BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
NEW 2020 Transfer!
Meticulously Remastered!
Originally posted April 3, 2013
“Breakaway” is a cover of American R&B singer Chuck Jackson’s song “I Can’t Break Away” by Australian band Big Pig. It was originally released in November 1987 in the United Kingdom. Outside the UK, it was released in February 1988 as the third single from their debut album Bonk. The song, written by Mitchell Bottler and Gary Zekley, is about freedom and fighting against destiny. Like many other Big Pig songs, “Breakaway” features plentiful drums and percussion, but no guitars.
The song became the band’s most successful single, reaching number one in New Zealand in May 1988. It also peaked at number eight in their native Australia and managed to chart in North America, reaching number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on Canada’s RPM Top Singles chart. Its earlier UK release saw the song peak at number 89 on the UK Singles Chart. In addition, the song was a club hit in the United States peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Dance chart.
In 1989, the song appeared on the soundtrack to the science-fiction comedy film Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
SIDE A:
Breakaway (Extended Version) 5:42
Mixed By – Roli Mosimann
Breakaway (Dub Mix) 5:11
Engineer [Mix] – David Avidor
Mixed By – Roli Mosimann
SIDE B:
Breakaway (12″ Popper Mix) 6:00
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Nick Launay
Breakaway (New Edit) 3:48
Remix – Roli Mosimann
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Breakaway | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #60 |
| 1988 | Breakaway | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #7 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12259
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: Mar 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Design, Photography [Front Cover] – Jeremy Pearce, John Warwicker, Oleh Witer
Photography [Group] – Mark Lebon
Written-By – Zekley*, Bottler*
NOTES:
Original version appears on the A&M album “Bonk” SP-6-5185.
Mastered at Masterdisk.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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They really had no guitars? It’s happened to me again. But it’s been 20 years since I was told a particular instrument, was not a guitar, but a off a keyboard. It’s not always easy to tell without seeing how they recorded these songs. This song has bee none of my favorites. I have this single at home, but the 12 inch I have has no Popper mix. Just Extended, Dub and 7 inch. The dub was always one of my favorite dubs, appearing to be a mix between the 7 inch and Popper mix. Mine is likely the release… Read more »
Right in the face. Bombastic track.Thx Paul.
LOVE this one! I had no idea it was a cover. I’m listening to the original now; it’s very groovy in its own way but I’m amazed they found such a unique way to cover it.
Hey Paul, I searched BTG 3 days ago to see if this 12″ was here and then, today I get an email alert that it’s up. What a coincidence! Great choice, as always. Thank you 🙂
I have been waiting for a new rip of this for such a long time. Paul, it’s one of my favorite tracks from the 80’s. The percussion is so bombastic and fierce! I can’t wait to hear this new transfer because you just keep on getting better and better at your craft/art!! This is a song that begs to be blasted in the home or in the car. It’s just……PHENOMENAL!!!!!!
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff. You are right this is an amazing record and one of my personal favorites too 🙂