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