Instant Funk – Got My Mind Made Up (US 12″) (1978)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“I Got My Mind Made Up” is a 1978 disco-funk classic by Instant Funk, released on Salsoul Records. A defining track of the era, the song became a massive dancefloor hit, fusing deep funk grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and high-energy production.

From Simple R&B to a Club Anthem
The song’s original production was a simple 3-minute R&B track recorded on an 8-track tape, but that was only the beginning. It was transferred to 24-track tape at Blank Tapes, NYC, where producer Bunny Sigler and engineer Bob Blank began transforming it into a club anthem. Among the many enhancements, Bunny brought in a woman to deliver the now-iconic “Say what?” throughout the track. As she recorded, Bunny stood behind her, shouting instructions like “Scream!”, which were amplified and incorporated into the mix.

The Grueling Manual Remix Process
Remixing was a meticulous, manual process—no computerization was involved. Initially, legendary DJ Walter Gibbons attempted a remix but abandoned the project due to religious beliefs. Then, Ken Cayre, the owner of Salsoul Records, took a shot before it ultimately landed in the hands of Larry Levan. Working in Blank Tapes’ old Studio A, on a console without automation, the mix was assembled through painstaking tape splicing. To extend the groove that defines the song, four bars of the groove section were manually edited and repeated to create its now-familiar format. Bob Blank estimated that it took over 60 hours of mixing to finalize the versions that exist today.

The Legendary 12″ Versions
The original 12″ vinyl release of “I Got My Mind Made Up” featured what later became known as the “Disco Version”, running 9:46—marking Larry Levan’s second-ever remix credit! This version has appeared on all subsequent CD releases.

BUT… the flip-side of the 12″ featured a version running 7:11, a mix that has never been repressed or released in digital format—EVER! This makes the original 12″ pressing a sought-after collector’s item.

Chart Success & Lasting Influence
Upon release, “I Got My Mind Made Up” became a major success, spending three non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart, briefly interrupted by Sister Sledge’s “He’s the Greatest Dancer.” It also reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Disco chart, cementing its status as a dancefloor staple.

However, in a tragic turn of events, Salsoul Records removed and destroyed all of their multi-track masters from Blank Tapes in 1985—hundreds of recordings lost forever. Thankfully, some were saved by John Morales, and this master was one of them, preserving its legacy.

The song’s impact has lasted well beyond the disco era. Whether played in classic funk sets, sampled in modern productions, or rediscovered by new generations, “I Got My Mind Made Up” remains one of the most electrifying club anthems ever recorded.

*Vinyl-only

SIDE A:
I Got My Mind Made Up (Special 12 Inch Disco Mix) 9:46

SIDE B:
I Got My Mind Made Up (Special 12 Inch Disco Mix Edit)* 7:11

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1978	I Got My Mind Made Up	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#20
1978	I Got My Mind Made Up	U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	#1
1978	I Got My Mind Made Up	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance / Disco	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Salsoul Records – SG 207
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Indianapolis
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Disco

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Joe Cayre, Ken Cayre, Stan Cayre
Mixed By – Larry Levan
Producer – Bunny Sigler
Written-By – K. Miller*, R. Earl*, S. Miller*

NOTES:
Special 12 Inch Disco Mix
Produced for Bundino Productions

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.

March 4, 2025

Gardner Cole – Live It Up (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

This record has always been one of my guilty pleasures. I love its uplifting lyrics about embracing life no matter what comes your way—something that feels especially relevant right now. Blending freestyle, synth-pop, and house, the track boasts remixes by Keith Cohen, Steve Beltran, and Arthur Baker.

“Live It Up” was the debut single from singer-songwriter Gardner Cole, released in 1988. Featured on his album Triangles, the track fused pop, R&B, and dance influences, embodying the polished, radio-friendly production style of the late ’80s.

While the song only reached #91 on the Billboard Hot 100, it found greater success in the clubs, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Dance Chart in October 1988, where it spent seven weeks. Though not a major pop hit, “Live It Up” became a club favorite, showcasing Cole’s knack for infectious melodies and sleek production.

Beyond his own recordings, Gardner Cole was a prolific songwriter. He co-wrote Open Your Heart for Madonna and penned songs for major artists like Jody Watley and Tina Turner.

For Jody Watley, he co-wrote Most of All, a standout from her 1987 self-titled debut. Released as a single, it became a dance floor hit, reaching #11 on the Billboard Dance Chart.

For Tina Turner, he contributed to Whatever You Want, featured on her 19895album Wild’s Dreams. The song blended Turner’s signature rock and R&B sound with a refined mid-’90s production.

Though Live It Up didn’t turn Gardner Cole into a household name, his behind-the-scenes contributions left a lasting mark on pop and dance music, ensuring his influence lived on well beyond the charts.

SIDE A:
Live It Up (12″ Club Mix) 7:00
Remix – Keith Cohen, Steve Beltran

Live It Up (Dub) 7:18
Remix – Keith Cohen, Steve Beltran

Live It Up (Remix/Edit) 4:44
Remix – Keith Cohen, Steve Beltran

SIDE B:
Live It Up (12″ Remix) 7:26
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Arthur Baker

Live It Up (Acid Dub) 6:24
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Arthur Baker

Got Me Curious 3:58

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	Live It Up	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#91
1988	Live It Up	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance / Club Play	#13

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-21015
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Acid House, Synth-pop, Freestyle

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Michael Ostin
Producer – Gardner Cole
Written-By – Danny Sembello (tracks: A1 to A3, B1, B2), Gardner Cole

NOTES:
1 to A3, and B1/B2 From the Warner Bros. album △’s

B1/B2 Additional production and mix by Arthur Baker for Arthur Baker Inc.

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.

February 28, 2025

Teaser!

February 26, 2025

The Twelve-Inch Single: A Vinyl Revolution

While you’re waiting for me to post new music, I wanted to do something a little different with this post and talk about the history of the twelve-inch single.

For music collectors and DJs, the twelve-inch single is more than just a format—it’s a piece of history. Emerging in the mid-1970s and reaching its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, the twelve-inch single changed the way we experienced music. With extended remixes, deeper bass, and dynamic sound quality, it became the preferred format for dance, disco, and electronic music fans.

The Birth of the Twelve-Inch Single

The twelve-inch single was born out of necessity. In the early 1970s, DJs in New York’s burgeoning disco scene were looking for ways to keep the dancefloor energized. Standard seven-inch singles didn’t provide the sonic depth or length needed for club play, while albums often didn’t focus on the beats and rhythms DJs required. Enter Tom Moulton, the man often credited with pioneering the format. Moulton, a remix legend, experimented with longer edits of songs and found that pressing them onto twelve-inch vinyl allowed for louder cuts, better bass response, and longer grooves.

The first commercially released twelve-inch single was “Ten Percent” by Double Exposure in 1976, released by Salsoul Records. It set the standard for what would become a defining format of dance music.

Technical Advantages of the Twelve-Inch

Wider Grooves: Less distortion and louder playback.
Higher Fidelity: More detail in sound and reduced surface noise.
Extended Playtime: Typically pressed at 45 RPM for better quality.
Deeper Bass Response: Essential for club sound systems.

The Twelve-Inch Boom of the 1980s

While disco may have ignited the format, the twelve-inch single found its true golden era in the 1980s. Record labels saw its potential for promoting artists, allowing for remixes, alternate versions, and even exclusive tracks that never appeared on albums. It became a staple for artists across genres, from pop to rock to new wave.

Producers and remixers such as Arthur Baker, Shep Pettibone, Jellybean Benitez, François Kevorkian, and Trevor Horn elevated the twelve-inch remix to an art form. Some of the most iconic twelve-inch singles of the decade include:

New Order – “Blue Monday” (1983): One of the best-selling twelve-inch singles of all time, this track featured an extended arrangement that defined electronic music.
Madonna – “Into the Groove” (1985): The twelve-inch version showcased an extended mix that took the song beyond its radio-friendly format.
Depeche Mode – “Strangelove” (1987): A perfect example of how a twelve-inch remix could transform a song into a club anthem.
Duran Duran – “The Reflex” (1984, Nile Rodgers Remix): This extended version became more famous than the original album cut.

The Remix Culture

The twelve-inch single wasn’t just about longer versions—it became the foundation of remix culture. DJs and producers had the freedom to experiment with alternate arrangements, dub mixes, acapella versions, and instrumental cuts. Extended intros and breakdowns gave club DJs more flexibility in their sets, while the additional space allowed for creative reworkings of songs.

In many cases, the twelve-inch version became the definitive version of a track. Songs like Pet Shop Boys’ “West End Girls”, Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax”, and Grace Jones’ “Slave to the Rhythm” all benefited from the format, cementing their legendary status in clubs and on dance charts.

The Decline and Resurgence

By the mid-1990s, the rise of CDs and digital music led to a decline in twelve-inch singles. The format was no longer essential for DJ culture as digital turntables and later streaming services took over. However, in the last decade, vinyl’s resurgence has brought renewed interest in the twelve-inch single.

Today, reissues of classic twelve-inch singles, Record Store Day exclusives, and new pressings from electronic and dance artists keep the format alive. For collectors, DJs, and vinyl enthusiasts, the twelve-inch single remains an essential part of music history—a testament to the power of sound, remix culture, and the magic of the extended mix.

Do You Have a Favorite Twelve-Inch?

If you’re a fan of twelve-inch singles, which are your favorites? Are there any hidden gems that deserve more recognition? Let me know in the comments—because the twelve-inch format never truly went away.

Written by -DjPaulT (2/2025)