Month: November 2024

November 8, 2024

Paul Parker – One Look (One Look Was Enough) (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987

“One Look (One Look was Enough),” released in 1987, is a quintessential dance anthem by San Francisco-based Hi-NRG artist Paul Parker. Produced by Parker himself alongside Man Parrish, this single took the dance floors by storm and secured Parker his second #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart. With its pulsating beats, electrifying synth lines, and Parker’s unmistakable, powerful vocals, “One Look” exemplifies the freestyle and Hi-NRG styles that dominated the late 80s. The track remains a staple of the era, highlighting Parker’s influential role in shaping the high-energy dance music that filled clubs and captivated audiences worldwide.

SIDE A:
One Look (One Look Was Enough) (Extended Dance Mix) 6:08
Mixed By – Randy Easterling

SIDE B
One Look (One Look Was Enough) (The Man Parrish Mix) 6:38
Mixed By – Man Parrish

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	One Look (One Look Was Enough)	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Dice Records – TGR 1011, Dice Records – TGR-1011, Dice Records – 1011
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: HiNRG, Freestyle, Electro

CREDITS:

Administrator [Administration] – Scott Williams (32)
Artwork – Joy Thomas (2)
Coordinator – Gary Gibson (3)
Engineer – Man Parrish, Phil Mehaffey
Engineer [Assistance] – Della Sahnger
Graphics, Design – Francine Dali
Management – Ken Crivello
Mastered By – Tom Coyne
Producer – Man Parrish, Paul Parker
Producer [Post Production] – Tom Weisser
Promotion – Bob Davis (23)
Written-By – P. Parker*

NOTES:
A. Mixed for A Maze Productions
Engineered for Cyberteknics and for Network Sound Studio.
Mastered for Frankford-Wayne, NYC

Jacket Made in Canada

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: 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:
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 Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

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

November 7, 2024

Howard Jones – Things Can Only Get Better (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985

NEW 2024 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!

Original post date: January 20, 2013

“Things Can Only Get Better” by Howard Jones is an iconic track that captures the upbeat, positive energy of the mid-80s synthpop era. Released in 1985 as the lead single from his second studio album, Dream Into Action, the song was an immediate hit, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and #6 in the UK charts. Known for its infectious optimism, “Things Can Only Get Better” became an anthem of resilience and hope, qualities that resonated with fans worldwide.

The track showcases Jones’ skillful blend of synthesizers, upbeat rhythms, and introspective lyrics. Musically, it features a prominent bassline, funky guitar riffs, and a brass section that adds an extra layer of excitement to the track. The song’s melody is uplifting, with Jones’ dynamic vocals driving home the theme of perseverance. His lyrics focus on pushing through life’s challenges and remaining hopeful, with the refrain “Things can only get better” embodying the core message of positivity.

Jones, who had already made waves with hits like “New Song” and “What Is Love?”, continued to solidify his place in the 80s music scene with this release. Not only did Dream Into Action go on to become a commercial success, but the single also helped define his image as a thoughtful pop artist. Jones’s brand of synthpop was different in that he combined the new wave, electronic feel with introspective, almost philosophical lyrics—an approach that set him apart in a decade where flashy beats often took center stage.

“Things Can Only Get Better” has been widely regarded as a classic 80s anthem, even appearing in films, TV shows, and commercials over the years. Its infectious optimism still resonates today, and its message of hope continues to be a source of inspiration for listeners across generations.

SIDE A:
Things Can Only Get Better (LP Version) 4:05
What Is Love? (New Extended Version) 6:34
Lyrics By – Howard Jones, William Bryant (3)
Music By – Howard Jones

SIDE B:
Things Can Only Get Better (Extended Version) 7:26
New Song (New Version) 4:53

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985	Things Can Only Get Better	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#5
1985	Things Can Only Get Better	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	#28
1985	Things Can Only Get Better	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play	#10
1985	Things Can Only Get Better	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#54
1985	Things Can Only Get Better	U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks	#21

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Elektra ‎– 0-66915
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo, Yellow Sleeve
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Rupert Hine
Recorded By, Mixed By – Stephen W. Tayler
Written-By – Howard Jones (tracks: A1, B1, B2)

NOTES:
Produced for Gestalt.
Mastered at Sterling.

Picture sleeve available in 3 other colors pink, white, and orange.

Printed in U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

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

November 4, 2024

Honoring the Legacy of Quincy Jones: A Monumental Influence on Music

The music world has lost a true legend with the passing of Quincy Jones, an icon whose influence spanned genres, generations, and continents. Known for his unmatched contributions as a producer, composer, arranger, and visionary, Quincy Jones was a force of nature in the industry, forever changing the landscape of popular music.

A Career Like No Other

Quincy Jones’s career began in the 1950s, where he first made waves as a jazz trumpeter and later as a skilled arranger and composer. By the 1960s, he had expanded his talents, producing and arranging for legendary artists, including Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. Over the decades, his work with Michael Jackson, most notably on the albums “Off the Wall”, “Thriller”, and “Bad”, cemented his place in music history. “Thriller” remains the best-selling album of all time, a testament to Jones’s genius for blending genres and elevating pop music to an art form.

But his achievements didn’t stop there. Jones was also a trailblazer in film and television scoring, creating soundtracks that were just as innovative and moving as his studio albums. He worked on classics like “The Italian Job” and the theme song for “Sanford and Son”, which showed his versatility and grasp of popular culture.

Shaping the Sound of the 80s

For those of us who treasure 80s and 90s music, Quincy Jones’s work was nothing short of magical. He helped shape the era with a distinct sound that was bold, innovative, and unapologetically modern. Tracks like “Billie Jean” and “P.Y.T.” set the dance floors ablaze, while songs like “Human Nature” and “The Lady in My Life” showed his talent for blending soul, jazz, and pop. His work was influential across all realms of music, from hip-hop sampling to electronic remixes, making his mark on countless 12” singles from that era.

A Lasting Legacy

Quincy Jones wasn’t just a music producer; he was a cultural ambassador, a man with an uncanny ability to bridge worlds and bring people together through music. He won 28 Grammy Awards over his lifetime, was a Kennedy Center Honoree, and earned countless accolades, but his impact was far greater than any award could capture. Quincy Jones created a legacy that will endure as long as music exists, inspiring artists to push boundaries, take risks, and speak to the heart of humanity.

The World Remembers

As we reflect on Quincy’s passing, we remember a man who never stopped innovating, who challenged what was possible, and who left an indelible mark on the world. From his early days in jazz clubs to his final productions, his contributions were nothing short of phenomenal. Let us celebrate the life and legacy of Quincy Jones, whose music will continue to inspire, uplift, and unite us all.

A Final Note

Quincy Jones’s influence on music and culture is impossible to overstate. He shaped decades of music and inspired generations of artists. His loss will be felt deeply, but his spirit lives on in every note, beat, and harmony he helped create. The music world mourns today, but his legacy will continue to burn bright.

Rest in peace, Quincy Jones, and thank you for everything.

-DjPaulT

November 1, 2024

Andy Gibb / David Shire – Shadow Dancing / Manhattan Skyline (US 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1978

NEW 2024 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: March 1, 2013

“Shadow Dancing” is a hit disco track by English singer Andy Gibb, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive seven weeks in 1978. Produced and arranged by Albhy Galuten, with contributions from Barry Gibb, the song marked a peak in Andy’s chart success. In July of that year, Andy performed “Shadow Dancing” at Miami’s Jai-Alai Fronton Studios, where Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb unexpectedly joined him on stage. This was the first time all four Gibb brothers performed together live.

According to Billboard’s Book of Number One Hits, Andy Gibb became the first solo artist in U.S. pop history to see his first three singles reach the number-one spot. “Shadow Dancing” was not only the top single of 1978 on Billboard’s year-end chart but also peaked at number eleven on the soul chart, selling 2.5 million copies in the U.S. alone.

The song was a collaboration among Andy and his brothers—Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb—written in Los Angeles while the three elder brothers worked on the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Andy recalled, “One night, while we were relaxing, we started working on tracks for my album Shadow Dancing, which later reached #7 on the U.S. album chart. In just ten minutes, we had a group going with the chorus.” This track became Andy’s final U.S. chart-topper, though he would achieve three more Top 10 hits in America.

On March 5, 1988, Andy Gibb celebrated his 30th birthday in London, in the midst of working on a new album. Tragically, just five days later, on March 10, he passed away from myocarditis—an inflammation of the heart muscle brought on by a recent viral infection and worsened by his years of cocaine abuse.

The B-side of this 12″ release features “Manhattan Skyline,” an instrumental by American composer David Shire. This track, from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, reflects Shire’s expertise in film, television, and stage musicals.

Denotes vinyl-only

SIDE A:
Andy Gibb – Shadow Dancing (Special Disco Version)+ 6:06
Producer – Albhy Galuten, Barry Gibb, Karl Richardson
Written-By – Andy Gibb, Barry Gibb-Robin Gibb-Maurice Gibb*

SIDE B:
David Shire – Manhattan Skyline (Instrumental) 4:43
Producer – Bill Oakes, David Shire
Written-By – David Shire

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1978	Shadow Dancing	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1978	Shadow Dancing	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	#8
1978	Shadow Dancing	U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	#11

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RSO – RPO 1000
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Disco, Funk

NOTES:
12″ housed in a white jacket with front title/artist text. Gold stamped rear.

A:
Produced by arrangement with The Robert Stigwood Organisation.
Extended version from Andy Gibb’s forthcoming album “Shadow Dancing” RS-1-3034

B:
From the RSO Records Soundtrack Album “Saturday Night Fever” RS-2-4001

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

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