Breaking Point

Breaking Point is the debut studio album by Britfunk band Central Line, released by Mercury Records in February 1982 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it was released under the name Central Line with a different track listing and artwork. Recorded with producer Roy Carter, formerly of Heatwave, the album features a distinctly English style of synth-funk similarly to contemporaries Hi-Tension and Light of the World. The record was well-received and reached number 64 on the UK Albums Chart and 145 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. The hit single "Walking Into Sunshine" was also remixed by Larry Levan and became a popular club hit in New York. In 2007, The Guardian included Breaking Point on their list of "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die". Background and recording Central Line, comprising Lipson Francis, Henry Defoe, Linton Beckles and Camelle Hinds, formed in London in April 1978. The line-up drew mostly from the defunct East London band TFB (Typical Funk Band), other members of which were drummer Errol Kennedy, later of Imagination, and trumpeter Kenny Wellington, later of Light of the World. The group's first single, "What We Got (It's Hot)", showcased a lively R&B-based dance sound, and led to the group touring with The Real Thing, Roy Ayers and Grover Washington Jr. Nonetheless, follow-up single "Sticks & Stones" flopped and the band altered their musical style for their February 1981 single "(You Know) You Can Do It", which became their first UK hit. With these singles, the group became pioneers of the early 1980s Britfunk sound, alongside Imagination, Light of the World and other groups. Central Line recorded Breaking Point in June and October 1981 at Scorpio Studios, Audio International Studios and London's Nova Sound Studios. The band recorded with producer Roy Carter, formerly of Heatwave, who also remixed "(You Know) You Can Do It" for the album, which had originally been produced by Bob Carter, The album was mixed at Utopia Studios by Greg Walsh, Pete Smith and Pete Walsh; Smith was also present for the recording. In a contemporary interview with Brian Chin of Billboard, Beckles described the sounds of Central Line and their British contemporaries as an advancement on late 1970s British jazz-funk and said of the group's inspiration: "We're trying to establish something from the hearts and minds of blacks in England, how they feel about music and life.