Tag: Erasure

Erasure – The Circus (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

“The Circus” is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in September 1987 as the band’s seventh single overall. It is also the title track on their second album, The Circus.

The album version clocks at 5.30 minutes, so the song was remixed for the single release to a much more radio-friendly 3:50 minutes. Mute Records issued it as the fourth and final single from the album.

Written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, “The Circus” was a departure from the shiny pop of their six previous singles, creating a more down-tempo and melancholy mood. Essentially a synthpop track, the music is accentuated by acoustic guitar and a continuous circus-like accordion. The lyrics touch on social issues, rare for the duo, and center on the lament of “working men”, whose bright futures and job securities are left shattered in the modern world of greedy corporations and technology.

The song’s distinctive and unusual sound is said to have been inspired by Bell hearing a record being played backward.

Despite its haunting quality and dark lyrical content, “The Circus” became Erasure’s third UK Top 10 hit, peaking at number six.

SIDE A:
The Circus (Gladiator Mix) 6:08
Remix – Dave Powell

The Circus (Decay Mix) 5:33
Remix – Paul Kendall

SIDE B:
The Circus (Bareback Mix) 6:36
Mixed By – Pascal Gabriel

The Circus (DJ Mix) 3:52
Remix – Flood

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire ‎– 0-20822, Mute ‎– 0-20822, Sire ‎– 9 20822-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Artwork – Company Me*
Backing Vocals – Derek Smith (3), Steve Myers
Mastered By [Side 2 Runout Etching ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀] – Brian Gardner
Producer – Flood
Written-By – Clarke/Bell

NOTES:
A1 remixed at Konk.
A2 remixed at Blackwing.
B2 remixed at Trident Studios. Flood’s DJ Mix is an edit of the album version that is faster and pitched higher.

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: Schiit Mani
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

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

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Erasure – Oh L’Amour (Germany 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986

“Oh L’amour” is a song by English synthpop duo Erasure, released in April 1986 as their third single.

It was issued by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S. to herald the June release of Erasure’s debut album Wonderland, but became the third consecutive commercial failure for the band in both territories. Despite its low chart placing, “Oh L’amour” has proven to be one of Erasure’s signature songs, due to its popularity in dance clubs. It remains a favourite among fans, particularly when performed live.

The single reached #86 on the UK singles chart and #3 US dance chart.

First pressings came with a Thomas the Tank Engine logo on the back cover, which was withdrawn due to legal issues.

In Germany the 12″ was released including an ultra rare German version which featured vocals by Susanne Störrle.

SIDE A:
Oh L’Amour (PWL Funky Sisters Say ‘Ooh La La’ Mix) 7:13
Remix – Funky Sisters*
Written-By – Clarke/Bell

SIDE B:
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (Remix) 4:43
Producer – Erasure
Remix – Paul Kendall
Written-By – Benny Anderson*, Bjorn Ulvaeus*

Oh L’Amour (German Version) 3:33
Lyrics By [German Lyrics] – Daisy Dörmann
Producer – Flood
Vocals – Susanne Störrle
Written-By – Clarke/Bell

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1986 Oh L’Amour U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #3

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mute ‎– INT 126.848, Mute ‎– L 12 Mute 45
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Repress
Country: Germany
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

NOTES:
From the album “WONDERLAND”

Find the 12″ 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 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
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

Erasure – Victim Of Love (Limited Edition Remix) (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

“Victim of Love” is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in May 1987 as their sixth single overall.

It was the third single to be lifted from the duo’s second album, The Circus, released six weeks earlier, and was remixed for single release.

The song was written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and incorporates the signature Erasure sound of uptempo rhythm, analog synthesizer and a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell’s lyrics pertain to one’s apprehension when entering into a new love relationship. The song’s protagonist doesn’t “want to look like some kind of fool” or become a “victim of love”.

Upon its release, “Victim of Love” became the second UK Top 10 single for Erasure, peaking at number seven. “Victim of Love” also hit number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (Clarke and Bell would have to wait eighteen years before their second U.S. Dance chart-topper “Breathe”).

The song remains one of Erasure’s signature tunes and is a concert favorite.

SIDE A:
Victim Of Love (Vixenvitesse Mix) 5:41
Remix – Daniel Miller, Rico Conning

Soldier’s Return (Machinery Mix) 5:00
Producer – Erasure, E.C. Radcliffe*
Remix – E.C. Radcliffe*

SIDE B:
Victim Of Love (Extended Mix) 6:56
Mixed By – Mr. Mixmaster Phil Harding*

Victim Of Love (Dub Mix) 3:24
Mixed By – Mr. Mixmaster Phil Harding*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 Victim Of Love U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #1
1987 Victim Of Love U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales #37

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire ‎– 0-20740, Sire ‎– 9 20740-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design [Designed By] – Me Co.*
Producer – Flood (tracks: A1, B1, B2)
Written-By – Clarke/Bell

NOTES:
Track A1 remixed at Guerilla.
Tracks B1 and B2 remixed at P.W.L.

Original version of “Victim Of Love” available on the Erasure album ‘The Circus’ on Sire Records.

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

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 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
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
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

Erasure – A Little Respect (US 12″ Promo)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988

“A Little Respect” is a song written and recorded by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in September 1988 as their tenth single. It was issued as the third European (and second American) single from their album The Innocents.

Known as one of their signature songs, “A Little Respect” continued Erasure’s success on the UK Singles Chart, where it hit number four to become the band’s fifth Top 10 single. It was also Erasure’s second consecutive Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it climbed to number 14, and hit number two on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In the U.K. Mark Saunders and Phil Legg provided the remixes, for the U.S. the remixes were made by Justin Strauss.

Written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the heavily synthesized instrumentation is accentuated by acoustic guitar and Bell’s use of falsetto in the chorus. The lyrics are a plea to a lover to show compassion and respect.

This U.S. 12″ promo contains exclusive vinyl only mixes.

SIDE A:
A Little Respect (LP Version) 3:33
Engineer – Bob Kraushaar

A Little Respect (12″ Vocal) 6:26
Computer [Additional Programming] – Eric Kupper
Engineer – Hugh Dwyer*
Producer [Additional], Remix – Justin Strauss

A Little Respect (12″ Dub) 6:38
Computer [Additional Programming] – Eric Kupper
Engineer – Hugh Dwyer*
Producer [Additional], Remix – Justin Strauss

SIDE B:
A Little Respect (12″ Remix-UK) 6:35
Engineer – Bob Kraushaar
Remix – Mark Saunders

A Little Respect (12″ House Mix) 6:43
Computer [Additional Programming] – Eric Kupper
Engineer – Hugh Dwyer*
Producer [Additional], Remix – Justin Strauss

A Little Respect (12″ House Dub) 6:47
Computer [Additional Programming] – Eric Kupper
Engineer – Hugh Dwyer*
Producer [Additional], Remix – Justin Strauss

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1988 A Little Respect U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #14
1988 A Little Respect U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #2

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire ‎– PRO-A-3365
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Stephen Hague

NOTES:
Promotional copy housed in unique sleeve.
From the Erasure LP “THE INNOCENTS”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

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 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi