Burning The Ground Exclusive -1983
In the early 1980s, the world of electronic music was rapidly evolving, and British group Colourbox was at the forefront of this creative revolution. Among their many standout tracks, “Breakdown” holds a special place. Originally released as the band’s debut single in 1982, this track encapsulates the experimental spirit of the era while showcasing the band’s unique blend of dub, soul, and electronic pop influences.
But it’s the 1983 Second Version of “Breakdown” that truly stands out. In contrast to the slower, funkier first version, the second version transforms the song into a syrupy new wave dance jam. Featuring the striking new vocals of Lorita Grahame, it pairs a hard-driving beat with intricate tape edits. This style would later foreshadow the Young brothers’ pioneering work in sampling, first showcased in tracks like Hot Doggie and later brought to the mainstream as M|A|R|R|S with the groundbreaking hit Pump Up the Volume.
The second version is packed with innovation. It’s faster, more dynamic, and built for the dance floor, yet retains the emotional depth that made the original so captivating. The production is razor-sharp, and the layers of sound give it a genre-defying quality that only Colourbox could pull off.
On the same EP, “Tarantula”, written by Martyn Young and sung by Grahame, is another standout track. It’s one part cutter anthem, another part political screed, and yet another part genre-bending dub cut. The haunting, otherworldly vibe earned it the nickname “dub goth,” and it’s easy to imagine a 16-year-old Zooey Deschanel on ludes vibing to it in Thatcherite Britain. Sadly, its themes remain relevant today.
These tracks are a reminder of how Colourbox pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be, merging genres and sounds in ways that were truly ahead of their time. Breakdown (Second Version), with its danceable energy and sonic ingenuity, is a testament to their fearless creativity.
SIDE A:
Breakdown (Second Version) 7:50
Engineer, Producer – Mick Glossop
SIDE B:
Tarantula (Second Version) 8:14
Engineer – John Fryer
Producer – Colourbox
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12067
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Artwork – 23 Envelope
- Mastered By – BilBo (3) (tracks: A), DB* (tracks: B)
- Written-By – Robbins*, Young*
NOTES:
Track A produced and engineered for Smoothside Limited.
Although uncredited, both tracks differ from the 7″ and are extended versions.
Promotional Copy Not For Sale
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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Thanks for shining the light on these tracks. Colourbox is a secret gem that often gets overlooked. It’s wonderful to have a good quality transfer.
The 4AD supergroup This Mortal Coil did a haunting version of Tarantula on their 1986 album Filigree & Shadow.
Thanks again and take care.
Looking forward to hearing this! Weren’t one or more of the members of Colourbox in another famous band ?? No wait, my brain just worked – that was Colourfield!! (with the guy from the Specials and Fun Boy Three) ha ha!
Anyway, thanks for this, will look forward to hearing a 4AD artist I haven’t heard. All I know of 4AD is one of my top 10 favorite bands ever, Cocteau Twins.
Me again, Paul 🙂 Thank you for introducing me to Colourbox. I´ve spent the last hour listening to several of their songs, like Arena, The Moon Is Blue, Keep On Pushing, Suspicion and many more. I recognized their “World Cup Theme” and “Baby I Love You So” but could never have guessed by who they were. Awesome music. What a band. 🙂
Thank you for another amazing, rare 12″, Paul!!! The bass line of this version always reminded me of Ministry’s “Everyday is Halloween”. They included both versions of this song on the 4xCD Colourbox compilation a few years back, but the transfer was not very good. So glad I finally have it in DjPaulT quality! Too bad the brothers (or their label) weren’t savvy enough to reissue some of their Colourbox singles with a “MARRS” remix to take advantage of their newfound fame.
You’re welcome, Martika. I did not know a CD was released with the tracks. I don’t buy CDs much anymore because they are usually mastering sub-par. I am glad I had this in my collection for those who had never heard of their pre-MARRS work. I thought this one sounded like “Everyday Is Halloween” too 🙂
THANKS FOR SHARING QUALITY MUSIC!!! Another excellent BTG release of a forgotten 80s gem featuring brilliant mixing with dub delays and even a bit of tape editing efx. I love it when you handpick obscure audio delights such as this one. Thanks for all your dedication, attention to detail and hard work. Simply lovely, lovely and more lovely.
Thanks so much, I appreciate your comment 🙂
Hi Paul and everyone, I knew of the link to M/A/R/R/S – “Pump up the volume” via the legendary English DJ called “John Peel” who had a late-night radio show on Radio 1 [UK], John Peel showcased many new and unsigned band bands first into the UK mainstream. He also introduced me to a track from “Colourbox” titled “Say You” which has remained one of my longtime favourites. Thanks for the upload, I had never known anyone else who has heard of “Colourbox” so this was a blast from the past and a great surprise, thanks again DJ Paul T… Read more »
You’re welcome, Terry I have listened to a few of John Peel’s shows. Good stuff 🙂
You amaze me time and time again, dear est Paul. I don´t think I have ever heard this on before – and I LOVE it! The crazy edits should be right up Jeff´s alley, I´m sure. I´m just listening to the first version and I love that one, too. Can´t decide which version to prefer. Well, why not like both 🙂 “Tarantula” is great, too. Awesome post, Paul.
Thank you Song And Dance. I agree both versions are great.
LOVE Colourbox… can’t wait to compare these versions with what I have… everything they did culminated in the amazing M/A/R/R/S side project!
Thanks!
You’re welcome, ING 🙂
You are on fire lately, Paul! I love these kinds of records the best. All that innovation that’s involved, and of course, multi-edits!!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. I know you will appreciate the edits 🙂
It’s a shame they only made one proper album, it’s a classic I still listen to regularly.
BTW, the singer’s name is Lorita Grahame, not Lolita.
Thanks for the correction.
I had no idea Colourbox had any US releases of any kind. Another great find. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Dean 🙂