Released 40 years ago
Breaking Away
Jaki Graham · 1986
51 min · 12 tracks · soul
A vibrant blend of soulful melodies and polished pop production, showcasing Graham's powerful vocals and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Set Me Free — This track is a powerful anthem of liberation and self-empowerment, featuring a catchy chorus that highlights Graham’s vocal prowess.
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Breaking Away — 'Breaking Away' encapsulates the album’s overarching theme of personal growth and resilience, driven by its infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics.
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Still in Love — This ballad showcases Graham's ability to convey deep emotion through her voice, with lush arrangements that complement her expressive delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocal performances and varied tempos but lacks a cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a consistent upbeat tempo, while the fourth track introduces a slower groove that alters the album's energy.
- Vocals are prominently featured throughout, with layered harmonies supporting Graham's lead in several choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- introspective, reflective listening
- mid-tempo groove exploration
- warm, inviting vocal melodies
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 1, 1986, 'Breaking Away' marked Jaki Graham's debut on the RCA label after her successful stint with the EMI label. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from a rising star in the UK soul scene to a broader international audience, aiming to solidify her place in popular music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lalah Hathaway· Angela Winbush· Chaka Khan
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Set Me Free
The bridge shifts focus to personal agency as it emphasizes the need for freedom from past constraints.
This moment effectively contrasts the earlier verses, reinforcing the song's empowering message through its assertive tone.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Set Me Free 3:41
- 2 Breaking Away 3:37
- 3 Still in Love 5:39
- 4 Love Under Moonlight 5:08
- 5 Let’s Get Blue 4:32
- 6 Stop the World 4:43
- 7 Luv 2 Much 4:07
- 8 The Love of Your Life 4:03
- 9 The Closest One 4:41
- 10 Step Right Up 4:01
- 11 Mated 3:54
- 12 Love Me Tonight 3:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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