Category: Blancmange

Blancmange – What’s Your Problem? (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive -1985

“What’s Your Problem?” is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 27 August 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe and produced by Stewart Levine, the song captures Blancmange’s signature blend of synth-driven melodies and witty lyrics.

Upon its release, “What’s Your Problem?” achieved moderate chart success, peaking at No. 40 in the UK Singles Chart and climbing to No. 30 in Ireland. A music video accompanied the single, gaining heavy rotation on the European music TV channel Music Box, further solidifying its presence during the mid-’80s synth-pop wave.

The 12″ Single Details:

One of the highlights of the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is its extended mix, offering fans a longer and more immersive version of the track. Interestingly, this extended mix is not explicitly mentioned on the sleeve or label, making it a subtle yet noteworthy feature for collectors and fans alike.

“What’s Your Problem?” is an extended mix but this is not mentioned on the release.

“Side Two” is an extended version of “22339” from the “Believe You Me” album.

“Living On The Ceiling” is the original 12″ version.

The inclusion of “Living On The Ceiling” on this 12″ single adds an extra layer of appeal, giving listeners a chance to enjoy one of Blancmange’s most beloved tracks in its original extended form.

Legacy

“What’s Your Problem?” may not have achieved the same level of success as some of Blancmange’s earlier hits, but it remains a memorable piece of their discography. The track showcases the duo’s knack for crafting catchy synth-pop tunes while exploring themes with a touch of humor and irony. For fans of ’80s synth-pop, the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is a must-have, thanks to its unique extended versions and its nod to the band’s earlier success with “Living On The Ceiling.”

SIDE A:
What’s Your Problem? 6:58
Producer –Stewart Levine

SIDE B:
Side Two 7:35
Producer –John Owen Williams*Neil Arthur

Living On The Ceiling 5:37
Producer – Mike Howlett
Remix – Dennis WeinrichJohn Owen Williams

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – BLANX 9London Records – 882 073-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
‘Living On The Ceiling’ not mentioned on back cover.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
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

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Blancmange – Waves (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983

“Waves” is a song by English synthpop duo Blancmange, released in 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album Happy Families. It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. “Waves” reached No. 19 in the UK and remained on the charts for nine weeks.

SIDE A:
Waves 4:06
Arranged By [Strings] – Linton Naiff*
Backing Vocals – Madeline Bell, Stevie Lange
Producer – Mike Howlett
Remix – Dennis Weinreich, John Owen Williams*

Business Steps 4:26
Producer – Stephen Luscombe

SIDE B:
Game Above My Head (Extended Mix) 7:17
Bass – Bobby Collins
Producer – John Owen Williams*, Neil Arthur, Stephen Luscombe

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records ‎– BLANX 4
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Feb 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve Design] – Blancmange, Keith Breeden
Photography By – Helen Turner (3)
Photography By [Portraits] – Peter Ashworth
Written-By – Arthur*, Luscombe*

NOTES:
“Game Above My Head” is an extended mix but this is not indicated on the release.

Track A2: Excerpt from the score “Pick Up”
Commissioned by Micha Bergese for the Mantis Dance Company, as part of “Dance Umbrella 1982″

Find the 12” at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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:
Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

Blancmange – That’s Love, That It Is (Germany 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983

“That’s Love, That It Is” is a song by British synthpop band Blancmange. It was released as the band’s sixth single in 1983, taken from their second album Mange Tout. The song peaked at #33 on the UK singles chart and #16 on the US dance chart.

SIDE A:
That’s Love, That It Is 6:56

SIDE B:
Vishnu 5:18

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1982 That’s Love, That It Is U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #16

 

RELEASE INFOTMATION:
Label: London Records ‎– 6.20262 AE, London Records ‎– 6.20 262
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Guitar – David Rhodes
Photography By [Back] – Sukita*
Producer – John Luongo
Written-By – Arthur*, Luscombe*

NOTES:
Recorded at Marcus Music London & Sigma Sound New York.

Teldec Schallplatten GmbH, 2000 Hamburg 19
Made in Germany

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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:
Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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