Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984
“I Want it to Be Real” is a 1984, solo, dance single by English Electro Pioneer John Rocca, lead vocalist and founder of the London, dance group, Freeez. In the United States the single peaked at #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart, and #55 on the R&B Chart.
SIDE A:
I Want It To Be Real 7:52
Engineer [Mix Engineer] – Chris Lord-Alge
Mixed By – Arthur Baker
Written-By – Stennett, Rocca
SIDE B:
I Want It To Be Real (Instrumental) 5:07
Mixed By – Arthur Baker
Written-By – Stennett, Rocca
English Man In New York 7:25
Mixed By –John Rocca
Written-By – Rocca*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | I Want It To Be Real | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1984 | I Want It To Be Real | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #55 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Streetwise – SWRL 2225, Streetwise – SWRL-2225
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo, Picture Cover
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro
CREDITS:
Featuring – John Rocca
Lacquer Cut By –HERbiE JR*
Producer –John Rocca
Sleeve – Danny Rocca
NOTES:
A, B1. Mixed at Unique Studios, New York
B2. Mixed at Rooster Studios, London
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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 3.0 (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
Password: burningtheground
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Great track from the golden Baker/Robie era at Unique/Shakedown studios in NYC during early 80s. Latin Rascals killed it with this track in their classic multi-edit Big Apple Production II Mix in 1984 that was released as a bootleg under a pseudonym. Awesome synth work, killer bassline, 808 drums and Emulator that bears the Robie hallmark although he is not officially credited. Thanks for sharing.
Another great release is John Rocca’s Once Upon A Time (SWRL 2236) that has amazing edits by Latin Rascals. Hint, hint …
This record is quite wild. The Latin Rascals’ edits sound like a sonic artillery.
Jeff
Hey Ratin Lascal,
BTW, great name!! So excited to see your passion for this record too. Awesome of you to reference the Big Apple II (Genius At Work) mix because it is a cut and paste edit extravaganza masterpiece! What they did to “I Want It To Be Real” is insane multi-editing. That whole mix is dynamite from start to finish! I love my Arthur Baker/John Robie/Latin Rascal records. That John Robie surely plays his keyboards like nobody else!!
Jeff
Wow thanks Paul for another great post, Estoy super agradecido por estos ultimos posteos de esta gran epoca del breakdance, con esta musica creci. Listening this music I grew up.
You’re welcome 🙂
Great choice, Paul. I bought this 12in back in ’84. Sadly, IWITBR flopped at radio & club (in Europe) – partly because it sounded dated, two years after “I.O.U.”. I’m still a fan, though 🙂 Btw, 24bit mega link is dead already!
Hi, DiscoD try downloading directly from the link on the site because the 24bit link is still available. 🙂
Goodness, I must admit I had forgotten about this. Wasn´t there a scratch mix as well? Love that track and production. It´s just so… freeezy but it keeps me warm. Thank you for this, Paul. But now we have to have the original club vocal mix of “I.O.U.” as well. It clocks in at 8:00, so not the “megamix” which was released later. I do not have that 12inch but the names Arthur Baker and Latin Rascals keep lurking in my memory. Have a great weekend, Paul and Jeff and everyone here at BTG. All the best from across the… Read more »
You’re welcome, have a nice weekend 🙂
WOW, to have a high-quality version of this fantastic 12″ single is AMAZING! Thank you, Paul!!
You’re welcome, Cory 🙂
Very Nice track … always like it ….Tank you for this one
You’re welcome, Ahmed 🙂
You spent Paul, tremendous song, I danced it all weekend, how can I not remember how we danced with the boys of that glorious generation of the eighties. Here in Chile it was a success. Thanks.
You’re welcome, Transito 🙂
I am running out of underwear because of all the excitement of your posts this week Paul! This is another favorite of mine and this week has been divinely special to me because I just love Electro music so much. I am so overwhelmed because I haven’t been able to find this on compact disc. I have it on a mixed compilation, but not the entire version so your rip is a godsend! I adored “I.O.U.” by Freeez with Arthur Baker’s and John Robie’s production on it, so when John Rocca went solo, this was a great pleasure to that… Read more »
You’re so welcome, Jeff I had a blast working on these electro jams inspired by the breakdance craze. Have a popping & Locking weekend 🙂
perfect selection this week! Thanks, Paul!
You’re welcome, CAPankow 🙂