Category: ABC

ABC – When Smokey Sings (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

“When Smokey Sings” is a song by English band ABC, released as the first single from their fourth studio album, Alphabet City (1987). The lyrics and title of the song are a tribute to R&B and soul singer Smokey Robinson. In the United States, Robinson himself was on the Billboard 100 pop chart with his single “One Heartbeat” at the same time as this tribute song; for the week ending 3 October 1987, both songs were in the Billboard Top 10 simultaneously.

“When Smokey Sings” and its B-side, “Chicago” also topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart and proved to be their second American Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. There is a slight difference in the lyrics between the album and single version in the bridge of the song.

In the album version, references are made to “Luther”, “Sly”, “James”, and “Marvin” (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly Stone, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye, respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.

Pitchfork Media was favorable for the Miami Mix, saying “can you fuck with…the proto–freestyle of the “Miami mix” of ABC’s “When Smokey Sings”?…No, of course, you cannot.”

The bass line of the song is a homage to Robinson’s composition, “The Tears of a Clown.” Smokey Robinson himself praised the song, saying, “Well, of course, that’s a form of flattery, and I really appreciate it.”

SIDE A:
When Smokey Sings (Miami Mix) 7:03
Mixed By – Phil “Mixmaster” Harding*

Chicago (Parts I & II) 6:37
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn

SIDE B:
When Smokey Sings (7″ Version) 4:23
Mixed By –Julian Mendelsohn

When Smokey Sings (Bonus Beats) 4:39
Mixed By – Phil “Mixmaster” Harding*

When Smokey Sings (Detroit Mix) 6:45
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 When Smokey Sings U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #5
1987 When Smokey Sings U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #2
1987 When Smokey Sings U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #1
1987 When Smokey Sings U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales #8

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury ‎– 888 726-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer – Martyn Webster (tracks: A1, B1 to B3)
Producer – Bernard Edwards (tracks: A1, B1 to B3), Mark White, Martin Fry
Written-By – Mark White, Martin Fry

NOTES:
From the forthcoming Mercury album “Alphabet City”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

ABC – Vanity Kills (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986

“Vanity Kills” is a song by English new wave and synth-pop band ABC, released as the third single from their third studio album, How to Be a … Zillionaire! It peaked at No. 70 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 91 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

SIDE A:
Vanity Kills (U.S.A. Remix) 5:38
Mixed By – Mark Stent

SIDE B:
ABC Megamix 8:52
Compiled By – Les “Mixdoctor” Adams*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1986 Vanity Kills U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #91
1986 Vanity Kills U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #5

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury ‎– 884 714-1, Mercury ‎– 884-714-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Picture Sleeve Edition
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Arranged By – Mark White
Design – DKB, London*, Keith Breeden
Engineer – Martyn Webster, Warne Livesey (tracks: A)
Management [Abc Managed In U.s.a. By] – Nu-Visions Management Ltd.
Photography – David Levine
Producer – Mark White, Martin Fry
Written-By – M. White*, M. Fry*

NOTES:
Printed in U.S.A.

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

ABC Featuring Lady Contessa V – The Night You Murdered Love (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

“The Night You Murdered Love” is a song by English band ABC, released as the second single from their fourth studio album, Alphabet City (1987). It peaked at No. 31 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Dance chart “The Night You Murdered Love” was also a top 40 seller on Billboard Maxi-Singles sales chart reaching No. 33.

SIDE A:
The Night You Murdered Love (Sheer Chic Mix) 6:32
Mixed By – Pete Hammond, The Funky Sisters

Minneapolis 2:57

SIDE B:
The Night You Murdered Love (The Whole Story) 8:14
Rap [Featuring] – Contessa Lady V

The Night You Murdered Love (The Reply) 4:50
Rap [Featuring] – Contessa Lady V

The Night You Murdered Love (Bonus Beats) 4:53

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 The Night You Murdered Love U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #3
1987 The Night You Murdered Love U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Maxi-Singles Sales #33

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury ‎– 888 894-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer – Martyn Webster (tracks: B1 to B3)
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn (tracks: B1 to B3)
Producer – Bernard Edwards (tracks: A1, B1 to B3), Mark White, Martin Fry
Written-By – Mark White, Martin Fry

NOTES:
Contessa Lady V is credited on sleeve cover as “Featuring”, but only appears on B1 & B2.
Original version of “The Night You Murdered Love” on the Mercury LP “ALPHABET CITY”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

Vinyl Restoration bY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

 

Band Aid – Band Aid Special (Japan LP)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

Probably my biggest undertaking to date since I usually do not transfer full albums. I have been working on this off and on over the last rew days and I think it turned out nicely. The Japan pressings always sound very good. I realize this album was released on CD however I prefer vinyl and for those of you who share that love I really hope you enjoy this collection.

Happy, Merry Christmas! -DjPaulT

“Band Aid Special” is a 1985 album compiled by Mercury Records in Japan, released on March 31, 1985 a few months after the release of the single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”. This compilation contains all three mixes of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”that were originally released on 12” single. The rest of the album was filled artists that were involved with the recording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, along with other artists to fill out the album.

The album was re-issued in December 1985 under the title “Rock ‘Now” 12 Hits!”.

Band Aid is a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians and recording artists.was founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” for the Christmas market that year. On 25 November 1984, the song was recorded at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, and was released in the UK four days later. The single surpassed the hopes of the producers to become the Christmas number one on that release. The 12″ version was mixed by Trevor Horn.

SIDE A:
Band AidDo They Know It’s Christmas? (12″ Mix) 6:13
Engineer – Trevor Horn
Producer – Midge Ure, Trevor Horn
Remix – Trevor Horn
Written-By – Geldof*, Ure*

Big CountryIn A Big Country 3:52
Producer – Steve Lillywhite
Written-By – Big Country

Marilyn Calling Your Name 4:04
Producer – Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley
Written-By – Marilyn, Caplin*

Status QuoMarguerita Time 3:27
Producer – Quo*
Written-By – Frost*, Rossi*

The Boomtown Rats Tonight 3:53
Producer – The Boomtown Rats
Written-By – Bob Geldof

GenesisThat’s All  4:23
Producer – Genesis, Hugh Padgham
Written-By – Genesis

SIDE B:
Band AidDo They Know It’s Christmas? 3:53
Engineer – Steve Lipsom*
Producer – Midge Ure, Trevor Horn
Written-By – Geldof*, Ure*

BBon JoviRunaway 3:51
Producer – Lance Quinn, Tony Bongiovi
Written-By – G. Karak*, J. Bon Jovi*

Elton JohnSad Songs (Say So Much) 4:48
Producer – Chris Thomas
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin

ABCThe Look Of Love 3:29
Producer – Trevor Horn
Written-By – ABC

Tears For FearsMothers Talk 3:54
Backing Vocals – Stevie Lange
Producer – Chris Hughes
Written-By – Ian Stanley

Band AidFeed The World 4:16
Engineer – Steve Lipsom*
Producer – Midge Ure, Trevor Horn
Written-By – Geldof*, Ure*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI: Near Mint
Insert: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 25PP-161
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: Japan
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Alternative Rock, New Wave, Pop Rock, Synth-pop

NOTES:
Among super hits of prominent names included on this special compilation album are songs by The Boomtown Rats, Big Country, Genesis, Status Quo, and Marilyn who participated in the Band Aid project.

℗ 1985 Phonogram International, B.V.
Manufactured and Distributed by Nippon Phonogram Co., Ltd.
Made in Japan

Find the LP on DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi