Waterfront – Cry (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Waterfront was a British pop duo made up of singer Phil Cilia and guitarist Chris Duffy. In 1988, the pair struck gold with their soulful debut single “Cry,” a heartfelt ballad that blended sophisticated pop with blue-eyed soul and a touch of adult contemporary polish. Released from their self-titled debut album, the song became an international hit and remains one of the most memorable one-hit wonders of the late 1980s.

Built around a smooth groove, emotional vocals, and a soaring chorus, “Cry” resonated strongly with radio audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, the single climbed all the way to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Waterfront’s only American chart hit. The song also found success in their home country, reaching #17 on the UK Singles Chart.

What made “Cry” stand out in 1989 was its understated sophistication. While much of pop radio at the time leaned heavily toward flashy production and bombastic hooks, Waterfront delivered something more mature and emotionally grounded. Phil Cilia’s expressive vocal performance gave the song a sincerity that connected immediately with listeners, while Chris Duffy’s tasteful instrumentation added warmth and texture.

The success of “Cry” helped Waterfront gain considerable exposure during the late 1980s, especially in the United States where MTV and adult contemporary radio embraced the single. The duo followed up with additional releases, but none managed to recreate the crossover success of their debut hit.

Listening today, “Cry” still sounds timeless. Its blend of soulful melodies and polished production captures the best elements of sophisticated late-80s pop. For many fans, the track remains a hidden gem of the era, one of those songs that instantly transports you back to a specific moment in time.

Whether you remember hearing it on late-night radio, catching the video on MTV, or discovering it years later, “Cry” remains a beautifully crafted pop song that deserved every bit of its chart success.

SIDE A:
Cry (Extended Version) 7:05
Remix – Bruce Forest

Cry (7″ Version) 3:51

SIDE B:
Cry (Club Mix) 6:32
Edited By – Roger Pauletta
Engineer [Remix] – P. Dennis Mitchell
Keyboards [Additional Programming] – Merv De Teyer
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Gail “Sky” King

Cry (Dub) 4:54
Edited By – Roger Pauletta
Engineer [Remix] – P. Dennis Mitchell
Keyboards [Additional Programming] – Merv De Teyer
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Gail “Sky” King

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Waterfront: Cry (1989) Peak Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 61
Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 30
UK Singles (OCC) 17
US Billboard Hot 100 10
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 2

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – 889 251-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
From the Polydor album 422 837 970-1 “WATERFRONT”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (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

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.

I appreciate your help.

 

Curiosity Killed The Cat – Free (UK 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in 1987, “Free” was the fifth and final single taken from the debut album Keep Your Distance by the British sophisti-pop band Curiosity Killed the Cat. Formed in London in 1980, the group consisted of singer Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, guitarist Julian Godfrey Brookhouse, bassist Nick Thorpe, and drummer Migi Drummond. While the band had already scored major UK success with singles like “Down to Earth” and “Misfit,” “Free” would become the closing chapter of an impressive run from their debut LP.

Built around a polished blend of funk-infused pop, soulful vocals, and sleek mid-80s production, “Free” showcased the band’s more reflective side. Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot’s unmistakable vocal style gives the track an emotional pull, while the sophisticated instrumentation perfectly captures the era’s smooth pop aesthetic. Although not as commercially successful as some of the group’s earlier singles, “Free” remains a favorite among fans of the band’s sophisticated sound.

“Free” reached #56 on the UK Singles Chart and climbed even higher in Ireland, peaking at #26. Interestingly, despite Curiosity Killed the Cat gaining some exposure internationally, the single was never released in the United States, making it somewhat of a hidden gem for American fans discovering the band years later through imports and compilations.

The parent album Keep Your Distance, released in 1986, became one of the defining sophisti-pop records of the decade. Produced by Stewart Levine, the LP delivered a string of stylish singles that blended pop hooks with jazz, funk, and soul influences. The album established Curiosity Killed the Cat as one of the standout British acts of the mid-80s scene.

The UK 12” single of “Free” featured a Dub version of the track along with additional versions that highlighted the band’s groove-oriented style. Like many British pop releases of the era, the extended format allowed the band’s musicianship and rhythmic arrangements more room to breathe, making it a sought-after release among collectors of 80s vinyl and extended mixes.

Though Curiosity Killed the Cat’s chart dominance would fade by the late 1980s, “Free” stands as a reminder of the elegance and sophistication that defined much of the UK pop scene during the decade. It remains a beautifully produced single that deserves rediscovery, especially for listeners who appreciate the refined sound of classic sophisti-pop.

SIDE A:
Free (Dub Master) 7:49

SIDE B:
Free 4:02
Free (Instrumental) 4:02

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Curiosity Killed The Cat: Free (1987)
Chart Peak Position Date
UK Singles Chart #56 1987
Ireland #26 1987

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – CATX 5, Mercury – 888-784-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Pop Rock

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Taken From The Album KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, Also Available On CD And Cassette.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (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

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.

I appreciate your help.

 

24-Bit Download Update, Archive Posts, And Important Changes

As many of you already know, we have been using MEGA for quite a while to host the 24-bit download files. Unfortunately, our account was recently suspended, so I have had to start using alternative file hosting services for larger files. The 24-bit downloads are too large to store directly on my personal web hosting service.

Going forward, you will now notice two separate 24-bit download buttons located at the bottom of each post. It has been brought to my attention that some browsers and devices do not always work properly with certain file hosting sites. If one link gives you trouble, please try the second option.

Please also keep in mind that the 24-bit files will now only remain active for up to six days. Most free file hosting services automatically remove files after that amount of time, so these links are only temporary.

This is one of the reasons I strongly encourage everyone to subscribe to the site’s email notifications, so you will know as soon as new posts go live and can grab the files before they disappear.

Also, for several years, I kept most posts published before 2015 set to private. I have now republished many of those posts for archive reading purposes only. Please note that none of the archive posts contain active download links.

From time to time, I do revisit and update these older posts with fresh new transfers. Since many of them were originally published, I have made major upgrades to my audio equipment and transfer chain, allowing me to significantly improve the sound quality of newer restorations.

Like the Pet Shop Boys once said, “If you don’t get that mix, it’s gone ’86.”

Thank you all for your continued support and understanding.

-DjPaulT

Sparks – I Predict (US 12″ Promo) (1982)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in February 1982, “I Predict” was the first single taken from Sparks’ eleventh studio album Angst In My Pants. By this point, brothers Ron and Russell Mael had fully embraced a slick synth-pop and new wave sound while continuing to deliver the eccentric humor and sharp satire that made them one of the most unique acts in popular music.

“I Predict” became Sparks’ first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 60 in May 1982. The achievement marked the duo’s first success on the U.S. singles chart since “Wonder Girl” in 1971, ending an eleven-year absence from the American Hot 100.

Produced by Mack, known for his work with Queen and Electric Light Orchestra, the track perfectly balanced quirky art-pop with polished early 80s production. Driven by sharp synthesizers, pulsing rhythms, and Russell Mael’s unmistakable falsetto, “I Predict” delivered one of Sparks’ most accessible singles while still maintaining their wonderfully bizarre sense of humor.

Lyrically, the song is classic Sparks, absurd, witty, and satirical. The narrator confidently predicts fame, scandal, and strange future events with complete sincerity, creating a surreal commentary on celebrity culture and media obsession years before reality television and viral fame became commonplace.

In the United States, a promotional 12-inch single was issued featuring an exclusive “Club Mix” of “I Predict,” available only on the promo release. The extended mix gave DJs a longer and more dancefloor-friendly version of the track, highlighting the layered synthesizer arrangements and quirky vocal passages that made Sparks stand apart from their contemporaries.

The music video made to accompany the single quickly became infamous during the early MTV era. The clip featured Ron Mael in drag performing a striptease dance routine in a Los Angeles nightclub while Russell lip-syncs the song’s lyrics. Because of the video’s more mature sexual themes and adult content, MTV generally limited airings to late-night hours or around midnight.

Over the years, the video has often been mistakenly credited to filmmaker David Lynch because of its surreal visual style. However, the book Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks credits the video to Steve and Doug Martin, who intentionally created the clip in a style inspired by Lynch’s work.

While “I Predict” was only a modest chart hit at the time, the single has grown into one of Sparks’ defining tracks from their early 80s period. The song perfectly captures the duo’s ability to combine sophisticated pop songwriting, experimental humor, and fearless visual presentation into something completely original. More than forty years later, “I Predict” still sounds daring, strange, and unmistakably Sparks.

SIDE A:
I Predict 2:52

SIDE B:
I Predict (Club Mix) 6;20

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Sparks: I Predict (1982)
Chart Peak Position Date
US Billboard Hot 100 #60 1982

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic – PR 429
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave

CREDITS:

NOTES:
PROMOTIONAL COPY
NOT FOR SALE
From Atlantic LP 19347 “ANGST IN MY PANTS”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Six Days!


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.