Author: DjPaulT

July 10, 2025

The Cover Girls – Inside Outside (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

💔 “You turn me inside out, you leave me outside in…”

Emotion, melody, and beat—freestyle heartbreak at its finest.

Today on Burning the Ground, we’re diving into a stone-cold freestyle gem from The Cover Girls—“Inside Outside.” Released in 1988 as the third single from their debut album Show Me, this track captures everything that made freestyle one of the defining dance genres of the late ’80s: high drama, lush synths, and an infectious rhythm you couldn’t escape on dance floors from NYC to Miami.

By this point, The Cover Girls—originally Angel Clivillés, Caroline Jackson, and Sunshine Wright—were riding high off the success of earlier singles like Show Me and Because of You. Inside Outside continued the streak, reaching #12 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and making its way onto the Hot 100, where it peaked at #55—a testament to freestyle’s growing mainstream appeal in 1988.

Song & Production
Written by Alex Cabrera, Andy Tripoli, and Tony Moran, “Inside Outside” marked a pivotal moment for The Cover Girls. While not as mainstream as their future crossover ballads, it still reached #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 and soared to #12 on the Dance Club Songs chart, earning heavy rotation in clubs and on mixshows across the country.

The 12″ single on Fever Records was a DJ’s dream, featuring a fierce Extended Mix alongside a Drumapella and two Dub versions. The track was mixed by Andy “Panda” Tripoli and The Latin Rascals, whose legendary tape-edit techniques are on full display. Sharp edits, rhythmic dropouts, and echo-laden vocals turn the Extended Mix into a peak-hour freestyle workout.

Legacy
While not as commercially dominant as some of their later crossover hits, Inside Outside has earned its place as a freestyle essential—a track that’s still spun at old-school nights and freestyle festivals to this day. Its mix of heartbreak and high energy is a perfect example of why this era and genre continue to resonate with so many fans decades later.

There was no music video filmed for this single.

SIDE A:
Inside Outside 6:48
Inside Outside (Drumapella) 5:37

SIDE B:
Inside Outside (Dub 1) 6:29
Inside Outside (Dub 2) 5:27

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	Inside Outside	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#55
1988	Inside Outside	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Songs	#12

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Fever Records – SF 824
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle

CREDITS:

Design [Album Design] – Mendel*
Edited By – Chep Nunez*, Dennis Muyet
Executive-Producer – Sal Abbatiello
Hair [Hair Stylist] – Francel Montane
Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ¢] – Tom Coyne
Make-Up – Be-nard Giles
Mixed By, Producer – Andy “Panda” Tripoli, The Latin Rascals
Photography By – Patrick Pacheco
Written-By – A. Cabrera*, A. Tripoli*, T. Moran*

NOTES:
Jacket made in Canada

Edited for SoS Entertainment

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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.

July 9, 2025

Joyce “Fenderella” Irby – Mr. D.J. (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“Mr. D.J.” marked the solo breakout for Klymaxx founding member Joyce “Fenderella” Irby—bass player, songwriter, and all-around groove generator. Coming off her years of success with “I Miss You” and “Meeting in the Ladies Room,” Joyce hit the late ’80s club scene with this funk-driven jam featuring none other than the Original Human Beatbox, Doug E. Fresh.

Released in 1989 as the lead single from her debut solo LP Maximum Thrust, the track kicks off with Doug E.’s unmistakable vocal percussion before sliding into Joyce’s sweet and soulful plea for the DJ to keep her dancing. It’s an early example of R&B merging with hip-hop elements—before it became the mainstream formula.

The track was co-produced by Dallas Austin, who Joyce helped launch into the industry. He’d go on to produce hits for TLC, Boyz II Men, and Madonna—but this is where it all started.

“Mr. D.J.” hit #2 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and cracked the Dance charts too. It’s infectious, smartly produced, and undeniably funky.

This 12″ mix stretches the groove for the dancefloor, extending Doug E.’s beatbox breakdowns and giving the instrumental room to breathe. If you love that New Jack swing/R&B/hip-hop crossover sound of ’88–’90, this one deserves a spot in your rotation.

SIDE A:
Mr. D.J. (Extended Version) 6:32
Featuring – Doug E. Fresh

SIDE B:
Mr. D.J. (Radio Edit) 4:07
Featuring – Doug E. Fresh

Mr. D.J. (Instrumental) 6:10

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1989	Mr. D.J.	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#2
1989	Mr. D.J.	U.S. Billboard Dance Music / Club Play	#23

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – MOT-4634
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Hip Hop, Funk / Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B

CREDITS:

Arranged By – Dallas Austin, Fenderella*
Executive Producer – Jheryl Busby, Joyce “Fenderella” Irby
Producer – Fenderella*
Remix – Timmy Regisford

NOTES:
Produced for Diva I Productions

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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.

June 30, 2025

Thank You for an Incredible Pride Month — See You July 9!

As June comes to a close, I just want to take a moment to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey through music, memory, and celebration. This year’s Pride Month on Burning the Ground has been one of the most special yet — a vibrant mix of anthems, deep cuts, camp classics, and unexpected gems that have moved us, united us, and made us dance.

Together, we paid tribute to pioneers like Divine, Malcolm McLaren, Pete Burns, and k.d. lang… we turned the volume up on forgotten 12″ remixes, glittering club anthems, and powerful messages of love, identity, and freedom. Whether it was a synth-pop banger or a disco confession, each post was a small act of celebration and remembrance — for the voices we’ve lost, the lives we’ve lived, and the joy we continue to share.

Now, I’m signing off for a short vacation and will be taking a much-needed break until July 9. During this time, there won’t be any new posts, but feel free to explore the archives and revisit some favorites — there’s always something worth rediscovering.

To everyone who has commented, shared a memory, or simply stopped by to listen — thank you. Your presence here keeps the music alive.

Stay safe, stay proud, and I’ll see you back here in July with more vinyl treasures and sonic surprises.

With love and appreciation,
Paul (DJPaulT) 🏳️‍🌈🌴

June 27, 2025

Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu (Europe 12″) (1980)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Today’s Pride Month feature transports us straight to a fantasy realm of disco lights, roller skates, and synth-drenched euphoria—“Xanadu” by Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra, the unforgettable title track from the 1980 cult musical film Xanadu.

I’m spotlighting the European 12” single, which includes the album version of “Xanadu” backed with “Fool Country,” a track featured in the film but not included on the official soundtrack. As a special treat, I’ve also added a bonus remix: the “Re-Glittered Mix” by Steve Anderson of DMC fame—a Pride-ready version that’s pure sparkle and spectacle.

🪩 Chart Success
“Xanadu” became a massive international hit. In the UK, it soared to #1 on the Singles Chart—making it ELO’s only UK #1 hit. In the U.S., it peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning both Olivia and ELO another top 10 pop smash. The song’s jubilant fusion of Jeff Lynne’s symphonic rock production with Olivia’s airy, crystalline vocals captured the hearts of both disco and pop fans alike.

🎶 Soundtrack Anniversary
Here’s something special: the Xanadu soundtrack turns 45 years old today! Released in the U.S. June 1980, the album has become a cult classic—featuring side A by Olivia Newton-John and side B by ELO. While the film itself polarized critics, the music became a beloved part of pop culture, especially within LGBTQ+ communities who embraced its theatricality, glam, and fantasy.

🌈 A Legendary Mardi Gras Performance
Another magical Pride moment: In 2008, Olivia performed “Xanadu” live at Sydney’s Mardi Gras, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the event. Wearing a dazzling disco sequin kimono, she took the stage at 4AM at the Royal Hall Of Industries before a crowd of over 18,000 fans—serving vocals, glam, and sheer joy. The remix she performed to? Yes, the very same Steve Anderson Re-Glittered Mix included here. The audience, as you’d expect, went wild.

Why “Xanadu” for Pride Month?
Because it’s joyful. It’s camp. It’s fantasy. And it’s a radiant reminder that escapism, glamour, and individuality are powerful tools of self-expression. Olivia Newton-John has always been a beloved icon in the LGBTQ+ community, and Xanadu is one of the glittering jewels in her crown.

This track is an open invitation to dream—to step out of the gray and into the neon. And during Pride, what could be more fitting?

🎶 “Now that I’m here, now that you’re near… in Xanadu.” 🎶

SIDE A:
Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu 3:30
Producer – Jeff Lynne
Written-By – Lynne*

SIDE B:
Olivia Newton-John – Fool Country 2:28
Producer – John Farrar
Written-By – Farrar*

BONUS REMIX:
Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu (Re-Glittered Mix) 10:30
Remix – Steve Anderson And His Merry Mirrorball Men*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	Xanadu	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#8
1980	Xanadu	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	#2

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Jet Records – JET 12.185, Jet Records – 12.185
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
Country: Europe
Released: 1980
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, Disco

NOTES:
Made in Holland

Side A Taken from the soundtrack album “Xanadu”

Bonus Remix taken from DMC Hit Mixes 195

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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.