BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
Originally posted January 15, 2011
“The Dance Electric” is the first track on André Cymone’s third studio album A.C., and, four weeks before the album’s release, The Dance Electric was released as the album’s first single. This track is the only studio collaboration between Prince and André Cymone during Cymone’s solo career following his departure from Prince’s band.
Initial tracking for Prince’s initial version took place on 17 August 1984 (two days before The Screams Of Passion) at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse, Eden Prairie, MN, USA (listed on the album as “Paisley Park Recording, Somewhere in Minnesota”).
Prince reportedly gave the song to André Cymone after Cymone’s mother asked Prince for a song (Cymone himself was too proud to do so). André Cymone recorded lead vocal overdubs between late 1984 and Summer 1985 at one of four studios (which one is not known): Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA, USA; Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA; Celestial Sound, New York, NY, USA; or Metro Studio, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Prince also referred to “the dance electric” in the song God, recorded three days later.
“The Dance Electric” became a hit single on the U.S. Dance chart peaking at #8 and #10 on the R&B chart.
Cymone later married Jody Watley going on to co-write and produced several hits for her, including “Looking for a New Love”, “Still A Thrill”, and “Real Love”.
SIDE A:
The Dance Electric (Long Version) 5:41
Producer – André Cymone, Prince
Written-By – Prince
SIDE B:
The Dance Electric (Edited Version) 4:08
Producer – André Cymone, Prince
Written-By – Prince
Red Light (Edited Version) 4:57
Producer – André Cymone
Written-By – A. Cymone*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Dance Electric | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #8 |
| 1985 | The Dance Electric | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | #10 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44 05249, Columbia – 44-05249
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Electro, Funk
CREDITS:
Art Direction – Lane/Donald
Design – Cindi Z. Stark
Executive-Producer – Wayne Edwards (2)
Photography By – Randee St. Nicholas
NOTES:
Also available: “ANDRÉ CYMONE” on Columbia
Records and Cassettes.
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
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
Thank you for this, Paul!
On an expanded cd of the album, a 10:21 version of the song is available. Anybody knows where does it come from?
Thank you very much Paul.
Thank you Paul. I know I requested this re-rip a week or two ago, but I’m devastated that it has become part of a legacy series. I grew up with Prince. Purple Rain was the first album I bought with my own money (age 14), and I quickly amassed his back catalogue. The 1984-1986 period was full of awesome protege tracks, this being up there as a fandom / obscure favourite. I’m still having trouble coming to terms with his loss – like David Bowie I thought he was immortal. At least his music will live forever – thank you… Read more »
Quite often Prince would record an amazing original track with an associated artist – once in a while one of these tracks would be so outstanding that Prince should have recorded it himself – THIS is one of those moments. This track is exceptional. It’s also very Prince. I’ve always thought Prince should have saved this for one of his own albums. Thankfully, Prince’s version was leaked years ago!
Thank you very much for bring this track to the masses to enjoy.
🙂
Still not over the bliss of yesterday’s post, here you go again and bring back one of your classic postings!! Thanks Paul oh so much for this. Like OMAR says: “The Legacy of Prince continues” and I for one am most delighted. I’m loving how you’re finding a way to honor Prince, but respecting his wishes about his music. Sure, I would love to have rare twelves that have been ignored for CD, but I’ll (try) waiting patiently for official releases of his catalog. And it’s really a blast hearing music with his Purpleness’ involvement. He was majorly prolific and… Read more »
It’s my pleasure Jeff. I heard that he recently got his catalog back from Warner or something that affect so maybe some re-issues were in the works. I hope that the fact he didn’t have a will doesn’t cause any problems with his music.
Hugs 🙂
Thanks Paul. The Legacy of Prince continues.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂