Category: Various Artists

Band Aid – Band Aid Special (Japan LP)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

Probably my biggest undertaking to date since I usually do not transfer full albums. I have been working on this off and on over the last rew days and I think it turned out nicely. The Japan pressings always sound very good. I realize this album was released on CD however I prefer vinyl and for those of you who share that love I really hope you enjoy this collection.

Happy, Merry Christmas! -DjPaulT

“Band Aid Special” is a 1985 album compiled by Mercury Records in Japan, released on March 31, 1985 a few months after the release of the single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”. This compilation contains all three mixes of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”that were originally released on 12” single. The rest of the album was filled artists that were involved with the recording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, along with other artists to fill out the album.

The album was re-issued in December 1985 under the title “Rock ‘Now” 12 Hits!”.

Band Aid is a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians and recording artists.was founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” for the Christmas market that year. On 25 November 1984, the song was recorded at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, and was released in the UK four days later. The single surpassed the hopes of the producers to become the Christmas number one on that release. The 12″ version was mixed by Trevor Horn.

SIDE A:
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? (12″ Mix) 6:13
Engineer – Trevor Horn
Producer – Midge Ure, Trevor Horn
Remix – Trevor Horn
Written-By – Geldof*, Ure*

Big Country – In A Big Country 3:52
Producer – Steve Lillywhite
Written-By – Big Country

Marilyn – Calling Your Name 4:04
Producer – Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley
Written-By – Marilyn, Caplin*

Status Quo – Marguerita Time 3:27
Producer – Quo*
Written-By – Frost*, Rossi*

The Boomtown Rats – Tonight 3:53
Producer – The Boomtown Rats
Written-By – Bob Geldof

Genesis – That’s All  4:23
Producer – Genesis, Hugh Padgham
Written-By – Genesis

SIDE B:
Band Aid– Do They Know It’s Christmas? 3:53
Engineer – Steve Lipsom*
Producer – Midge Ure, Trevor Horn
Written-By – Geldof*, Ure*

BBon Jovi – Runaway 3:51
Producer – Lance Quinn, Tony Bongiovi
Written-By – G. Karak*, J. Bon Jovi*

Elton John – Sad Songs (Say So Much) 4:48
Producer – Chris Thomas
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin

ABC – The Look Of Love 3:29
Producer – Trevor Horn
Written-By – ABC

Tears For Fears – Mothers Talk 3:54
Backing Vocals – Stevie Lange
Producer – Chris Hughes
Written-By – Ian Stanley

Band Aid – Feed The World 4:16
Engineer – Steve Lipsom*
Producer – Midge Ure, Trevor Horn
Written-By – Geldof*, Ure*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI: Near Mint
Insert: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 25PP-161
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: Japan
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Alternative Rock, New Wave, Pop Rock, Synth-pop

NOTES:
Among super hits of prominent names included on this special compilation album are songs by The Boomtown Rats, Big Country, Genesis, Status Quo, and Marilyn who participated in the Band Aid project.

℗ 1985 Phonogram International, B.V.
Manufactured and Distributed by Nippon Phonogram Co., Ltd.
Made in Japan

Find the LP 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: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold 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

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

Wham! – Summer Fun Mega Mix (US 12″ Promo)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1990

I originally posted this fun 12″ on George’s birthday way back in 2012. At that time I was still using ClickRepair and the old stylus this 12″ was way over due to have a new meticulous re-rip and 2017 remaster. Also created a new picture sleeve to go along with it!

On this 12″ we have the Wham! “Summer Fun Megamix”. A really nice mix featuring some of Wham!’s biggest hits including “Wham! Rap”, Freedom, I’m Your Man” and more. On the filip side is a megamix of early 80’s disco/funk/r&b tracks, including “Love Come Down” by Evelyn King, “Get Down Saturday Night” by Oliver Cheatham, and “You’re The One For Me” by D-Train.

Black Wax was an an early 1990s bootleg remix label which put out remixes and megamixes of music covering everything from ’50s to ’90s music. Many of the single artist remixes have new production under them making them very unique.

SIDE A:
Wham! – Wham Summer Fun Mega Mix 5:44
A.1 Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do)
A.2 Club Tropicana
A.3 Young Guns (Go For It)
A.4 Bad Boys
A.5 I’m Your Man
A.6 Freedom
A.7 I’m Your Man (Extended Stimulation)

SIDE B:
Various – Classic Grooves 3:13
B.1 Unique (5) – What I Got Is What You Need (Vocal Mix)
B.2 Sharon Redd – Never Give You Up (West End Girls)
B.3 Evelyn King – Love Come Down
B.4 Phil Fearon & Galaxy – Dancing Tight
B.5 Terri Wells – I’ll Be Around
B.6 Oliver Cheatham – Get Down Saturday Night
B.7 D-Train – You’re The One For Me
B.8 D-Train – Music (Get Dancin’)
B.9 D-Train – Keep On

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Black Wax‎– BW4
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Unofficial Release
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

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

Various – Selections From Yulesville and Winter Warnerland (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND HOLIDAY EXCLUSIVE

I couldn’t really figure out what to post for Christmas this year so I decided to put together a selection of tracks taken from two seperate Warner Brothers Christmas compilations. “Yulesville” (1987) and “Winter Warnerland” (1988). Most of the tracks were exclusive to these records at the time of their release. The selections that I chose are some of my favorites from these two records. I hope that they will become favorites for you too. Merry Christmas!

“We Three Kings” is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. Produced by the prodigious Flood, who has worked with artists such as Erasure and Depeche Mode, Book Of Love’s holiday offering is positively regal, and should whet the appetites of kings, queens and everything in between..

“Silent Night” performed by British synth-pop band Erasure who at the time had just released their LP “The Circus” added not only a Christmas message but their own Erasurized version of this holiday classic.

“Blue Christmas” is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and most famously performed by Elvis Presley. Former LEMMON KITTEN, Danielle Dax who at the time had just relesed her album “Dark Adapted Eye” which featured the UK smashes “Cathouse” and “Big Hollow Man”. recorded her version of “Blue Christmas” which is so good, it ought to keep Elvis from coming back for more…(oops, did I say that?)

“I Believe in Father Christmas” is a song by English musician Greg Lake with lyrics by Peter Sinfield. Canadian band Honeymoon Suite recorded the song exclusively for the “Winter Warnerland” compilation and it’s a beauty.

Both tracks taken from the original vinyl release.

YULESVILLE:
Book Of Love – We Three Kings 3:17
Producer – Flood

Erasure – Silent Night/Erasure Christmas 0:54
Producer – Erasure

WINTER WARNERLAND:
Danielle Dax – Blue Christmas 1:35
Producer – Danielle Dax
Recorded by Danielle Dax and David Knight
Recorded at Fortress Dax Studio

Honeymoon Suite – I Believe In Father Christmas 3:06
Producer – Honeymoon Suite
Engineer – Michael Sarracini

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎– PRO-A-2896, Warner Bros. Records ‎– PRO-A-3328
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Compilation, Promo, Red/Green Transparent
Country: US
Released: 1987/1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, Alternative

CREDITS:
Engineer – Lee Herschberg, Marc Craue
Executive Producer – Greg Lee, Kevin Laffey
Mastered By – Bobby Hata

NOTES:
Taken from promotional compilation LP’s “YULESVILLE” and “WINTER WARNELAND”.

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