Classic Pointer Sisters tracks making CD debut....
03/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here is the detailed track listing.....1. JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) (single version)
This is the first time the 7" mix of Jump has been available on a US Pointer Sisters CD 2. HE'S SO SHY
The classic #3 pop hit that set the direction for the sisters in the eighties 3. FIRE
The sisters' definitive version of the Bruce Springsteen song that became their first top ten pop hit. 4. AUTOMATIC (single version)
The song that solidified the sisters' reputation as dancefloor divas. Again, the single version is here for the first time on an American Pointers album. 5. GOLDMINE (extended remix) - CD DEBUT
The fabulous original shep pettibone 12" mix of Goldmine with wonderful spoken sections from June is now on CD for the first time anywhere. 6. I NEED YOU (UK 12" special remix) - CD DEBUT
I Need You was the first single from the classic Break out album. On it's original issue, it did not chart in the UK. After the huge success of Automatic and Jump (for my love), it was reissued in the UK with brand new 7" and 12" remixes. This UK only 12" remix of I Need You was far superior to the original extended version. This CD not only marks it's release on CD for the first time, but also it's first release outside of the UK. 7. WE'VE GOT THE POWER - CD DEBUT
This beautifully exuberant 1980 track led by June received a lot of play on R&B radio and became a Dance hit in the US. Despite being reminiscent of the works of Mtume and Lucas as well as Earth, Wind & Fire, it was not released as a single. Happily, it makes it's international CD debut here. 8. NEUTRON DANCE
The classic top ten hit from 1985 featured in Beverly Hills Cop 9. I'M SO EXCITED (Break Out album remix)
One of the sisters' signature numbers, this song was originally a top 30 hit in 1982. When this remix was issued in 1984, it made the top ten. 10. HERE IS WHERE YOUR LOVE BELONGS (Unedited version - CD DEBUT)
Ruth Pointer gives a heart breaking performance on this beautiful quiet storm ballad from the wonderful Special Things album. It finally receives a long overdue CD release here in a slightly longer version. 11. SLOW HAND
The Sisters' biggest pop hit ever in the States. 12. BLIND FAITH - CD DEBUT
This cover of the classic Stealers Wheel track led by Ruth was the first single from the Priority album. Another track seeing it's first release on CD, anywhere in the world."
A good place for beginners...
Dana C. Steinman | SyracuseNY | 03/16/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"When it comes to budget priced compilations (Capitol's Classic Masters, Polygram's Millenium Series, et al...) the consumer typically gets what he pays for--little or no annotation, low sound quality, also-ran song selection. But this Pointer Sisters edition of BMG's Paltinum & Gold series is a winner for a few reasons. First off is the inclusion of Shep Pettibone's 12" mix of "Goldmine", an item whose CD debut has so far eluded Pointer completists. Also here is an otherwise forgotten about 12" version of "I Need You" that has yet to appear on any other Pointer comp. Making this a real chestnut, however, would have been the inclusions of 12" versions of "Mercury Rising", "Twist My Arm", or even "Happiness". But other reasons to invest the twelve bucks are track annotation, (including multiple chart peaks, album inclusions, and essay--albeit too brief), and superb sound quality. Many of these tracks, especially their late Seventies/early Eighties hits sound even more pristine than they do on RCA's 2000 Best Of. The real gem here, however, is this collection's closer: "Blind Faith" from the criminally ignored Priority LP. Not only does this track rock, it rocks like only the Pointer Sisters could, with serious muscle and serious fun. With Break Out being lauded as their best album (and not too far from the mark, either), Priority is no doubt the true bearer of that crown. Perhaps this track's inclusion here on this compilation is indication that its deserved compact disc issue (along with an overhaul of their entire RCA/Planet catalog!) is not too far into the future. Special Things' "We've Got The Power", here in all its remastered sparkle, may mean that time is even closer. But in the meantime, this is a perfectly concise place for any Pointer Sister beginner to have their interest piqued--all the inexhaustible hits, telling examples of these ladies' uniqueness, a few rarities, and everything that's missing from vocal groups on the radio today."
Pointers For Cheapskates
Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 07/09/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I sometimes listen to older artists these days from the 80's. Especially, since the music industry is filled with manufactured wannabes, and thensome. Guilty pleasures from then, have much better music than people now realize. That comes from so many acts that have broke boundaries. The Pointer Sisters were one of those acts that absolutely broke that mold. They did so many things that Destiny's Child, Cleopatra and other girl groups have still not been able to accomplish, from performin on Broadway, to becoming the first African-American group to perform at the Grand Old Opry in the 1970's. The music they've made is still just as amazing today. While the sisters haven't scored a massive hit in years, the impact is still just as exciting and grand.The Platinum & Gold Collection has been BMG's answer to the surprising success of the Universal's 20th Century Masters Collection discs, that started in 2003. This one with the Pointer Sisters, has been a constant when it comes to good music. The songs here range with some of their great hits including I'm So Excited, the soulful Slow Hand, Fire, which Bruce Springsteen actually conjured up, the dynamic and groovy Neutron Dance, and He's So Shy, to just name a few. The songs here are great, but many people may not want this record. Largely, because there have been too many different Pointer Sisters hits' collection to come out in the past few years. The best one was the 2000 collection, which has more songs than the about dozen tracks here. All in all, the price is more for people who can't afford other hits collections, and is the price of those bargain masters in the process. There are just too few songs on this one, that die hard Pointer Sisters fanatics may skip this one out.All in all, this Pointer Sisters collection is very decent, but could've been better. Still, for anybody who can aford a good collection, this one is a sampler, but other good collections are already out now. The Pointer Sisters really did make some great music, but it is a shame people don't enjoy Ruth, Anita, and June pointer anymore."