Category: ABC

ABC – Ocean Blue (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

“Ocean Blue” is a song by the English new wave band ABC that was released as the fourth single from their third studio album How to Be a … Zillionaire!

The song peaked at No. 51 on the UK Singles Chart; the song failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The single was the only single from the album not to chart on the Hot 100; their next single to chart there would be “When Smokey Sings” the following year.

The single version was re-recorded with drummer David Palmer after the release of the album, also referred to as the “Pacific Mix”.

SIDE A:
Ocean Blue (Atlantic Mix) 5:11
Arranged By [Strings] – Anne Dudley
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn

Tower Of London (Instrumental) 3:37
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn

SIDE B:
Be Near Me (Ecstasy Mix) 4:46
Mixed By – Martyn Webster

Ocean Blue (Pacific Mix) 3:37
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Neutron Records ‎– NTX 110
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer – Martyn Webster
Photography By – David Levine (11)
Sleeve – Design KB*, Keith Breeden
Written-By, Producer – Martin Fry
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By – Mark White

NOTES:
From the LP “How to Be a … Zillionaire!”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard:
ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

ABC – The Look Of Love (USA Remix) (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1982

side-a

“The Look of Love” is a song recorded by ABC in 1981, included on their debut album, The Lexicon of Love.

Released as a single and as a 12″ remix, it went to number one on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart as well as the Canadian pop singles chart. It was their biggest hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 4, and was a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., peaking at number 18.

The single consists of four parts, referred to as “Parts One, Two, Three and Four”. A different remix version by producer Trevor Horn appeared on the 1982 U.S. 12″.

The ’82 U.S. Extended Remix was not widely available after its initial release, but the track remained much in demand by club DJs and fans alike, and copies of the original 12″ version fetched high prices. When Neutron (the band’s UK label) discovered this, they issued a limited edition re-pressing of the Horn remix in 1985 (though they did not officially re-release the song).

SIDE A:
The Look Of Love (USA Remix – Dub Version) 7:37

SIDE B:
The Look Of Love (Part 3 – Dance Version) 4:17

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1982 The Look Of Love U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #18
1982 The Look Of Love U.S. Billboard Hot dance Club Play #1
1982 The Look Of Love U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks #32

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury ‎– MDS-4023, Mercury ‎– Intl. #6400 751
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, New Wave

CREDITS:
Producer – Trevor Horn
Written-By – ABC

NOTES:
From the album “THE LEXICON OF LOVE”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

side-b

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard:
ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

ABC – Be Near Me (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

A. Front

REQUEST

“Be Near Me” is a song by the British band ABC. It was released in March 1985 as the second single from the band’s album How to Be a … Zillionaire! It peaked at #26 on the UK singles chart in 1985, and was the only single from the album to reach the UK Top 40. It was more successful in the United States where it reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also went to #1 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart in September of that year, remaining on top for two weeks.

The “Ecstasy Mix” is exclusive to North American releases of “Be Near Me” 12″.

SIDE A:
Be Near Me (Munich Mix) 5:30

SIDE B:
Be Near Me (Ecstasy Mix) 4:45
What’s Your Destination? 3:38

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1985 Be Near Me U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #9
1985 Be Near Me U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #1

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury ‎– 884 052-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Artwork By [Sleeve Art] – ABC, David Levine, Keith Breeden
Engineer – Martyn Webster
Performer – David Yarritu, Eden (15)
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By, Performer – Mark White
Written-By, Producer, Performer – Martin Fry

NOTES:
From the Mercury album “How To Be A Millionaire”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

ABC – Valentine’s Day (Japan 7″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1982

A. Front

“Valentine’s Day” is a song recorded by English new wave group ABC in 1981, included on their debut album, The Lexicon of Love. In 1982 “Valentine’s Day” was only released as a single only in Japan. The single failed to have any chart success.

SIDE A:
Valentine’s Day 3:40

SIDE B:
The Look Of Love (Part 3) 4:17

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury ‎– 7PP-85
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: Japan
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
Credits: Producer – Trevor Horn
Written-By, Performer – ABC

NOTES:
Made in Japan

Find The 7″ On DISCOGS

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi