Break The Chains by Jake & Sharon Hottell: A Hidden Gem from 1985
If you're into music that feels like a warm hug for your soul, Break The Chains might just be the album you didn’t know you needed. Released in 1985 on Horizon Records and Tapes (NM), this record blends Electronic, Folk, World, and Country vibes with New Age and Downtempo styles. It’s not flashy or loud—it’s more like sitting by a campfire while someone tells you stories through sound.
The husband-and-wife duo, Jake and Sharon Hottell, crafted something special here. This isn’t your typical “hit singles” kind of album; it’s deeper than that. Two tracks really stuck with me after listening: “Love One Another” and “Break The Chains.” Let me tell ya why.
“Love One Another” kicks things off with this gentle, almost hypnotic rhythm. You can feel the care put into every note—it’s got this earthy, acoustic vibe mixed with soft synths that make it feel timeless. I mean, how do you not get lost in those layers? It’s one of those songs where you close your eyes and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely. Maybe it’s cheesy, but there’s something comforting about its simplicity. Like, yeah, we all need reminders to love each other, right? But this track doesn’t shove it down your throat—it whispers it instead.
Then there’s the title track, “Break The Chains.” Wow, talk about setting a mood! It starts slow, building up with these haunting vocals and an electronic pulse that feels like it’s echoing from another dimension. By the time the chorus hits, you’re fully immersed. There’s this raw energy to it, like breaking free from whatever’s holding you back. Honestly, it gave me goosebumps. I kept replaying it because it felt so cinematic—like the soundtrack to some emotional breakthrough scene in a movie.
Other standout tunes include “El Rio de los Delores,” which has this dreamy, wandering quality, and “Believe In Yourself,” which is exactly the pep talk you didn’t realize you needed today. Even the quirky “I’m Your Singing Song” throws in a playful twist that keeps the album fresh.
What makes Break The Chains stand out is how unpolished yet intentional it feels. These aren’t perfect studio productions—they’re real moments captured in time. And maybe that’s why it resonates so much. It’s human. Flawed. Beautiful.
So, would I recommend this album? Absolutely. Whether you’re into New Age chill vibes or just looking for something different, this one’s worth a spin. Plus, it’s kinda wild to think this came out in ’85—it still holds up!
Random thought though: if aliens ever landed and asked us what Earth sounds like, I’d hand them this album. No joke.
