Burning The Ground Exclusive
To continue the Burning the Ground celebration of Pride Month, we shine a well-deserved spotlight on a dazzling deep cut from the legendary Tina Turner — a woman whose strength, style, and soul have long made her an icon in the LGBTQ+ community.
Released only in Australia in 1979, Love Explosion (Extended Version) clocks in at 7:00 of pure dancefloor fire. Produced by Alec R. Costandinos (of Cerrone and Love & Kisses fame), known for his orchestral Eurodisco arrangements, this special mix pulses with glittering strings, driving basslines, and Tina’s unmistakable vocals — raw, sexy, and full of power. This is disco at its most cinematic, and Tina sounds like she’s conquering galaxies with every breath.
The B-side, “Sunset on Sunset,” cools things down into a sizzling rock groove — perfectly capturing that post-party moment when the city still hums with electric possibility.
While the Love Explosion album was overlooked at the time, tracks like this remind us how Tina was never afraid to experiment or push boundaries, both musically and personally.
What makes this post especially meaningful during Pride Month is that Tina Turner was widely considered a queer ally. She was an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and a beacon for those struggling with identity, self-expression, or escaping trauma. In 1982, she performed at the inaugural Gay Games, and she remained a consistent supporter of HIV/AIDS charities throughout the ’80s and beyond. Her music — and her story of resilience — inspired countless LGBTQ+ fans around the world.
So as we celebrate Pride and the music that moves us, let’s raise the volume for Love Explosion — a fierce, fabulous anthem from a woman who always knew how to ignite our hearts.
With love and rhythm,
Paul (DJPaulT)
SIDE A:
Love Explosion (Extended Version) 7:00
SIDE B:
Sunset On Sunset 3:36
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Interfusion – X13055
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition
Country: Australia
Released: 1979
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Disco, Rhythm & Blues
CREDITS:
- Lacquer Cut By – P*
- Producer – Alec R. Costandinos
NOTES:
Super Giant 45 RPM
From the Interfusion album “Love Explosion” LP 7085
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject 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
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Back in the 90’s I met a friend-of-a-friend visiting here in Toronto from San Francisco, we was from the 70s vintage San Fran gay crowd. Talk turned to Tina T. and he had a tear in his eye reminiscing about a show Tina put on there he made it sound like gays from far and wide traveled there to see her it was an important memory for him, she was a cherished supporter of the community.
Both Ike & Tina’s as well as Tina’s solo catalogs have been released on a zillion labels in the US not to mention worldwide until she signed with Capitol-EMI in 1984 with the amazing Private Dancer album. The original Love Explosion album was reissued in 2014 as was Tina Takes The Country On!, both on EMI/Parlophone, made in Germany, so it won’t get any better than this, folks, as it’s been out of print since 1996 as neither of these were properly promoted by United Artists in the ’70s as they didn’t know what to do with a “black artist”… Read more »
I am here for this Pride month mix tape you are building. I have never heard this track and I LOVE it. Thanks for the intro.
Yes, Conner!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this Pride Month musical journey! 🌈 It’s all about celebrating joy, discovery, and a few deep cuts along the way — and I love that this track was a new one for you. That’s what makes sharing these songs so rewarding. Thanks for being here and vibing with us!
—Paul
I’m going to tell you my Tina Turner story, which no one ever believes but I promise is absolutely true. In early Spring of 1984, I was living in London. On a random day off, I was walking on New Bond Street (high-end fashion location) when my Walkman slipped off my belt and I learned over to pick it up. And I was leaning down, an expensive car with dark windows pulled up a few feet ahead of me. A pair of exquisite legs on high heels came out of the open back door. I thought “Those legs are beautiful!”… Read more »
That’s quite an anecdote VanceMan! Thanks for sharing!
VanceMan, what an amazing story — and I 100% believe you!! What a surreal, magical brush with greatness. And of course it would be those legs that caught your attention first — how very Tina! 😄 It’s wild to think she was just on the cusp of becoming a global solo phenomenon, still able to glide through London with quiet grace. Thank you so much for sharing that moment — it really brings her legendary presence to life. I’m thrilled this post introduced you to the extended mix — it’s a sizzling gem that absolutely deserves more love!
—Paul
Hey VanceMan,
I loved reading this! What an extremely cool experience! Something to cherish always!!
Have a great day!
Jeff
Thank you for this gem, Paul! A real sizzler 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
This is a real “explosion” of a rarity Paul! Like many in my generation, Tina owned the 80s and that’s where our fandom begins. So this is a real curiosity to say the least! I would say this was certainly a pitstop along her road to global domination, and a real danceable one at that, Lol! Thank you for the education and the music Paul!! Have great weekend, and you too Jeff, ING and all the rest!
Right? It really is a blast from the glittery past! I’m so glad you called it a “pitstop” — that’s the perfect way to describe this era for Tina. Not quite the powerhouse pop reign of the ’80s yet, but you can hear the fire in her voice and the ambition in the production. Definitely a fascinating chapter in her journey to icon status. Thank you for always tuning in and sharing the joy — have a fantastic weekend too! 💥🪩
—Paul
As a child/teen of the 70/80’s it was impossible to not know of her career restart and be somewhat familiar with her Ike days- because that’d be our parents’ generation of music.
And what a restart it was! Even Erasure did a cover so, yeah, the 80’s belong in part to Tina (no last name needed).
That being said, I’ve always been curious about her solo 70’s stuff but never jumped in. “Tina sounds like she’s conquering galaxies with every breath.” Now if that doesn’t re-peak one’s curiosity nothing will!
Thx 😊
Exactly! That generational overlap really put Tina in a unique space — part legacy, part rebirth, and totally unstoppable. Her ’80s comeback was monumental, but there’s something so fascinating about this transitional period. It’s like she was warming up to launch into orbit — and I’m thrilled this track sparked your curiosity again! Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment and for being part of the ride. 😊
—Pau
This record is seriously, a take me to church moment!! Or, more likely a bedroom moment!! Just from watching the video, I’m in a sweltering mess!! Ms. Tina is igniting and burning with a white-hot flame!! I’ve never heard of this record, so thank you, Paul!! It’s a scorcher!! I can’t wait to hear the extended version!! I feel exhilarated and revved-up for the day and the weekend!! It’s an amazing song, Paul, and certainly lights my “roman candle” to the point of having a crescendo!! You can certainly pick them, DjPaulT!! Paul, it’s been a tremendous week and I’m… Read more »
Jeff, you’ve got me fanning myself just reading this!! 🔥 You are absolutely right — this record is pure heat and Tina is giving everything. Bedroom moment? Check. Church moment? Amen! It’s one of those hidden gems that deserved a spotlight, and I’m thrilled it lit your “roman candle” (what a line!!). Thank you for bringing your incredible energy all week — it’s infectious and such a joy to read.
Wishing you a fabulous, feel-good weekend full of sonic sparks — and yes, maybe keep a cold shower on standby! 😄
—Paul