Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986
“The Promise” was the third single released by Arcadia, the Duran Duran offshoot band. Issued by Parlophone in 1986 as their second UK single, it reached number 37 on the UK Singles Chart.
The track features uncredited backing vocals from Sting. During Arcadia’s recording sessions for “So Red the Rose” in Paris, the band attended a Sting concert and decided to invite him to contribute to their album. They were particularly intrigued by the vocal chemistry between Sting and lead singer Simon Le Bon, first heard on Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Sting graciously accepted, resulting in a collaboration that became one of the group’s favorite moments on the record. Enhancing the track further, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour delivered expressive guitar work that added a haunting and ethereal quality, especially in its climactic sections.
The single version of “The Promise” was trimmed significantly from the album’s original 7:28 runtime to a more radio-friendly 4:50. Even the “extended remix,” produced by Alex Sadkin and Ron Saint Germain, ran slightly shorter than the album cut, clocking in at 7:05. The B-side of the single featured an extended mix of the album track “Rose Arcana.”
While “So Red the Rose” didn’t reach the commercial success of Duran Duran’s biggest albums, it earned critical praise and has since developed a devoted fanbase. “The Promise” stands out as a highlight, celebrated for its ambitious artistry and the rare collaboration of such iconic talents. For fans of Duran Duran and 1980s art-rock, the song remains an underrated gem and a testament to the creative freedom Arcadia embraced during this transitional period in their careers.
Although Roger Taylor, the drummer for Arcadia, appeared in only a few promotional photos and the music video for Election Day, his primary focus was on the recording side of the project. Taylor also contributed percussion to The Power Station, another Duran Duran offshoot.
SIDE A:
The Promise (Extended Remix) 7:05
Mixed By – Alex Sadkin, Ron Saint Germain
Performer, Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Sting
Written-By – Rhodes, Taylor, Le Bon
SIDE B:
Rose Arcana (Extended Mix) 5:35
Mixed By – Alex Sadkin, Larry Alexander
Written-By – Rhodes, Le Bon
The Promise (7″ Mix) 4:50
Mixed By – Alex Sadkin, Ron Saint Germain
Performer, Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Sting
Written-By – Rhodes, Taylor, Le Bon
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone Odeon Series – 12 NSR 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Gold Sleeve
Country: UK
Released: Jan 1986
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Photography By – Norman Parkinson
- Producer – Alex Sadkin, Arcadia (3)
- Sleeve [Produced By] – Assorted Images
NOTES:
The version of “Rose Arcana” on this single is much longer than the album version (So Red The Rose), but it does not have a unique title.
Manufactured in the UK by EMI Records Limited.
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
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I have loved the ‘So Red the Rose’ album since purchasing it the day it came out. A common statement about it is it’s the best album Duran Duran never made. What I love about it is how each song became a favorite at different periods in my life over the last 39 years. At first it was ‘The Flame’ with its bombastic intro & energy & unforgettably great video. ‘Goodbye is Forever’ after the death of 2 close friends, ‘The Promise’ during my ‘serious’ phase, & ‘Lady Ice’ in my chill phase. Now 39 years later my favorite song… Read more »
Awesome – thanks so much for this Paul!!!! Brilliant song and spectacular restoration to boot!
Thx Paul.Top quality.
Thank you, Paul.
You’re welcome 🙂
B R A V O!
I haven’t visited your page for quite a while, I feel like I missed a lot of good postings.
Good to see you 🙂
This is my favorite song from the album and I remember being so excited when I got my copy of this UK 12”. Wonderful times back then when you got to “hunt” for treasures in record stores.
I miss those days, too, Mike. I loved walking into the record store every week to see what was coming out on 12″ that week. I remember seeing this one as an import. Lots of great memories 🙂
Thank you for this rare and underrated single Paul!! Admittedly I never quite got into the slow burn of Arcadia’s sole album. And it’s not for lack of trying, Lol. I certainly appreciate the musicianship, craft and artistic exploration. You know what I just realized it’s missing for me? Andy Taylor’s guitar!! Which is why I immediately gravitated towards The Power Station. For me it was accessible and I couldn’t resist Andy’s trademark fiery guitar and John Taylor’s funky bass. With that said, I do appreciate how Arcadia was the perfect flip side to that.
You’re welcome, Retro Hound. I was different from you; I gravitated towards Arcadia because I was more of a new-wave kid. However, I did love Power Station as well. Unfortunately, this period marked the end of the original Duran Duran lineup. They recorded “A View To A Kill” before splitting up.
Hey Paul, I’ve been thinking of Arcadia for a while now, and then here you go, giving us a rip of their fabulous “The Promise” single. This song and album were a labor of love for the band. It seemed they spared no expense to make an album quite like this one. I can’t tell you how overjoyed I am to be getting this track in your awesome fidelity!!
Breathless,
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff. “So Red the Rose” is one of my favorite albums; its moody pop is fantastic. I also forgot to mention in my write-up that, along with Sting and David Gilmour, Herbie Hancock was also involved with this track.
That’s so interesting, Paul. The album was an investment in diverse talents!! Thank you again!
Jeff
Thanks for another treat Paul.
Arcadia’s album is one i came across relatively late,
but it’s an 80s classic imo.
Peace,
dj
You’re welcome, Don Julian.
I only had these versions from the 2010 Remaster of “So Red The Rose“. So glad I finally have this 12” in DPT quality!
This is definitely one of those albums I would love for you to completely remaster! So, how do we convince the record label or band to hire you for a 40th anniversary remaster?
You’re sweet, Martika. I found the remastering of the 2010 version to be quite loud and lacking depth. It would be wonderful if that masterpiece were cared for properly.
I agree. The 2010 remaster sounds worse than the original pressing, but it was the easiest way to get all the remixes and B-sides. I just compared your rip of “The Promise” with the one from the CD and it’s like night and day!
Martika,
YES!! Paul should be asked to get involved in a record’s reissue. The man’s a genius with those golden ears of his. I support our Paul so highly!!
Jeff
Right? It’s beyond me how much time and money record labels spend on recording albums, but then decide to ruin all that effort by brick-walling the heck out of the remasters.
Thank you! Agree with David’s comment below about Gilmour.
You’re welcome.
With David Gilmour just having concluded his most recent, brief tour for his new album ‘Luck and Strange’, your presenting this single now is most timely and welcome. Thank you for all you do here at BTG.
(P.S. I did get to see David’s show at the Hollywood Bowl on 30 October. It was fantastic!)
You’re welcome. I imagine that was an incredible show lucky you 🙂
What a fantastic album! Like Duran Duran but different and haunting. Love this album. If you are a fan at all make sure to pick up the 2010 2 CD + DVD package. Add in the Power Station CD + DVD set and you are in heaven! Thanks Paul!
You’re welcome. I agree, Mikey D. I am glad to say that I own both CD/DVD packages.
That’s so funny, Paul. So Red The Rose was published on this day 39 years ago which was pointed out on some Twitter blog and I commented that The Promise was my favourite track. And here you are gifting us with this gem. I just love Sting’s backing vocals. Thank you so much. 🙂
I knew it was the alum’s anniversary, but I thought it was the 40th. This track is my favorite from the album; the second would be “Lady Ice.”
Mine too! The album is an absolute fave-desert island disc for sure!
I have it many times over, first copy was probably a cassette and the vinyl cover hangs above my computer station… love Arcadia-adjacent DD tracks like Winter Marches On, My Antarctica, Kill Me With Science, etc. Actually that’s my fave DD vibe: artful and esoteric.
ING, I love that: “artful and esoteric.” Those are wonderful adjectives for this album. Thank you!!
Jeff