Author: DjPaulT

October 16, 2025

Robey – I Surrender (US 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

French-Canadian actress, songwriter, and singer Louise Robey, known professionally as Robey, released “I Surrender” as her fourth single in 1986. The song was issued exclusively as a 12″ single in the United States and Canada, making it a standout in her discography and a sought-after collectible among fans of 1980s dance music.

Unlike her earlier singles, “I Surrender” did not appear on her self-titled debut album from 1985, which featured her breakout hit cover of “One Night in Bangkok.” Instead, this track was a non-album single that further showcased Robey’s dramatic vocal delivery and her flair for cinematic, synth-driven production.

Built around a steady club beat, lush synth textures, and Robey’s signature sultry vocals, “I Surrender” embodies the Hi-NRG and electro-pop sound that defined the mid-80s dancefloor. The single reached #47 on the Billboard Dance Chart in October 1986, becoming Robey’s final charting single in the U.S.

Although it didn’t achieve mainstream success, “I Surrender” remains a fascinating slice of mid-80s club culture — a shimmering, emotional track that captures the moment when pop, dance, and performance art all collided under the strobe lights.

Outside of her music career, Robey is perhaps best remembered for her role as Micki Foster on the cult TV series Friday the 13th: The Series. Her unique blend of glamour, mystery, and charisma made her a defining figure of 1980s pop culture — and “I Surrender” stands as a perfect example of her musical style and artistic spirit.

SIDE A:
I Surrender 6:06
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Mark Berry
Written By – D. Batteau, D. Freeman, J. Ingram

SIDE B:
I Surrender (Dub Mix) 4:53
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Mark Berry
Written By – D. Batteau, D. Freeman, J. Ingram

Paris, Paree 5:45
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Marcus Barone
Written By – Louise Robey, M. Barone

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Robey: I Surrender (1986)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#47	1986

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 43018
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Photography – Guy W. Cearley

NOTES:
Recorded at Broccoli Rabe Studios 1986

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 14, 2025

Bobby “Boris” Pickett Featuring Bobby Paine – Monster Rap (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In 1984, the man behind one of the most famous novelty records of all time — Bobby “Boris” Pickett, of “Monster Mash” fame — decided to bring his graveyard smash into the MTV era. Teaming up with songwriter and producer Bobby Paine, Pickett returned with “Monster Rap,” a ghoulishly fun update that fused his original horror humor with the then-new sound of hip-hop.

Released on Easy Street Records, “Monster Rap” finds Pickett reprising his mad scientist narrator, once again trying to teach his monster a few new tricks — this time, how to rap. Instead of the classic surf-rock beat, the track features a funky electro rhythm, complete with drum machines, synth bass, and a vocoder. It’s an oddball mix of Vincent Price meets Sugarhill Gang, and it totally works in that campy, early-’80s way.

Lyrically, the song keeps the tongue-in-cheek charm of the original, with Pickett delivering lines in his signature “Boris Karloff” voice, while the monster grunts and stumbles through his attempts at rhyming. Bobby Paine adds a contemporary touch to the production, layering in those unmistakable 808s and synth flourishes that make it sound right at home among other novelty rap records of the mid-’80s.

Though it didn’t achieve the same massive success as “Monster Mash”, “Monster Rap” became a cult favorite and remains a seasonal curiosity among collectors and Halloween DJs. Over the years, it’s been rediscovered by fans of early hip-hop, horror kitsch, and everything delightfully weird about the 1980s.

Nearly two decades after his graveyard hit first topped the charts, Bobby “Boris” Pickett proved he could still raise the dead — this time on the dance floor.

SIDE A:
Monster Rap (Club Mix) 5:11
Mixed By [Special Mix] – Hammer Head, Nicky “Pork Dicky” King*

SIDE B:
Monster Rap (Dub Instrumental) 5:35

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Easy Street Records – EZS-7513
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: Electro, Pop Rap, Novelty, Horror Rock

CREDITS:

Co-producer – Bobby Paine, Roger Keay
Engineer – Roger Keay
Executive-Producer – Michael Gusick*
Featuring – Bobby Paine
Mastered By – Herb Powers*
Producer – Richie Vetter
Written-By – B. Paine*, B. Pickett*, F. Heller*

NOTES:
Special 12 Inch Horror Mix
Recorded & mixed at Blank Tapes, Inc.

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.

October 10, 2025

Will To Power – Fading Away (US 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: June 10, 2013

I have given “Fading Away” a brand-new 2025 transfer, ensuring that every synth, beat, and vocal nuance hits with pristine clarity. It’s the ultimate way to experience this late-80s dance gem, whether on the club floor or through your own speakers at home.

When Will To Power released their self-titled debut album in 1988, most listeners immediately noticed the massive medley Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley. But another track from that era, Fading Away, deserves just as much attention for its emotive vocals, lush synths, and undeniable dance floor energy.

Produced by Bob Rosenberg, Fading Away blends heartfelt emotion with polished late-80s dance-pop production. The lyrics deal with the pain of a fading love, and the arrangement—soft atmospheric synths building into a driving beat—creates the perfect tension between introspective balladry and club-ready rhythm.

On the charts, Fading Away had modest mainstream success, peaking at #65 on the US Pop chart in February 1989 and reaching #84 in the UK Singles Chart the following month. However, the track found its true audience in the dance world. It climbed to #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart—making it Will To Power’s second chart-topper in clubs, after Say It’s Gonna Rain in 1988.

A big part of its dance success came from the remixes by Shep Pettibone, one of the era’s premier remixers. Pettibone extended the song’s ethereal synths and accentuated its rhythmic pulse, transforming Fading Away into a club-ready anthem that DJs could spin for peak-hour energy.

BONUS DISCONET EDIT

As a special treat for collectors and DJs, there’s also the rare Disconet Remix service edit, remixed by one of New York’s exciting editors, Mervyn “Funkmaster” Jordan. This explosive, non-stop edit turns the song into a floor-packing powerhouse—perfect for DJs looking to blow the roof off the house. Jordan’s edit highlights the track’s infectious energy while adding his own signature punch, making it a standout in any collection.

For fans of 80s synth-pop, freestyle, and dance music, Fading Away remains a standout track. It’s a reminder that Will To Power’s artistry went beyond their big medley hit, and that some of the best moments in dance-pop history lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be rediscovered.

SIDE A:
Fading Away (Power House Mix) 8:42
Fading Away (Power House Dub) 6:43

SIDE B:
Fading Away (Big Beat Mix) 8:35
Fading Away (The Rhythm Dub) 6:14

BONUS TRACK:
Fading Away (Disconet Edit) 7:00
Edited By – Mervin “Funkmaster” Jordan

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Will To Power: Fading Away (1988)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Music / Club Play	#1	1989
US Billboard Hot 100	65	1989
US Billboard Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#2	1989
UK Singles Chart	#84	1989
Australia (ARIA)	#153	1989

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49 08183
Format: Vinyl, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle, House

CREDITS:

Edited By – Chep Nunez*
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Producer – Bob Rosenberg
Producer [Additional Production], Remix [Re-Mix] – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – B. Rosenberg*

NOTES:
DEMONSTRATION
NOT FOR SALE
Additional Production/Remix for Mastermix Productions
Special Version From The Epic LP: “WILL TO POWER”

DISCONET EDIT taken from Volume 11 Program 2

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.

October 9, 2025

Will To Power – Dreamin’ (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in 1987, “Dreamin’” was the debut single from Miami-based dance-pop and freestyle group Will to Power, the project led by producer, DJ, and songwriter Bob Rosenberg. The track would go on to become a regional sensation in South Florida before breaking nationally—establishing Rosenberg’s reputation and setting the stage for Will to Power’s later chart-topping success.

A Song from the Heart

Behind its shimmering synths and club-ready rhythm lies a deeply personal story. Rosenberg wrote “Dreamin’” as a tribute to his twin sister Robin, who had passed away. The song’s yearning tone and heartfelt lyrics capture the emotional complexity of loss, remembrance, and faith in something beyond the tangible. This emotional core gives “Dreamin’” a depth not always found in freestyle music—transforming it from a simple dance record into something profoundly human.

Originally released locally on Rosenberg’s own Thrust Records, “Dreamin’” became an underground hit on Miami radio stations like Power 96. Its sustained popularity in the region—reportedly remaining on Power 96’s playlist for more than 30 weeks—caught the attention of Epic Records, who reissued the track nationally in 1987.

Sound and Production

“Dreamin’” perfectly embodies the sound of late-’80s freestyle: crisp drum programming, layered synth melodies, and emotionally expressive vocals. Rosenberg handled much of the production himself, assisted by Derrick Rahming, Fro Sosa, and Keith Morrison.

Background vocals were performed by two of the original members of Exposé, Alejandra “Ale” Lorenzo and Laurie Miller. Their smooth harmonies and emotive delivery elevate the song, blending beautifully with Rosenberg’s lead vocal and adding warmth to its wistful tone.

Several remixes accompanied the release, including the Extended Mix and Manhattan Mix, which amplified the song’s dancefloor appeal without losing its emotional edge.

Chart Success

While not a massive Top 40 hit, “Dreamin’” performed well enough to signal that Will to Power was a group to watch. It reached #15 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Play chart and #1 on the Dance Singles Sales chart, while peaking at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the freestyle community, however, “Dreamin’” was far more than a chart entry—it was an anthem. Its success marked a turning point for Miami’s local dance scene, helping to bring regional freestyle acts to national attention.

Themes and Emotion

The song’s lyrics speak of longing, disbelief, and the thin line between dreams and reality: a voice calling out for connection even when it seems lost. Lines like “Tell me that I’m dreamin’, don’t you stop me from believin’” resonate as both romantic and spiritual—an expression of love, hope, and grief intertwined.

Knowing the story behind the song, listeners can hear it as Rosenberg’s personal way of keeping his sister’s memory alive. Yet it also works universally: anyone who has lost someone or held onto a fading connection can relate to its message.

Legacy

“Dreamin’” remains a cornerstone of Will to Power’s catalog and a defining record of the freestyle era. Its blend of heartfelt storytelling and club-ready production captures the dual nature of so much late-’80s dance music—music that could make you move while breaking your heart just a little.

The record also paved the way for greater things: Will to Power’s self-titled debut album followed in 1988, spawning their #1 pop hit “Baby, I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley.” But “Dreamin’” stands apart as the moment where Rosenberg’s vision—personal, melodic, and distinctly Miami—first came to life.

Final Thoughts

“Dreamin’” by Will to Power is more than a freestyle classic—it’s a love letter, a memory, and a dream preserved in vinyl grooves. Beneath the glossy synths and driving beat lies something rare in dance music: sincerity. Decades later, it still moves both the heart and the feet, proving that sometimes the best songs are born from both loss and hope.

SIDE A:
Dreamin’ (Manhattan Mix) 7:20
Dreamin’ (Instrumental) 4:09

SIDE B:
Dreamin’ (New Mix) 7:40
Dreamin’ (Dub) 3:46

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Will To Power: Dreamin’ (1987)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#50	1987
US Billboard Dance Music / Club Play	#15	1987
US Billboard Hot Black Singles	#40	1987

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49 06830
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle

CREDITS:

Engineer [Re-mix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Mastered By – Vlado Meller
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Bob Rosenberg

NOTES:
Mastered at CBS

From the LP “Will To Power”

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.