Author: DjPaulT

September 19, 2025

Various – Disco Fever ’79 (Music Factory Megamix) (UK 12″) (1993)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Back in the mid-80s, when DJ-only remix services were just beginning to carve out their space, one UK collective quickly became a favorite among club jocks—Music Factory Mastermix. Founded in 1985, the Sheffield-based promotional service specialized in delivering creative edits, themed mixes, and exclusive reworks of chart hits and dance classics. Their productions weren’t intended for commercial release but for the hands of DJs who wanted something unique to spin on the dancefloor.

Among their many themed mixes came a special retrospective celebration: “Disco ’79 Megamix.” Crafted by Darren Ash, one of Music Factory’s standout editors (and partly responsible for the infamous Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers phenomenon), this mix took club audiences on a flashback to the glittering year of 1979—when disco truly dominated the charts and dancefloors worldwide.

The Mix

Ash stitched together a powerhouse lineup of late-’70s disco anthems, giving DJs an instant floor-filler that connected the dots between the biggest disco names. The megamix included:

Village People – The kings of camp and dance anthems, unstoppable in ’79 with Y.M.C.A. and In the Navy.
Donna Summer – The Queen of Disco herself, bringing that Giorgio Moroder-powered pulse to the mix.
Sister Sledge – Riding high with the Chic-produced We Are Family and He’s the Greatest Dancer.
Edwin Starr – Known for his soul roots, he slid into the disco world with irresistible grooves.
The Real Thing – UK soul-disco pioneers who were enjoying chart success well into the disco boom.
Gibson Brothers – Injecting Caribbean flavor into disco with tracks like Cuba and Que Sera Mi Vida.

Why 1979?

By 1979, disco had reached its peak cultural saturation—chart dominance, glittering outfits, and mainstream acceptance that was about to trigger the infamous “disco backlash” in the early ’80s. Still, for those who lived it, this was the golden year when nearly every club, roller rink, and radio station pulsed with four-on-the-floor grooves.

The Disco ’79 Megamix served as both a tribute and a tool—paying homage to an unforgettable year while giving DJs in the mid-’80s an easy way to reignite the sparkle of disco on contemporary dancefloors.

Darren Ash’s Touch

Ash’s editing style was clean, fast-paced, and always built for impact. Much like the Jive Bunny medleys that would soon take over UK charts, this mix leaned on clever segues, instantly recognizable hooks, and a relentless dancefloor drive. Unlike novelty medleys, though, “Disco ’79” had real weight because the source material was the very essence of disco at its height.

Legacy

Though intended for promotional use only, mixes like “Disco ’79” showcase just how influential remix services like Music Factory were. They preserved and reshaped the past while keeping DJs equipped with fresh, inventive tools. For disco lovers, this megamix remains a nostalgic time capsule of one of music’s most glamorous years.

SIDE A:
Various – Disco Fever ’79 (Music Factory Mastermix) 13:03
Village People– Y.M.C.A.
Village People– In The Navy
Edwin Starr– Contact
The Real Thing– Can You Feel The Force
Gibson Brothers– Que Sera Mi Vida
Donna Summer– Hot Stuff
Donna Summer– Bad Girls
Sister Sledge– We Are Family

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Music Factory – MFMM79
Series: Music Factory Mastermix Issue – 79
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 45 RPM, 12″
Country: UK
Released: 1993
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Disco

CREDITS:
Mixed By – Darren Ash
Artwork [Custom] – DjPaulT

NOTES:
Taken from Music Factory Mastermix – Issue 79

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.

September 18, 2025

Wang Chung – Dance Hall days & Don’t Let Go (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1984, Wang Chung had evolved from their early days as Huang Chung into one of the most distinctive new wave acts of the decade. With their second album Points on the Curve (1983), Jack Hues and Nick Feldman sharpened their blend of sleek synth-pop and angular guitar riffs into something both stylish and radio-friendly. Two standout tracks from this era—“Dance Hall Days” and “Don’t Let Go”—were paired on the U.S. 12″ single, giving fans extended remixes that perfectly captured the duo’s unique sound.

Dance Hall Days

Originally released as a single in 1982 in the UK, “Dance Hall Days” was re-recorded for Points on the Curve and became Wang Chung’s first big U.S. hit in 1984, climbing to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s nostalgic, dreamlike lyrics—“Take your baby by the hand…”—float over a lush synth-pop arrangement that’s equal parts danceable and bittersweet. The 12″ version stretches the track into a more atmospheric experience, emphasizing its hypnotic groove and instrumental textures, making it a staple of mid-80s dance floors.

Don’t Let Go

On the flip side, “Don’t Let Go” provides a harder-hitting contrast. Released as the lead single from Points on the Curve, it reached #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a club favorite. Built around sharp guitar lines, punchy percussion, and urgent vocals, it showcases the edgier side of Wang Chung’s sound. The extended 12″ mix adds more space for the song’s rhythm section to shine, giving it a driving energy that worked perfectly in DJ sets.

The 12″ Release

The U.S. 12″ release (Geffen Records, 1984) paired these two tracks in their extended forms, providing fans with the definitive dancefloor experience. The mixes highlight the balance between Wang Chung’s reflective pop sensibilities and their club-ready energy. For collectors, this 12″ stands as an essential piece of the band’s catalog, bridging their underground beginnings with the mainstream success that would soon peak with hits like “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go!”

SIDE A:
Dance Hall Days (Remix) 7:22
Edited By – Victor Flores

SIDE B:
Don’t Let Go (Remix) 7:14
Remix – John Luongo
Written-By – Feldman*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

CHART PERFORMANCE
Song	Chart	Peak Position	Year
Dance Hall Days	US Billboard Hot 100	#16	1984
	US Billboard Mainstream Rock	#25	1984
	US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#1 (with remix)	1984
	UK Singles Chart	#21	1984
	Canada RPM Top Singles	#14	1984
	Australia Kent Music Report	#36	1984
Don’t Let Go	US Billboard Hot 100	#38	1984
	US Billboard Mainstream Rock	#24	1984
	US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#27	1984

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records – 0-20194, Geffen Records – 9 20194-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Cover [Art] – Torchlight, London*
Producer, Recorded By – Chris Hughes, Ross Cullum
Written-By – Hues*

NOTES:
“Specially-Priced 2-Cut Maxi Single”

Original version available on the Geffen album
“Points On The Curve”

Made in U.S.A.
Printed in USA

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 17, 2025

Kaja – Shouldn’t Do That (Disciplined) (UK 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

If you’ve followed the quirky trajectory of Kajagoogoo, you know their journey from the breakout synth-pop of White Feathers to the more experimental corners of their later work was anything but predictable. By 1985, the band, now simply billed as Kaja, released their third album, Crazy Peoples Right to Speak, and with it came a single that encapsulated both their pop sensibilities and their willingness to push boundaries: “Shouldn’t Do That.”

Released by Parlophone/EMI America, “Shouldn’t Do That” didn’t storm the charts like their early hits, peaking at #63 in the UK, but it remains a fascinating slice of mid-80s new wave. Its layered synths, driving rhythm, and unmistakable melodic flair demonstrate that even as the band evolved, they retained the catchy hooks that made them a staple of early-80s British pop.

Interestingly, the single also found a home beyond the record charts. It was included in the soundtrack of 1985’s Santa Claus: The Movie, adding an unexpected pop edge to the festive film. For many fans, this placement cemented the track’s quirky charm—playful enough for a family movie, yet still very much a product of Kaja’s distinctive new wave style.

“Shouldn’t Do That” may not be the band’s most famous track, but it’s a perfect snapshot of a group experimenting with identity, sound, and expression in the mid-80s. For collectors, 80s enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the paths Kajagoogoo/Kaja explored after their initial fame, it’s an essential listen.

SIDE A:
Shouldn’t Do That (Disciplined) 6:58
Mixed By – Ken Scott

SIDE B:
Charm Of A Gun 4:27
Backing Vocals – Lezlee Cowling
Guitar [Solo] – Michael Thompson
Mixed By – Nick Beggs, Paul Ryan (2), Steve Askew (2), Stuart Croxford Neale

Shouldn’t Do That (Undisciplined) 5:59
Mixed By – Nick Beggs, Paul Ryan (2), Steve Askew (2), Stuart Croxford Neale

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12R 6106
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – The Square Red Studio
Drums – Dave Mattocks*
Guitar – Steve Askew (2)
Lacquer Cut By – Nickz*
Lead Vocals, Bass – Nick Beggs
Photography By – Peter Ashworth
Producer – Ken Scott
Vocals, Keyboards – Stuart Croxford Neale
Written-By – N. Beggs*, S. Askew*, S. Neale*

NOTES:
Made in England

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 16, 2025

State Of The Art – Love Will Keep Us Together (Germany 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Founded in Cologne in 1986 by Frank Schmitz (guitar, vocals) and Stephan Koch (keyboards, vocals, production), German synth-pop outfit State Of The Art came together with a clear vision: to shape their years of school band and local music experiences into a polished, professional project. In 1987, Stephan’s brother Georg Koch joined on drums, completing the trio.

The band’s first recordings took place at the V.A.M.P. Studio in Cologne, where early demo tapes were put together. These demos quickly caught the attention of A&R managers in Hamburg, and the group’s songwriting quality earned them a deal with Phonogram (Mercury/Polygram Records).

Their second single, “Love Will Keep Us Together,” was released in 1988 across Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Produced by pop producer Ulrich “James” Herter (best known for his work with Two of Us) alongside publisher Karin Wirthmann, the track showcased a glossy, melodic synth-pop sound that felt perfectly in step with the era.

With bright keyboards, crisp programming, and a heartfelt vocal performance, the single had all the makings of a hit. It even found success in the media: State Of The Art performed the song on several German television shows, including appearances on the iconic Formel Eins, and a promotional video was produced for the music program.

“Love Will Keep Us Together” resonated strongly on German radio, climbing into the WDR Schlagerrallye, where it ultimately landed at #15 on the annual chart. The band also earned recognition in the Goldene Europa competition, taking second place just behind fellow German pop group Pur.

While it didn’t break internationally, “Love Will Keep Us Together” stands today as a quintessential Closet 80s single: a polished, heartfelt slice of European synth-pop that deserved far more recognition than it received at the time. For collectors and lovers of hidden gems, it remains a rewarding discovery.

SIDE A:
Love Will Keep Us Together (Extended Version) 5:32
Written-By – Georg Koch, Stephan Koch, Timothy Touchton

On Deaf Ears 3:24
Written-By – Ken Taylor, Matthew Peevers, Stephan Koch

Love Will Keep Us Together (Single Version) 3:41
Written-By – Georg Koch, Stephan Koch, Timothy Touchton

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 870 177-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Artwork By [Cover] – Spot WA, Köln
Producer – Ulrich Herter

NOTES:
Made in West Germany

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.