Category: Michael Sembello

October 31, 2017

Various – The Monster Squad (US Limited Edition 7″)

BURNING THE GROUND HALLOWEEN EXCLUSIVE

Boo! Happy Halloween

“The Mobster Squad” is a limited edition 7″ single released by Mondo Records featuring two pop songs from the classic film The Monster Squad released in 1987 (“Rock Until You Drop” by Michael Sembello, and “Monster Squad” Rap by The Monster Squad). Neither of these tracks have ever been officially released. “Monster Rap” also features Michael Sembello on the chorus but he is not credited. The r7″ was released with several alternate covers and record colors.

The film features the Universal Monsters (re-imagined by a team of special effects artists, including Stan Winston), led by Count Dracula. They, in turn, combat a group of savvy kids out to keep them from controlling the world.

While not being a major success during its theatrical run and receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film has gained a positive reception from audiences and has become a cult classic in the years since its release.

The source material that Mondo used for this pressing was not the best I assume they could not find the original master tape. I have tried to restore this 7″ to the best possible quality. Still it will be fun for a spooky night of Tricks or Treats.

SIDE A:
Rock Until You Drop 3:08
Performed by – Michael Sembello

SIDE B:
Monster Rap 3:02
Performed by – The Monster Squad

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mondo (3) ‎– MOND-080
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, White With Red Splatter
Country: US
Released: 29 Apr 2016
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Dan Goldwasser, Michael Matessino

NOTES:
Limited Edition Dracula sleeve
From the motion picture “THE MONSTER SQUAD”

Find the 7″ on 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: Sovtek 12AX7LPS Vacuum Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
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

October 22, 2014

Michael Sembello – Automatic Man (US 12″ Promo)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983

“Automatic Man” was the second single released by American musician and songwriter Michael Sembello. Produced by Phil Ramone the single was taken from Sembello’s 1983 debut album Bossa Nova Hotel. Released in September 1983 “Automatic Man” became a US top 40 hit peaking at #34. On the US dance chart the single reached the #14 position. “Automatic Man” became Sembello’s last single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

The b-sdie “Summer Lovers” is the theme song for the 1983 Warner Brothers film of the same name starring Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah.

SIDE A:
Automatic Man (Extended Remix) 7:01
Producer – Phil Ramone
Remix – Danny “Ho-Daddy” Keaton*, Michael Sembello, Thom Wilson

SIDE B:
Automatic Man (Instrumental Remix) 4:02
Producer – Phil Ramone
Remix – Danny “Ho-Daddy” Keaton*, Michael Sembello, Thom Wilson

Summer Lovers (Long Version) 5:04
Engineer – Tommy Vicari
Producer – George Duke

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1983	Automatic Man	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#34
1983	Automatic Man	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#14

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎– 0-20153
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer [Mastering Engineer] – Bernie Grundman

NOTES:
“Automatic Man” from the LP: “BOSSA NOVA HOTEL”
“Summer Lover’s” from the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Soundtrack “SUMMER LOVERS”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

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

October 21, 2014

Michael Sembello – Gremlins…Mega Madness (US 7″ Promo)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

“Gremlins…Mega Madness” is a 1984 single by American musician and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Michael Sembello. The song is featured on the soundtrack for the film “Gremlins” starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates and Corey Feldman. “Gremlins…Mega Madness” was released as a single in the US, Europe and Japan but failed to chart.

This US 7″ promo contains the same track on both sides and is issued in a picture sleeve. According to the back of the sleeve a 12″ Extended Dance Remix was supposed to be released however to the best of my knowledge Geffen Records shelved the project.

SIDE A:
Gremlins…Mega Madness 3:52

SIDE AA:
Gremlins…Mega Madness 3:52

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records ‎– 9 29255-7, Geffen Records ‎– 7-29255
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Funk

CREDITS:
Producer – Mark Hudson, Michael Sembello
Written-By – Don Freeman, Mark Hudson, Michael Sembello

NOTES:
From the Warner Bros. motion picture GREMLINS · From the original motion picture sound track on Geffen Records GREMLINS.

Find The 7″ On DISCOGS

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