer/artist chemistry, and top-level players, Breakin' Away became the standard bearer of the L.A. pop and R&B sound. "Closer to Your Love" comes off as a tougher, more confident version of the songs from the previous album. However, in short order, Breakin' Away assumes its own identity with brilliant results. Everything works so well here that the hit, the pleasing "We're in This Love Together," comes off as the weak link. "Easy," with its gorgeous and subtle Latin flourishes, has Jarreau's purposeful delivery coming off oddly poignant in its joy and beauty. The bittersweet "My Old Friend" has him giving a charming and understated reading with gorgeous synth signatures that speak volumes. Most of Breakin' Away has Jarreau in great spirits and giving one great performance after another, like the powerful and melody-rich title song. Like his best albums, this gives Jarreau plenty of room to exercise his chops. He struts through the funky and elegant "Roof Garden," and on the impressive "(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo a la Turk" he offers great scats and whimsical lyrics. For the final track, Jarreau brings new life to "Teach Me Tonight" and it has a sweeping, dreamy arrangement. Produced by Jay Graydon, Breakin' Away is a great album and informed a lot of Jarreau's subsequent efforts.
© Jason Elias /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 9 track(s)
- Total length: 00:40:53
- Main artists: Al Jarreau
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Rhino - Warner Records
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
© 1981 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1981 Warner Records Inc. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
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