Burning The Ground Exclusive
Rediscovering “No Use to Borrow”: The Forgotten Dance‑Floor Gem from Blue Moderne
In the vast, neon‑lit landscape of late‑1980s dance music, countless singles pulsed through clubs only to fade into obscurity as quickly as they arrived. But every so often, one of those tracks resurfaces—revealing a story richer than its chart position ever suggested. “No Use to Borrow,” released in 1988 by the short‑lived studio project Blue Moderne, is one of those rare rediscoveries.
A One‑Off Collaboration with Serious Credentials
Blue Moderne was never meant to be a long‑term act. Instead, it was a creative collision between two seasoned talents: producer‑songwriter Ish Ledesma, known for his work with Foxy, Oxo, and Company B, and vocalist Sandy B, who would later become a fixture of the 1990s club scene with hits like “Make the World Go Round.”
In 1988, both artists were navigating a dance‑music world in transition. Freestyle was cooling, house was heating up, and club DJs were hungry for hybrid sounds. Ledesma and Sandy B stepped into that moment with “No Use to Borrow,” a track that blended freestyle’s melodic sensibility with the emerging sophistication of late‑80s club production.
Charting Modestly, Resonating Quietly
Released as part of Blue Moderne’s only studio album, Where Is Love, the single made a respectable showing on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart, peaking at #50. It wasn’t a breakout smash, but it earned enough rotation to become a familiar presence in clubs that favored soulful vocals over harder‑edged house tracks.
For DJs, the song offered something different: a polished, emotive vocal performance from Sandy B layered over Ledesma’s sleek, synth‑driven arrangements. It was dance music with a pop heart—catchy, earnest, and unmistakably of its era.
A Snapshot of a Transitional Moment in Dance Music
Listening to “No Use to Borrow” today feels like opening a time capsule from the late 1980s. The production carries the shimmer of Miami and New York club culture, while Sandy B’s vocal delivery hints at the powerhouse she would soon become. The track sits at the crossroads of genres—part freestyle, part post‑disco, part early house—reflecting a moment when dance music was reinventing itself in real time.
The album Where Is Love never spawned a follow‑up, and Bloe Modern quietly dissolved, leaving behind a small but intriguing footprint. Yet the single remains a testament to the creative experimentation happening just beneath the mainstream surface.
Why It Still Matters
In an era when digital digging has become a sport, “No Use to Borrow” stands as the kind of discovery that excites collectors and dance‑music historians alike. It’s a reminder that the club charts of the 1980s were filled with one‑off collaborations, regional favorites, and overlooked gems—tracks that may not have topped the charts but helped shape the sound of the dance floor.
For fans of Sandy B, Ish Ledesma, or the evolution of late‑80s club music, revisiting Blue Moderne offers a glimpse into the creative experiments that paved the way for the explosion of house and dance‑pop in the decade that followed.
And for everyone else, it’s simply a great excuse to turn up the volume and let a forgotten groove find new life.
SIDE A:
No Use To Borrow (Club Mix) 6:25
Engineer – ISH*, Julio Ferrer
Mixed By – Michael O’Reilly
No Use To Borrow (Edited Club Mix) 4:10
Engineer – ISH*, Julio Ferrer
Mixed By – Michael O’Reilly
SIDE B:
No Use To Cha Cha (House Mix) 6:33
Engineer – Visioneers (2)
Mixed By – Ciro Llerena
No Use To Borrow (Dub Du Jour) 4:13
Engineer – ISH*, Julio Ferrer
Mixed By – Michael O’Reilly
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #50 | 1988 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic – DMD 1105, 23 West Records – DMD 1105
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, AR Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Electro, Hi NRG, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Executive-Producer – Bob Gordon (6)
- Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – ISH*
NOTES:
Special Remix Of Atlantic LP “Where Is Love”
Printed 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!
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Interesting record, I don’t recall hearing this before. It really does capture an era of music. to me it sounds like something from late 1987, the instruments more cold and robotic, and the bass line at least on the club mix sounds very Hi-NRG /SAW with a hint of Italio Disco, yet it is a bit raw, almost a Bobby O record with better production. I love hearing classic songs I know, but it is also very cool to hear something like this that I missed or simply forgot about, like so many that got lost in the sea of… Read more »
“Joey, I love reading your breakdown — you hear all the little fingerprints of the era so clearly. You’re right, this one really does sit in that late ’87 pocket: the colder, more mechanical textures, that Hi‑NRG/SAW‑leaning bass line, and just a touch of Italo shimmer. And yes, it has that raw edge that hints at Bobby O, but with a cleaner, more polished finish. These are exactly the kinds of records that slipped through the cracks back then, buried under mountains of promo 12″s, so it’s a joy to bring them back into the light. Thank you for the… Read more »
Great find as i love discovering new old favourites on here as well as the familiar ones.
I am aware of the vocalist Sandy B with her single releases on the Nervous Records label during the 90’s.
Thanks Paul 🙂
“Thanks so much, Mark! That’s exactly what I love about sharing these — the mix of rediscovering forgotten gems and reconnecting with familiar favorites. And yes, hearing Sandy B in this earlier context is such a treat, especially knowing where her career went in the ’90s with those great Nervous releases. Really glad this one hit the spot for you!”
Cool track Dj Paul, I think this is actually new to me!
Ish can do no wrong, so many great tracks he was involved with. This totally pairs with my favorite track of his, Fascinated (obviously!).
Really enjoyed reading the write up while listening. You never disappoint me Paul, it is always so much fun wondering if there will be a new post and what it might be!!
“JP, thank you! I love hearing that this one was new to you — that’s the real joy of sharing these lost gems. Ish truly had the magic touch, and you’re right, this sits beautifully alongside ‘Fascinated.’ His productions always had that spark. I’m so glad you enjoyed the write‑up while listening; that means a lot. And your excitement about new posts always puts a smile on my face. Thanks for being here and for bringing such great energy to the start of the year!” 😊
Fantastic Track! What a gem to relive for 2026 🙂
I totally agree with you, Tim; this record has always been a favorite of mine.
I loved this track but had completely forgotten it, thanks for bringing it to our attention! Also, didn’t know the sweet vocals were by Sandy B!
“Nick, I love hearing that! It’s amazing how a track can slip from memory until it suddenly hits your ears again. And yes — those sweet vocals are Sandy B! One of those great little credits that gets lost over time. So glad this post brought the song back for you and added a new bit of trivia to enjoy!”
This track, “No Use To Borrow” (US 12″) (1988), brings back so many great memories.
This song is a perfect example of the sonic transition of 1988: it has the melodic structure of R&B, the energy of Hi-NRG, and the first hints of Garage House.
It’s the ideal song if you like that transitional sound: when drum machines were starting to get heavier, but the melodies remained elegant and soulful.
It’s a track that was playing on a night in 1988, in a club in New York or Miami, and we still enjoy it immensely at our contemporary parties today.
“Rubén, thank you for such a beautiful reflection — you captured that 1988 crossroads perfectly. Those blends of R&B melody, Hi‑NRG punch, and early Garage House really were something special. And you’re absolutely right: this one lit up dancefloors everywhere. It even made its way to Oklahoma City, where I was clubbing at the time, and it brought the same rush of energy there as it did in New York or Miami. Amazing how a track like this can still light up a room decades later. Really appreciate you sharing your memories!”
Hey Paul!! I believe I know this record. As a huge Ish fan, I pretty much tried to keep up with his career. And I feel that NYC dance music stations played it at the time. This was a great year for dance music. I am more of an Electro/Freestyle fan more than a House guy, but I did like these hybrid records. Dance music always meant to me, innovation, and trying out new ideas. Ish always made things happen with his Disco, Rock, and Latin productions. Thanks, Paul, for giving these past/lost tracks a re-spin for all of us!… Read more »
“Jeff, your enthusiasm is contagious! Ish really was one of those rare creatives who could fuse genres without ever losing the soul of the track — Disco, Rock, Latin, Freestyle, he made it all feel effortless. I love hearing that you remember this one from the NYC airwaves; that era was bursting with innovation, just like you said. These hybrid records still have so much life in them, and it’s a joy to give them another spin for fans who truly appreciate the craft. Thank you for always bringing such heart to your comments — it means the world. And… Read more »
This is why you are the best!!!
“Raymond, thank you! That means so much. I love bringing these forgotten gems back into the light, and knowing they hit the mark for you makes it all worthwhile. Really appreciate you being here!”