Author: DjPaulT

May 19, 2025

Bruce Springsteen – Cover Me (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: December 6, 2012

“The times are tough now, just getting tougher…”

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen was riding a tidal wave of success thanks to his Born in the U.S.A. album, which launched a string of chart-topping singles that fused heartland rock with a radio-friendly polish. One of the album’s standout tracks was “Cover Me,” a brooding, desperate plea for emotional shelter amidst an increasingly hostile world. While not originally intended for Springsteen himself—he had written it for disco queen Donna Summer—the track took on a rawer edge in his hands, becoming the second single released from the LP.

What’s most fascinating for dance and remix fans is that “Cover Me” was also given the extended mix treatment, transforming its moody rock energy into something surprisingly club-ready. The “Undercover Mix” (also referred to as the Dance Remix) clocked in at over 6 minutes and was released on 12″ vinyl, complete with dub and radio edit versions. Remixed by Arthur Baker, who had already made waves with Afrika Bambaataa and later worked with New Order and Hall & Oates, this version of “Cover Me” added electronic percussion, echo effects, and a pulsing bassline that pushed Springsteen into dance-rock territory—a rarity at the time.

This remix is a perfect example of that brief mid-’80s window when rock artists weren’t afraid to court the dancefloor. Baker’s production doesn’t overwhelm the original’s grit—it complements it, turning “Cover Me” into a darker, almost post-apocalyptic groove. Springsteen’s passionate vocals remain front and center, but now they echo into cavernous spaces, as if calling out from the depths of Reagan-era America.

The 12″ single also includes the Dub Version, which strips the song to its rhythmic core, teasing out fragments of guitar and vocal over a deep groove. For collectors and remix lovers, these versions show just how versatile Springsteen’s music could be when placed in the right hands.

“Cover Me” peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of The Boss’s most enduring hits. But for those of us digging in the crates, the dance remix takes the song to unexpected, exhilarating places.

Though Springsteen wasn’t typically associated with the club scene, the success of “Dancing in the Dark” and “Cover Me” on the dance charts showed his crossover appeal. The Undercover Mix of “Cover Me” actually reached #11 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart, giving Bruce a surprising but welcome presence in nightclubs.

SIDE A:
Cover Me (Undercover Mix) 6:12
Cover Me (Dub I) 4:12

SIDE B:
Cover Me (Radio) 3:49
Cover Me (Dub II) 4:13

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1984	Cover Me	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#7
1984	Cover Me	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#2
1984	Cover Me	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#11

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05087, Columbia – 44 05087
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Rock & Roll, Pop

CREDITS:

Design – Andrea Klein
Mastered By – George Marino
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Photography By – Annie Leibovitz
Producer [Additional 12″ Production], Remix – Arthur Baker
Recorded By – Bill Scheniman
Remix – Toby Scott

NOTES:
Special Versions From The Columbia Lp: “Born In The U.S.A.” QC 38653.

Based on original production by: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Steve Van Zandt.

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.

May 15, 2025

Sarah McLachlan – Vox (Canada 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Before she became an international icon of emotional, ethereal pop, Sarah McLachlan made her first bold statement with “Vox,” the debut single from her 1988 album Touch. Released in Canada via Nettwerk Records and later in the U.S. through Arista, “Vox” introduced a uniquely expressive voice and a lush, atmospheric sound that hinted at the brilliance to come.

A New Voice in Canadian Music
“Vox” (Latin for voice) marked the world’s first glimpse of McLachlan’s signature blend of poetic introspection, layered production, and soaring vocals. Written by McLachlan herself at just 19, the song blends new wave, pop, and subtle hints of folk, creating a dreamlike soundscape that would later define her career.

The original Touch album was produced by Greg Reely and Terry McBride (co-founder of Nettwerk), but an alternate U.S. version featured new mixes and a fuller sound, courtesy of famed producer Pierre Marchand, who would become her longtime collaborator.

Chart Performance and Reception
While “Vox” didn’t initially chart in the U.S., it performed modestly in Canada, reaching the Top 100 and building McLachlan’s reputation as a rising alternative artist. Over time, it became a cult favorite and a staple on Canadian alternative and college radio in the late ’80s.

Its accompanying music video — filled with shadowy lighting and surreal imagery — helped expand her profile during the early days of MuchMusic and MTV’s alternative blocks.

Legacy
Though it didn’t become a breakout hit, “Vox” is essential listening for fans of McLachlan’s work. It serves as a time capsule of late ’80s alternative pop and a blueprint for the emotionally charged, sonically rich music that she would later perfect on albums like Solace (1991) and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993).

In retrospect, “Vox” stands as a powerful opening statement — raw yet elegant, and full of promise. It’s not just the beginning of McLachlan’s recording career; it’s the origin of a voice that would define a generation of introspective pop music.

SIDE A:
Vox (Extended Remix) 6:58

SIDE B:
Vox (Radio Mix) 4:21
Vox (Dub) 5:47

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Nettwerk – NT12 3023
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Canada
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Bass – David Kershaw
Drums – Ross Hales
Edited By – George Maniatis, Greg Reely
Guitar [Electric] – Stephen Nikleva
Guitar [Slide] – Kevin Kane
Keyboards – Darren Phillips
Producer – Greg Reely
Written-By, Vocals, Guitar [12-string], Keyboards – Sarah McLachlan

NOTES:
The four-point MAPL icon (Music, Artist, Performance, Lyrics) indicates 100% Canadian Content (CanCon).

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

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.

May 14, 2025

Moev – In And Out (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“In And Out” is a standout track by Canadian electronic band Moev, featured on their 1990 album Head Down. The song exemplifies the group’s moody, synth-driven aesthetic, blending darkwave textures with a strong melodic sensibility that set them apart from many contemporaries in the industrial and synth-pop scenes.

A notable element of “In And Out” is the haunting backing vocals provided by a then-rising star, Sarah McLachlan. Her contribution adds an ethereal layer to the track, contrasting the raw, emotionally charged vocals of lead singer Dean Russell.

Dean Russell’s distinctive delivery brought an aching vulnerability to Moev’s sound during the late 1980s and early ’90s. Tragically, Russell passed away in 1994 from complications related to AIDS. His death marked the end of an era for the band, which disbanded shortly afterward.

Head Down, and particularly “In And Out,” remains a powerful snapshot of a band at the height of its creative powers—fusing melancholy lyrics, brooding synths, and poignant performances. The song is both a product of its time and a lasting tribute to Russell’s artistry.

SIDE A:
In And Out (12″ Remix) 6:38
Backing Vocals – Sarah McLachlan
Keyboards [Additional] – Eric Kupper
Mixed By – Bruce Calder
Producer [Additinal For Remix] – Tony Garcia (6)
Producer, Recorded By – John Fryer
Recorded By – Ken Marshall
Recorded By [Assistant] – David Chiasson

In And Out (Dub) 4:31
Backing Vocals – Sarah McLachlan
Keyboards [Additional] – Eric Kupper
Mixed By – Bruce Calder
Producer [Additinal For Remix] – Tony Garcia (6)
Producer, Recorded By – John Fryer
Recorded By – Ken Marshall
Recorded By [Assistant] – David Chiasson

SIDE B:
In And Out (Radio Remix) 4:11
Backing Vocals – Sarah McLachlan
Mixed By – Michael R. Hutchinson*
Producer, Recorded By – John Fryer
Recorded By – Ken Marshall
Recorded By [Assistant] – David Chiasson

Alibis (CBC Live) 4:59
Drums – Ron Thaler
Engineer – David Olgilvie*
Lead Vocals – Cal Stephenson
Producer – Kevin Komoda

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Naer Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Rebel Rec. – SPV 055-30933
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Artwork By – William Dickson II
Bass, Drum Programming, Guitar, Keyboards – Kelly Cook
Drums, Electronics – Ron Thaler
Keyboards, Programmed By – Tom Ferris
Layout – John Rummen
Photography – Van Hai
Producer – Moev
Vocals – Dean Russell

NOTES:
Recorded at Mushroom Studios

From the album “HEAD DOWN”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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.

May 13, 2025

Yaz / Sunfire – Don’t Go / Shake Your Body (US 12″ Promo) (1982)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Double Discovery: Yaz & Sunfire – A Sire Records Promo Exclusive

Today’s post is a Double Discovery courtesy of Sire Records—two standout tracks from two very different but equally essential acts of the early ’80s. This special promotional 12″ brings together synth-pop and soul/funk on one slab of vinyl, offering a rare pairing that’s both surprising and satisfying.

Side A: Yazoo – “Don’t Go” (Long Version)
Kicking things off is the synth-pop classic “Don’t Go” by the English duo Yazoo (known simply as Yaz in North America). While the label lists this as the “Long Version,” what’s actually pressed here is a unique edit of the “Re-Mix + Re-Re-Mix” found on most commercial 12″ singles—making this version exclusive to this promotional release. A high-energy track driven by Vince Clarke’s signature synth work and Alison Moyet’s powerhouse vocals, “Don’t Go” climbed all the way to #1 on the US Billboard Dance Chart and remains a dancefloor staple.

Side B: Sunfire – “Shake Your Body”
Flipping the record, we dive into a soulful, funk-infused groove from New York-based trio Sunfire. Their track “Shake Your Body” is a tight, feel-good jam produced by none other than Reggie Lucas—best known for his work on Madonna’s “Borderline.” Sunfire only released one self-titled album in 1982 before quietly disbanding, but this track shows they certainly left behind a few gems.

This promo 12″ not only showcases the diversity of Sire Records’ roster at the time but also delivers two dancefloor-ready cuts that span genres and styles. A must-have for collectors and fans of early ’80s dance music.

SIDE A:
Yaz– Don’t Go (Long Version) 5:57
Written-By – Clarke

Yaz– Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I) (LP Version) 4:40
Written-By – Moyet

Yaz– Bad Connection (LP Version) 3:18
Written-By – Clarke

SIDE B:
Sunfire– Shake Your Body (Long Version) 5:22
Written-By – Dean Gant, Rowland Smith

Sunfire– Shake Your Body (Edit) 3:33
Written-By – Dean Gant, Rowland Smith

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – PRO-A-1072, Warner Bros. Records – PRO-A-1072, Mute – PRO-A-1072
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Promo, Double Discovery
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Synth-pop, Funk

CREDITS:

Noises, Producer [Additional] – Daniel Miller (tracks: A1 to A3)
Producer – E.C. Radcliffe* (tracks: A1 to A3), Reggie Lucas (tracks: B1, B2), Yaz* (tracks: A1 to A3)

NOTES:
Promotional Copy – Not For Sale.

On cover: Double Discovery.

Side A: From the Sire Album Upstairs At Eric’s (1-23737)
Side B: From the Warner Bros Album Sunfire (1-23730)

Made in U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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.