The Pointer Sisters

Released at the height of their early '80s fame, this hits collection is a perfect example of why the Pointer Sisters were so big. Loaded with epic singles that blurred the line between R&B and straight pop, this 13-track mix includes older jams like "He's So Shy" as well as soundtrack classics such as "Neutron Dance." Great party music from the influential Oakland trio.

What a strange story. First they abandon retro chic for the Richard Perry mainstream, with three gems and much dreck to show for it--only the gems save the premature best-of that marked the departure of Perry's Elektra-distributed Planet label for RCA. After one ground-breaking hit, the only decent regular-release album of their lengthy career adds three more classics to their oeuvre, all in the perfervid robot-disco style of "I'm So Excited." And then--and here's the really weird part--it's over. Five years after Break Out, with scads of failed group and solo projects behind and a Motown contract ahead, this postmature best-of lives and dies with the same four robot-disco classics (remixed, though at least not newly remixed) and the same three mainstream gems. I hate to think what they spent their money on. (Grade - A-)