Burning The Ground Exclusive
By 1978, the Pointer Sisters had begun an eleven-year association with producer Richard Perry—first through his Planet Records label and later continuing their collaboration under RCA Records. During this period, they amassed eleven Top 40 hits, solidifying their place as one of the most successful vocal groups of the era. Their 1983 multi-platinum album Break Out was a major career highlight, producing four Top Ten hits, including a remixed version of “I’m So Excited,” which had first appeared on their 1982 album So Excited!. However, after this peak, the group’s commercial success gradually declined, leading to their departure from RCA in 1988.
In March 1989, reports emerged that the Pointer Sisters were negotiating with Motown Records—a label that had passed on signing them in 1971 but had later become home to original member Bonnie Pointer when she left for a solo career in 1977. By May 1989, the group officially signed with Motown, with June Pointer expressing their hope to help restore the label’s former glory. Unfortunately, neither their album Right Rhythm nor their Motown tenure proved to be the revival they had hoped for.
The first single from Right Rhythm, “Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It),” was released in May 1990. The song was recorded at Prince’s famed Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, adding a layer of Minneapolis funk flavor to its polished R&B sound. The song, an upbeat R&B track, managed to reach #36 on the Billboard R&B charts but failed to break into the mainstream. The track was remixed by the legendary Shep Pettibone, known for his work with Madonna, Janet Jackson, and many other top artists of the era, adding a club-ready edge that made the song a favorite on dance floors despite its modest chart performance. The follow-up single, the ballad “After You,” also struggled to find a wide audience. A third single, a remixed version of “Insanity,” fared slightly better, peaking at #62 on the R&B charts and achieving a more notable #11 placement on the Billboard dance charts. Despite the group’s best efforts, Right Rhythm would ultimately be their only album with Motown.
While Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) may not have been a major hit, it remains a notable entry in the Pointer Sisters’ discography as part of their attempt to reinvent themselves in a changing musical landscape. It serves as a testament to their enduring artistry and willingness to take creative risks even as the music industry evolved around them.
Do you remember hearing “Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It)” when it was released? Share your thoughts in the comments!
SIDE A:
Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (Radio Edit) 4:03
Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (Shep’s Advice Mix) 6:24
SIDE B:
Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (Dub ‘Do Your Own Thing’ Mix) 4:51
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #36 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – MOT-4661
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: May 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: House, Soul, Garage House
CREDITS:
- Edited By – Tony Shimkin
- Engineer – Goh Hotoda
- Executive-Producer – Debbie Sandridge, The Pointer Sisters*
- Producer – Levi Seacer, Jr.*
- Remix, Producer [Additional] – Shep Pettibone
- Written-By – Donald Robinson, Tina Harris (3)
NOTES:
Recorded at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassan, MN
From the LP “Right Rhythm”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: 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:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (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
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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