Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Breakwater

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Click below for a Breakwater sample:

Obscure Philly soul collective that recorded for Arista in the late 70s. The members were James Jones (drums), Kae Williams (keyboards), Steve Green (bass), Gene Robinson (vocals), John Braddock (percussion), Lincoln Gilmore (guitar) and horn players Greg Scott and Cince Garnell. Williams' father, Kae Sr., enjoyed a 40 year career as an influential Philly radio broadcaster and promoter.

Between 1978 and 1980 Breakwater charted three minor hits. The best known of these is "Work It Out," a rare groove staple. The first album has become a soul classic, in the vein of the Capitol Rare sound. They broke up after Splashdown, after which Kae Williams became a freelance musician involved with projects by Change, the BBQ Band and Hi Gloss. Producer Rick Chertoff later worked with Cyndi Lauper, Sophie B. Hawkins and Air Supply.

Breakwater's Deepest Grooves

Breakwater (Arista, 1978)
Classic LP with "Work It Out," "Feel Your Way," "Do It Til The Fluid Gets Hot" and "No Limit." Reissued on vinyl for the last few years.

Splashdown (Arista, 1980)
More obscure than the first LP (if that's possible), worth checking out for "Time" and "Say You Love Me Girl." Also available as a vinyl reissue.