Breakin' Away
Al Jarreau · 1981
40 min · 9 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of jazz, funk, and soul that showcases smooth vocals over lush arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Closer to Your Love Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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We're in This Love Together — This track encapsulates the album's romantic themes with its catchy melody and heartfelt vocal delivery, making it one of Jarreau's most recognizable hits.
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Easy — A stunning rendition of the Lionel Richie classic, Jarreau’s interpretation blends soft jazz elements with soulful phrasing, showcasing his vocal versatility.
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Breakin’ Away — The title track highlights Jarreau's unique style, combining rhythmic complexity with lyrical introspection, creating an engaging listening experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz, funk, and soul with polished production and strong vocal arrangements, making it distinctive yet accessible.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms and layered instrumentation, creating a rich sonic texture throughout.
- Vocals are often harmonized in call-and-response patterns, particularly evident in the chorus of 'We're in This Love Together'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative evening relaxation
- smooth background ambiance
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a commercial peak and wider recognition for Jarreau.
- Career context
- Released in 1981, Breakin' Away was Al Jarreau's fifth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Glow from 1976. This record marked a commercial peak for Jarreau, featuring a more polished sound that appealed to a broader audience and solidified his place in the smooth jazz genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Bobby McFerrin· Stevie Wonder
Tracklist
- 1 Closer to Your Love Start here 3:54
- 2 My Old Friend 4:26
- 3 We’re in This Love Together 3:44
- 4 Easy 5:23
- 5 Our Love 3:53
- 6 Breakin’ Away 4:12
- 7 Roof Garden 6:19
- 8 (Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo a la Turk 4:44
- 9 Teach Me Tonight 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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