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- Artist: Arthur Baker
- Rating:
- Release Date: October 16, 2001
- Type: Mix-album
- Genre: Electronica
Review
Electro and hip-hop pioneer Arthur Baker's productions in the '90s exerted nowhere near the influence they did during the previous decade. That said, Breakin' is probably the closest thing to a proper anthology of Baker's earlier works on the market -- which is quite surprising, given the prolific string of groundbreaking hits Baker produced for various artists during that period of time. It also makes this record somewhat of a befuddlement. The only drawback to Breakin' is that it's a two-disc affair, and the first half is definitely something that hinders the potency of this release. Consisting of remixes and collaborations that are uptempo numbers bordering on progressive house, the songs are simply average at best, with absolutely no trace of the innovative nature or creative ambition Baker once so brilliantly displayed. But while the first CD consists of predominately new productions, the second CD is where the true gold and watershed moments of Baker's career are compiled. Starting off with the painfully brilliant remix of New Order's "Confusion," the disc moves at a breakneck pace through some of the most brilliant moments of hip-hop and electro. His productions of "Looking for the Perfect Beat" and several others sound just as fresh now as when they were debuted on the dancefloors around the world. Capping out the second disc with the anthem "Planet Rock" leaves you with a feeling of elation that one man could produce this many hits and so many more, but then also a feeling of bewilderment -- as to what exactly happened from then until now. Enjoy the second disc, but leave the first one in the case. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music GuideTracks
CD 1
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| The Illuminous | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker, Utah Saints | (4:53) |
| Jamaica C'mon | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker, Top Cat, |
(5:39) |
| Microphone Style | Arthur Baker, Lee Coombs, |
Arthur Baker, Lee Coombs, |
(5:17) |
| Put the Needle to the Record | Arthur Baker | (4:04) | |
| Do It Like This!!! | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker | (4:33) |
| Walking on Sunshine vs. Sky's the Limit | Arthur Baker, Eddy Grant, |
Arthur Baker, |
(5:00) |
| The Anthem | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker, |
(4:19) |
| Different Styles | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker | (3:46) |
| Quiet Riot | Arthur Baker, |
Arthur Baker, Felix da Housecat | (6:42) |
| Face It | Arthur Baker, Rennie Pilgrem | Arthur Baker, Rennie Pilgrem | (4:23) |
| The Feelin' | Arthur Baker, |
Arthur Baker, The Dave Clark Five | (6:20) |
| Si Mia Vita | Arthur Baker, |
Arthur Baker, |
(4:10) |
| Der Schieber [AB Rock the Bass Mix] | Timo Maas, |
Arthur Baker, Timo Maas | (4:18) |
| Buttercup | Arthur Baker, |
Arthur Baker | (4:21) |
| Rockin' the Beads | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker | (4:33) |
| Planet Rock [Swordfish Mix] | Arthur Baker, Afrika Bambaataa, |
Afrika Bambaataa | (5:26) |
CD 2
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Confusion (Lyrics) | Arthur Baker, Peter Hook, |
New Order | (8:02) |
| Looking for the Perfect Beat (Lyrics) | Arthur Baker, |
Afrika Bambaataa | (6:56) |
| Walking on Sunshine | Eddy Grant | (9:16) | |
| Happiness Is Just Around the Bend | Brian Auger | Cuba Gooding | (6:58) |
| A Love Supreme [Arthur's Jazz House Mix] | Will Downing, John Coltrane | Will Downing | (5:51) |
| Back to the Scene of the Crime | Arthur Baker, |
(6:16) | |
| Put the Needle to the Record | (7:12) | ||
| Big Love [House Upon the Hill Mix] | Lindsey Buckingham | Fleetwood Mac | (6:20) |
| Breaker's Revenge | Arthur Baker | Arthur Baker | (7:16) |
| Play at Your Own Risk | Arthur Baker, |
(7:21) | |
| Planet Rock (Lyrics) | Arthur Baker, Afrika Bambaataa, |
Afrika Bambaataa | (6:22) |
