Category: The Escape Club

The Escape Club – Shake For The Sheik (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988

“Shake For The Sheik” is a song by English pop-rock band The Escape Club, from their 1988 album Wild Wild West. Written by the band members and produced by Chris Kimsey, the song was released as the album’s second single and reached number 28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1989.

“Shake for the Sheik”, the follow-up to the U.S. number one hit “Wild, Wild West”, was released as a single in November 1988. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at number 81 in December. The song spent five weeks in the Top 40 section of the chart, peaking at number 28 in January 1989. The single remained on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks. “Shake for the Sheik” reached number 24 on the Singles Sales chart and number 28 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. The song also reached number 46 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

Lead vocalist Trevor Steel said the song “was going down well, especially since we considered ourselves a live band. The humor of the title was a little lost on the U.S. audience, since Americans pronounce Sheik differently than we in the UK do.”

SIDE A:
Shake For The Sheik (Dance Version) 7:22
Remix – John Luongo

Shake For The Sheik (Edit) 3:48

SIDE B:
Shake For The Sheik (Dub Mix) 6:17
Remix – John Luongo

Working For The Fatman (LP Version) 2:57

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1988 Shake For The Sheik U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #28

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic ‎– 0-86477
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Dance-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer – Christopher Marc Potter (tracks: B2), Gary Hellman (tracks: A1 to B1)
Keyboards – Arthur Stead
Producer – Chris Kimsey

NOTES:
The label lists the A2 mix name as “AOR Mix”.

From the LP “Wild Wild West”

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: Schiit Mani
Soundcard: ESI Juli@ XTe Audio Interface
Monitiring: 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

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The Escape Club – Wild, Wild West (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
A. Front
hype

Originally posted March 25, 2010

“Wild, Wild West” is a song by The Escape Club from their similarly named debut album, Wild Wild West. The single hit the charts in late 1988 eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of November 12, 1988, making The Escape Club the only British artist to have a No. 1 hit in America while never charting in the UK.

The lyrics, with phrases such as “I love her eyes and her wild, wild hair,” “heading for the ’90s, living in the wild, wild west,” are augmented with gunshot, laser and blaster sound effects. Critics have noted that portions of the song bore a strong similarity to Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up” due to the distinct drum beat and vocal patterns during the verses.

The music video is noted for using mirror imaging of actors to give the illusion of disembodied arms and legs.

In 1989, Wally Wingert parodied it on the Dr. Demento radio show as “Adam West,” in response to the casting of Michael Keaton as the title character for that year’s Batman film.

I added as bonus tracks the “Artillery Mix” and “Bacapella” which I lifted from the US 12″ promo these versions are exclusive to this release. “We Can Run” is a non-lp track.

SIDE A:
Wild, Wild West (Dance Mix) 7:54
Wild, Wild West (Single Edit) 3:59

SIDE B:
Wild, Wild West (Wild, Wild Dub Club) 7:20
We Can Run 3:40

BONUS TRACKS:
Wild, Wild West (Artillery Mix) 5:58
Wild, Wild West (Bacapella) 5:45

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1988 Wild, Wild West U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1
1988 Wild, Wild West U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #3
1988 Wild, Wild West U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #36

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic ‎– 0-86544
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Pop Rock, Dance-pop

CREDITS:
Design, Art Direction – Stylorouge
Engineer – Gary Hellman
Management – Paddy Spinks*, Tony Smith (13)
Photography By – Nels Israelson
Producer – Chris Kimsey
Producer [Additional], Mixed By, Edited By – John Luongo
Written-By – The Escape Club

NOTES:
Also available the LP “Wild Wild West”

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

Spirit Of The Forest – Spirit Of The Forest (US 12″)

BTG EARTH DAY EXCLUSIVE 1989

New 2015 Re-Rip!
Meticulously Remastered!
First time in 24bit Flac!

Originally posted April 22, 2011

In celebration of Earth Day I thought it would be great to re-rip this gem from 1989 I really hope that you like it and that you get it’s message.

The first-ever collaboration of top musical artist to help rescue the Earth’s fast disappearing tropical rainforests. “Spirit of the Forest”, conceived, written, and produced by the English environmentalist band, Gentlemen Without Weapons, is a heart-wrenching anthem designed to draw international attention to this unparalleled global environmental crisis.

Over the course of several recording sessions in Los Angeles, New York, London, Rio, and the Brazilian rainforest itself (with native Caraja Indians), the final version of the song was completed. Among the artists heard on the record are David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Olivia Newton-John, Belinda Carlisle, Ringo Starr, Thomas Dolby, Mick Fleetwood, Brian Wilson, Kate Pierson of the B-52’s, Donna Summer, Taylor Dayne, Deborah Harry and Joni Mitchell. In addition, Brazilian artists Ivan Lins, Gilberto Gil, and Djavan have also joined in.

Although covering just 7% of the world’s land surface, the equatorial rainforest belt contains half of all known species of plants and animals, and acts as a global atmospheric regulator. As third world nations, like Brazil, continue to burn, harvest, and plough under the forests for short-term human corporate gain, the Earth faces increasing danger from global greenhouse warming and desertification. Additionally, deforestation drives indigenous peoples from their ancestral homes. Scientists around the world agree that destruction of the rainforest is a planetary catastrophe of the first magnitude. The aim of “Spirit of the Forest” is to alert people everywhere that this is an issue of utmost importance to all life on earth.

Every minute, an expanse of rainforest the size of twenty football fields is destroyed. That equals an area the size of the state of New Hampshire every day! The release of “Spirit of the Forest” is designed to raise both the voices and funds in this unprecendented challenge to all life on Earth.

The power of music is very strong – the message of this record is very direct:
LET IT BE HEARD.

SIDE A:
Spirit Of The Forest (12″ A) 5:16
Solo Vocals:

  • Chris Rea
  • Mr. Mister
  • XTC
  • Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
  • Brian Wilson
  • Joni Mitchell
  • Ringo Starr
  • Fish
  • Belinda Carlisle
  • Deborah Harry
  • Bonnie Raitt
  • Kate Bush
  • Little Steven
  • Jon Anderson
  • Sam Brown
  • The Escape Club
  • Olivia Newton-John
  • Louise Goffin

SIDE B:
Spirit Of The Forest (12″ AA) 5;09
Solo Vocals:

  • Iggy Pop
  • Ramones
  • Donna Summer
  • Chris Rea
  • Thomas Dolby
  • Was (Not Was)
  • Kim Wilde
  • Taylor Dayne
  • Brother Beyond
  • Richie Havens
  • Louise Goffin
  • Jon Anderson
  • Rita Coolidge
  • Lacy J. Dalton

Theme To Spirit Of The Forest (12″ Mix) 5:48

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Cover: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Virgin – 796551-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Vocal

CREDITS:
Producer – Gentlemen Without Weapons
Backing Vocals: Africa Bambaata, Amy Sky, Andy Fairweather-Lowe, B-52’s, The, Big Country, Bruce Foxton, David Clayton-Thomas, Dolette McDonald, Fleetwood Mac, Gentlemen Without Weapons, It Bites, Johnnie Warman, Jungle Brothers, LL Cool J, Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Bonet, Marc Jordan, Michael De Barre, Plasmatics, Raging Hormones, Shikisha

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

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 Removeal: 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