Author: DjPaulT

November 14, 2025

Scritti Politti – Perfect Way (US 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer

NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

I first posted this track back on November 30, 2010, but I’ve dug deep into the crates to give it a meticulous new 2025 transfer. Every element—from the layered synths to the crisp percussion—has been carefully preserved, making the song sound brighter, cleaner, and more detailed than ever before.

🎶 Perfect Way: Scritti Politti’s Shimmering 80s Pop Masterpiece

“Perfect Way” by Scritti Politti is a landmark 1980s pop track that blended intellectual lyricism with slick, synth-driven production, becoming the band’s biggest U.S. hit and a defining moment in their career..

Origins and Release

Released in August 1985, Perfect Way was written by Green Gartside and David Gamson and appeared on Scritti Politti’s second studio album, Cupid \& Psyche 85. The album marked a shift from the band’s earlier post-punk experiments into a polished, funk-infused pop sound. Produced by Gartside, Gamson, and Fred Maher, the song showcased the group’s fascination with combining avant-garde ideas with mainstream accessibility.

Musical Style

The track is often described as new wave meets funk-pop, characterized by:

Bright, layered synthesizers
Crisp drum programming
Funk-inspired bass lines
Gartside’s smooth, almost detached vocal delivery

This sleek production reflected the mid-1980s trend toward highly produced, radio-friendly pop, but Scritti Politti added their own cerebral twist. The lyrics are abstract, full of paradoxes and playful contradictions, with lines like “I got a perfect way to make a new proposition” that highlight Gartside’s interest in language and philosophy.

Chart Performance

Interestingly, Perfect Way had a modest impact in the UK, peaking at No. 48 on the singles chart. However, in the United States, it became Scritti Politti’s breakthrough hit, climbing to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. This transatlantic success cemented the band’s reputation as one of the more sophisticated acts of the synth-pop era.

Cultural Impact

One of the most fascinating aspects of Perfect Way is its influence beyond pop music. Miles Davis, the legendary jazz trumpeter, recorded an instrumental version for his 1986 album Tutu. Davis’s choice to reinterpret the song demonstrated its musical depth and adaptability, bridging the gap between pop and jazz.

Legacy

Today, Perfect Way stands as Scritti Politti’s signature song in the U.S. and a quintessential example of mid-80s pop innovation. It represents:

The band’s transition from underground post-punk to mainstream success
The era’s obsession with glossy, high-tech production
A rare case of British intellectual pop resonating more strongly in America than at home

While Scritti Politti never replicated the same level of U.S. chart success, Perfect Way remains a time capsule of 1980s pop sophistication, celebrated for its fusion of catchy hooks and cerebral lyricism.

In short: Perfect Way is Scritti Politti’s most commercially successful single, a synth-pop gem that captured the sleek sound of the 1980s while also earning respect from jazz greats like Miles Davis.

About the 12″ single.

This US 12″ single contains an edited version of the “Way Perfect Mix,” clocking in at 5:27; the full 7:24 “Way Perfect Mix” is included on the US 12″ Promo that I posted in December 2024.

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

SIDE A:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Mix) 5:27
Mixed By – Committee (3)

SIDE B:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Version) 5:07
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Peck

Chart Performance – Scritti Politti: *Perfect Way* (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#11	1985
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#6	1985
US Billboard R&B / Hip-Hop	#85	1985
UK Singles Chart	#48	1985

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-20362, Warner Bros. Records – 9 20362-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: Oct 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Lacquer Cut By – Herb Powers Jr. (tracks: B), Tom Coyne (tracks: A)
Producer – Gamson*, Maher*, Gartside*
Recorded By – Howard Gray
Written-By – Gamson*, Gartside*

NOTES:
Original version on the Warner Bros. album “Cupid & Psyche 85”

Made in U.S.A.

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.

November 13, 2025

Sade – The Sweetest Taboo (US 12″ Promo) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in late 1985 as the lead single from Promise, Sade’s sophomore album, “The Sweetest Taboo” is a silky, sunlit groove that effortlessly blends jazz, pop, and soul into one of the most distinctive sounds of the decade. The track was written by Sade Adu and bandmate Martin Ditcham and produced by Robin Millar, who also helmed their debut Diamond Life.

Where Diamond Life introduced the world to Sade’s cool sophistication, Promise deepened the palette—more organic, more textured, and more confident. “The Sweetest Taboo” perfectly captures that evolution. Built around a gentle Latin-tinged rhythm, velvety guitar, and understated percussion, the song creates a mood that feels both romantic and timeless.

Lyrically, Sade describes a love so deep it feels almost forbidden—a passion that transcends words. Her vocal delivery is intimate and soothing, floating effortlessly over the groove. “There’s a quiet storm / And it never felt like this before,” she sings, inviting listeners into a serene emotional space few artists could craft so delicately.

The single became one of Sade’s signature hits, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1986. It also found success across Europe, further cementing the group’s status as global icons of refined, emotive pop. The accompanying music video, directed by Brian Ward, mirrors the song’s warmth—featuring Sade in desert landscapes and dreamlike imagery that evoke both freedom and longing.

“The Sweetest Taboo” is more than just a hit single; it’s a defining moment in 1980s music—smooth yet soulful, intimate yet sophisticated. Nearly forty years later, its gentle rhythm and Sade’s unmistakable voice still sound like the essence of quiet passion.

SIDE A:
The Sweetest Taboo (Short Version) 4:24

SIDE B:
The Sweetest Taboo (Long Version) 5:27

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Sade: The Sweetest Taboo (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Billboard Hot 100	#5	1985/86
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary	#1	1985/86
US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	#3	1985/86
UK Singles Chart	#31	1985/86
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#12	1985/86

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Portrait – RAS 2219
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Smooth Jazz, Soul

CREDITS:

Engineer [Production] – Mike Pela
Producer – Robin Millar
Written-By – Ditcham*, Adu*
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Lacquer Cut At – Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Produced For – Modern Media Ltd.
Published By – Silver Angel Music, Inc.

NOTES:
DEMONSTRATION
NOT FOR SALE
Taken From The Portrait Lp: “PROMISE”

“Long Version” is also known as “Extended Version”.

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.

November 12, 2025

Vitamin Z – Circus Ring (We Scream About) (Remix) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Sheffield-based pop duo Vitamin Z made their debut in 1985 with the album Rites of Passage, a record that blended stylish synth-pop with touches of rock and soul. One of its standout tracks is “Circus Ring,” a shimmering, emotional single that captures the lush, cinematic sound Vitamin Z became known for.

Formed by Geoff Barradale (vocals) and Nick Lockwood (bass and keyboards), Vitamin Z were part of the mid-’80s wave of UK bands who brought intelligence and sophistication to pop music. Their sound was sleek yet heartfelt—think a cross between Tears for Fears, The Blow Monkeys, and early Simple Minds—with an emphasis on melody, mood, and atmosphere.

“Circus Ring” was released as a single in 1985, following their debut hit “Burning Flame.” Produced by Ross Cullum (known for his work with Tears for Fears and Howard Jones), the song features a sweeping arrangement built on chiming guitars, shimmering synth textures, and Barradale’s emotive vocals. The lyrics use circus imagery as a metaphor for love and vulnerability, reflecting the bittersweet tone that runs throughout Rites of Passage.

The 12″ version of “Circus Ring” expands on the album cut with a fuller, more dynamic mix. Extended instrumental passages allow Lockwood’s basslines and the song’s layered percussion to shine, creating an immersive experience that showcases Cullum’s meticulous production. It’s a perfect example of how the extended mix could transform a great pop song into something truly cinematic.

Although Vitamin Z never achieved widespread commercial success beyond “Burning Flame,” they’ve maintained a loyal following among fans of sophisticated ‘80s pop. Songs like “Circus Ring” highlight the duo’s gift for combining emotional depth with stylish production—proof that even in an era of glossy pop, there was still plenty of heart beneath the surface.

SIDE A:
Circus Ring (We Scream About) (Remix) 7:00

SIDE B:
Circus Ring (We Scream About) (7″ Version) 4:40
Don´t Stop (To Listen To His Music) 3:57

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – MERX 186
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – JB*
Photography By – Brian Aris
Recorded By, Producer – Ross Cullum
Written-By – Barradale*, Lockwood*

NOTES:
From the album “Rites Of Passage”

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.

November 11, 2025

Remembering Richard Darbyshire (1960 – 2025)

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Richard Darbyshire, the unmistakable voice and songwriter behind Living In A Box. He died on November 10, 2025, at the age of 65.

A Voice Beyond Its Time

When Richard Darbyshire first sang the words “I’m living in a box…” in 1987, the world took notice. His commanding yet soulful voice helped propel the band’s self-titled debut single into the UK Top 5 and the US Top 20, instantly defining an era of sleek, intelligent pop.

Darbyshire’s vocals could shift effortlessly—from the propulsive energy of “Living In A Box” to the tender vulnerability of “Room in Your Heart.” His bandmates once described him as a “vocal craftsman whose range stretched from raw power to heart-melting warmth.”

The Man Behind the Music

Born in Stockport, Cheshire, in 1960, Darbyshire grew up surrounded by diverse influences. His family’s move to Japan when he was thirteen exposed him to American soul and R&B—Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Curtis Mayfield—artists whose depth and groove would stay with him for life.

Upon returning to the UK, he studied English Literature at Oxford before joining the Manchester band Zu Zu Sharks, a stepping stone that refined his songwriting and musicianship. That blend of literary sensitivity and soulful rhythm would later become the signature sound of Living In A Box.

A Career of Substance

With Living In A Box, Darbyshire and bandmates Anthony “Tich” Critchlow and Marcus Vere created a sophisticated mix of pop, funk, and electronic production that captured the late-’80s sound perfectly.

“Living In A Box” (1987) remains a defining single of the decade.
“Blow the House Down” (1989), featuring Brian May on guitar, reached the UK Top 10.
“Room in Your Heart” (1989) showcased the band’s emotional depth and became one of their most enduring hits.

After the band’s split, Darbyshire released his solo album How Many Angels in 1994, expanding on material originally written for a planned third Living In A Box record. His solo work revealed a more introspective songwriter—mature, reflective, and deeply melodic.

In later years, he turned his talents to writing and producing for artists including Lisa Stansfield, Jennifer Rush, and Level 42, as well as mentoring young musicians through songwriting workshops in London.

A Quiet Soul, a Lasting Influence

Those who knew Richard describe a man of quiet integrity—reluctant to chase fame, but endlessly devoted to his craft. “He hated the photo-shoots and TV appearances,” one friend said. “He thought it was all a bit daft. He was happiest with a guitar in his hands and a song in progress.”

Legacy and Reflection

For those of us who celebrate the 12″ era—those extended mixes and studio experiments that turned songs into soundscapes—Darbyshire’s work embodies that golden moment in pop history. His music balanced technical precision with genuine feeling, a quality that continues to resonate nearly four decades later.

Songs like “Living In A Box” and “Room in Your Heart” still sound as vibrant today as they did in the late ’80s—testament to his artistry and timeless appeal.

Farewell, Richard

Richard Darbyshire gave us music that moved both the heart and the feet. His voice—clear, passionate, unmistakably human—remains one of the defining sounds of the era.

Rest easy, Richard. Thank you for the songs, the soul, and the soundtrack you gave us.
Your music will always have a room in our hearts.

_ DjPaulT