Author: DjPaulT

October 2, 2025

Jody Watley – When A Man Loves A Woman (US 12″ Promo) (1994)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in 1994 as the final single from her fourth album, Intimacy (1993), Jody Watley’s When a Man Loves a Woman stands out as one of the most intriguing singles of her career. Co-written with Larry Campbell, the song paired Watley’s poetic, philosophical spoken-word style with a sultry midtempo R&B/hip-hop groove, offering something bold and different from her previous chart-toppers.

Charts

The single became a success on both sides of the Atlantic. In the U.S., it climbed to #11 on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart, while in the UK, it reached #33 on the Singles Chart, becoming Watley’s first Top 40 hit there since “Friends” in 1989. In clubs, it fared even better, soaring to the top of the UK Club Chart, thanks in part to strong remixes.

Critical Reception

Critics praised the single’s originality and risk-taking:

Billboard (Larry Flick): Called it a “clever and unusual single,” noting Watley “waxes poetic and philosophical about relationships, chatting over an insinuating, midtempo hip-hop groove,” enhanced by “imaginative, format-stretching remixes.”
Gavin Report (Bill Speed & John Martinucci): Described it as “a monologue observing key elements of an unconditional relationship between a man and a woman.”
Music Week (Andy Beevers): Awarded four out of five stars and Pick of the Week in Dance, praising the BBG remixes that “have taken the track to the top of the RM Club Chart.”
Music & Media: Highlighted the socially conscious lyrics, noting the subtle message about AIDS and fidelity.
Record Mirror (James Hamilton): Called it a “mumbling slinky swayer (not the Percy Sledge classic),” remarking on its “sultrily muttered instructions about the right ways to treat the one you love without giving them AIDS.

Music Video

The music video for When a Man Loves a Woman marked Jody Watley’s directorial debut, giving her the chance to craft her own visual vision to accompany the single.

US Promo Release

In the U.S., at least three promo 12″ singles were issued, all featuring exclusive remixes never released commercially. Most of these versions have not appeared digitally or on CD, making them rare and highly collectible among Watley fans.

Legacy

Though not as universally recognized as her chart-topping hits Looking for a New Love or Real Love, When a Man Loves a Woman reflects Jody Watley’s artistry at its most daring—merging spoken-word poetry, house and R&B grooves, social commentary, and creative independence. It remains an essential piece of her catalog, a track that connected powerfully with audiences in clubs and on the charts while showcasing her growth as both an artist and visionary.

SIDE A:
When A Man Loves A Woman (D.J.’s Club Mix) 7:33
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Darryl James
Written-By – Jody Watley, Larry “Rock” Campbell

When A Man Loves A Woman (D.J.’s Bentley’s Mix) 6:07
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Darryl James
Written-By – Jody Watley, Larry “Rock” Campbell

SIDE B:
When A Man Loves A Woman (D.J.’s Dub Mix) 5:01
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Darryl James
Written-By – Jody Watley, Larry “Rock” Campbell

When A Man Loves A Woman (D.J.’s Other Dub Mix) 5:33
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Darryl James
Written-By – Jody Watley, Larry “Rock” Campbell

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Jody Watley: *When A Man Loves A Woman* (1994)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#8	1994
US Billboard Under Hot 100	15	1994
US Billboard R&B Singles	#1	1994
UK Club Chart (Music Week)	#1	1994
UK Dance (Music Week)	#2	1994
UK Singles (OCC)	#33	1994

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA8P 2976
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre: Electronic, Hip-Hop
Style: House, Garage House, Downtempo

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Jody Watley
Producer, Arranged By – Art & Rhythm

NOTES:
Original version appears on the Jody Watley album “Intimacy”

Housed inside MCA Records 12″ Single die-cut sleeve

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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-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.

October 1, 2025

Taylor Dayne – Don’t Rush Me (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the fall of 1988, Taylor Dayne was on a roll. Her powerhouse debut album Tell It to My Heart had already produced three U.S. Top 10 singles, including the title track, and she was quickly becoming one of the defining vocalists of the late ‘80s. Riding that momentum, Arista Records issued “Don’t Rush Me” as the fourth single from the album, and it turned out to be one of Dayne’s biggest hits.

Written by Alexandra Forbes and Jeff Franzel and produced by Ric Wake, the song stands out for its lyrical theme. Unlike the bold passion of “Tell It to My Heart” or the dance-floor fire of “Prove Your Love,” “Don’t Rush Me” carries a message about taking things slow—essentially, a plea for abstinence. Delivered with Dayne’s unmistakable vocal strength, it struck a balance between vulnerability and determination.

Chart Success

“Don’t Rush Me” first saw release in the UK in September 1988 before arriving in the U.S. on October 24. The single quickly climbed the charts, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1989, only held back from the top by Phil Collins’ “Two Hearts.” It became Dayne’s highest-charting single in the States at the time and spent an impressive 20 weeks on the Hot 100.

On other U.S. charts, it reached No. 3 on Adult Contemporary, No. 6 on the Dance Club Songs chart, and even topped Cashbox for a week in late January. Internationally, however, “Don’t Rush Me” didn’t achieve the same level of success, charting modestly in Europe, with Germany being one of the few countries where it cracked the Top 40.

The Music Video

The single’s visuals have a curious backstory. The first video, directed by Alek Keshishian (who would later work with Madonna), was shot in Los Angeles and featured Dayne alongside a “real sexy guy” in various scenes. For reasons never fully explained, that version was scrapped and replaced with a second video directed by David Hogan. The final cut, filmed in New York at the Capitol Theatre, was more of a straightforward performance piece showcasing Dayne’s presence on stage. This version debuted on VH-1 on December 10, 1988, before rolling out to MTV, BET, and Night Tracks later that month.

Legacy

“Don’t Rush Me” proved that Taylor Dayne was more than just a one-hit wonder riding the wave of late-’80s dance-pop. It showed her versatility as both a pop and adult contemporary artist, paving the way for her ballads like “Love Will Lead You Back,” which would eventually take her all the way to No. 1.

Even though its chart performance outside the U.S. was limited, the single remains one of Taylor Dayne’s signature hits—a track that captured her vocal power while delivering a message that was somewhat unusual for its time.

SIDE A:
Don’t Rush Me (Extended Version) 7:16
Remix – Richie Jones

Don’t Rush Me (Bonus Beats) 3:39
Remix – Richie Jones

SIDE B:
Don’t Rush Me (Single Version) 3:48

Don’t Rush Me (Dub Version) 6:08
Remix – Richie Jones

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Taylor Dayne: *Don’t Rush Me* (1988)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#6	1988
US Billboard Hot 100	#2	1988
US Billboard RAdult Contemporary	#3	1988
U.K. Singles	#76	1988
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#4	1988

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – AD1-9723
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Susan Mendola
Keyboards – Steve Skinner
Management – Champion Entertainment Organization, Inc.
Mixed By, Recorded By, Guitar – Bob Cadway
Photography By – Jennifer Baumann
Producer – Ric Wake
Written-By – Alexandra Forbes, Jeff Franzel

Recorded At – Cove City Sound Studios
Mixed At – Cove City Sound Studios
Mixed At – Blue Jay Studios

NOTES:

From the album “Tell It To My Heart”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.

September 30, 2025

Taylor Dayne – Don’t Rush Me (US 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released as the fourth single from Taylor Dayne’s multi-platinum debut album Tell It to My Heart (1988), “Don’t Rush Me” was written by Alexandra Forbes and Jeff Franzel. The song continued Dayne’s hot streak, becoming her third consecutive U.S. Top 10 hit. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1988 and also climbed the Adult Contemporary and Dance charts, solidifying her as one of the standout voices of the late ’80s.

The 12” I’m posting today is the U.S. promo-only release, which stands apart from the standard single. This pressing contains exclusive House Mixes that were originally only issued in the United States and France. These remixes gave “Don’t Rush Me” a club-friendly update, layering in deeper grooves and house beats while keeping Dayne’s dynamic vocal front and center.

Another gem from the golden era of the 12-inch single, this promo captures Taylor Dayne at the peak of her chart power while also giving DJs something fresh to spin.

SIDE A:
Don’t Rush Me (Continental Clubhouse Mix) 8:39

SIDE B:
Don’t Rush Me (Continental Dubhouse Mix) 5:37
Don’t Rush Me (Rushapella) 3:39

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Taylor Dayne: *Don’t Rush Me* (1988)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#6	1988
US Billboard Hot 100	#2	1988
US Billboard RAdult Contemporary	#3	1988
U.K. Singles	#76	1988
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#4	1988

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – ADP-9774
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: House

CREDITS:

Engineer [Recording & Mix Engineer] – Bob Cadway
Overdubbed By [Keyboard Overdubs] – Rich Tancredi
Producer [Produced By], Remix [Remixed By] – Ric Wake
Remix [Remixed By] – Richie Jones
Written-By – Alexandra Forbes, Jeff Franzel

NOTES:
Produced For Bleux Productions

Loaned for promotion only

Manufactured By Arista Records, Inc. 6 W. 57th St., N.Y., N.Y. 10019

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.

September 26, 2025

Loverde – Iko Iko (US 12″) (1980)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

This post kicks off our Mirrorball Memories series, where we’ll be spotlighting Disco and Hi-NRG singles that made dance floors light up. Think of it as the spiritual successor to Disco Friday, bringing vintage grooves and 12″ classics to the spotlight, one post at a time.

As the 1980s dawned, disco was evolving, and electronic dance music was taking over the clubs. Out of San Francisco emerged Frank Loverde—known professionally as Loverde—whose energetic Hi-NRG tracks captured the spirit of the era. One track that stands out is his electrifying rendition of “Iko Iko”, a classic reimagined for the dance floor.

A Classic Reimagined

Originally written by James “Sugar Boy” Crawford in 1953 as “Jock-A-Mo,” “Iko Iko” tells the playful tale of a Mardi Gras Indian confrontation. The Dixie Cups’ 1965 version turned it into a national hit, but Loverde’s take, produced by Patrick Cowley, brought it into the Hi-NRG era. Pulsing synthesizers and a driving beat transform the New Orleans classic into a dancefloor-ready anthem that still thrills DJs and collectors today.

Loverde and Hi-NRG Magic

Hi-NRG music—fast, energetic, and synth-driven—was booming in early ’80s clubs, and Loverde excelled in the style. His soaring vocals combined with Cowley’s electronic production gave “Iko Iko” a unique edge, perfectly bridging the gap between traditional rhythms and modern dance music. While it didn’t dominate mainstream charts, it became a beloved gem among club-goers.

Remembering Frank Loverde

Frank Loverde (1947–1990) made a lasting mark on San Francisco’s music scene, most notably with the 1982 Hi-NRG classic “Die Hard Lover.” Tragically, he contracted AIDS in the late 1980s, a disease that devastated the city’s music community. Loverde passed away on December 20, 1990, at age 43, with his family by his side. His music, however, continues to shine, keeping his legacy alive on dance floors and in Hi-NRG collections worldwide.

Why “Iko Iko” Matters

Loverde’s “Iko Iko” is a perfect example of how classic songs can be reinterpreted for new audiences without losing their original charm. It’s joyful, infectious, and full of energy—a reminder of why Hi-NRG and disco will always have a special place in music history.

SIDE A:
Iko Iko 7:01
Producer – Jeffrey Cohen, Megatron*
Synthesizer [Uncredited] – Patrick Cowley

SIDE B:
San Francisco Serenade 5:04
Arranged By – Frank Loverde, Mike Finden*
Producer – Don Miley, Jeffrey Cohen

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Prism – PDS 406 RE
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Disco

NOTES:
GIANT SINGLE
Track Side B (P) 1979

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.