Burning The Ground Exclusive 1993
As we celebrate PRIDE Month I want to take a minute to remember the 49 people that were murdered at PULSE Nightclub eight years ago today June 12, 2016.
“Independence” is a song recorded by Scottish singer and songwriter Lulu. It was released in 1993 by Dome, Parlophone, and SBK as the first single from her eleventh album of the same name (1993), and was by many seen as the singer’s comeback, after not releasing new material since 1982. The song was written by Leon Ware and Winston Sela, and produced by Cary Baylis, Eliot Kennedy, and Mike Ward. It became a hit in both Europe and the US, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, number 34 on the Eurochart Hot 100, and number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song received remixes by Brothers In Rhythm, C.J. Mackintosh, and Tony Humphries, and a music video was also produced to promote the single.
“Independence” was a notable hit for Lulu and by many seen as her comeback in the 90s. The song reached its highest chart position as number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In Europe, the single entered the top 20 in the UK, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart on 30 January 1993, in its second week on the chart, just barely missing the top 10. Having debuted at number 14 the week before, the song then dropped to number 14 and 29 the following weeks, before leaving the UK Top 40. On both the Music Week Dance Singles chart and the Record Mirror Club Chart, “Independence” however managed to enter the top 10, peaking at number nine. In Ireland, it peaked at number 21, as well as on the European Dance Radio Chart, where it peaked in March 1993. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached its highest chart position as number 34 in February, in its second week on the chart. It debuted at number 52 on 6 February after charting in the UK.
Larry Flick from Billboard called it a “delicious pop/house anthem”, noting that “she offers an assured vocal amid rousing mixes that will slam during mainstream peak-hour sets.” He also stated that Lulu is in “excellent voice on a disco-minded house jam. The anthemic tune has a sing-along chorus that will stick in the heads of club and radio folks upon impact. Could be the first step in Lulu’s carefully planned return to pop prominence.”
SIDE A:
Independence (CJ Mackintosh Club Mix) 7:51
Engineer [Remix] – Ren Swan
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – CJ Mackintosh
Independence (Mackapella Mix) 6:06
Engineer [Remix] – Ren Swan
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – CJ Mackintosh
Independence (CJ Mackintosh Radio Mix) 3:59
Engineer [Remix] – Ren Swan
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – CJ Mackintosh
SIDE B:
Independence (Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix) 6:45
Engineer [Remix] – Paul Wright
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Brothers In Rhythm
Independence (Tony Humphries Free Dub Mix) 9:48
Remix – Tony Humphries
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Independence | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #3 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: SBK Records – Y-19777
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: Electronic
Style: House
CREDITS:
- Producer – Cary Baylis, Eliot Kennedy, Mike Ward*
- Written-By – Leon Ware, Winston Sela
NOTES:
Original version appears on the Lulu album “Independence”
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 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
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Lulu! Great addition to the Pride Month releases!
Thank you for taking the time to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Such a senseless tragedy! It looks like the City of Orlando is finally moving forward (after 8 years) with building a memorial for the victims, albeit massively scaled down from the original plans.
I hate that we even have to have these sorts of Memorials especially since we have the power to stop gun violence. The 49 people killed deserve the best memorial that there can be. Why is it taking eight years to complete?
The city bought the location and wants to use it for commercial space. The initial plans involved a museum, etc. And I think the city is expecting them to raise the funds privately. Really sad. Orlando is a “blue” oasis in a red state, but I imagine, the mentally challenged governor is giving them a hard time, as I’ve seen him say very unkind things about it (e.g. he vetoed funding for programs that would go towards mental health counseling for survivors and LGBT+ youth). Interestingly, thanks to Hunter Biden, we just learned that there is one thing in this… Read more »
Most recent update about the memorial
Pretty remarkable comeback for a lady who had her first hit 3 decades earlier! Thank you for this transfer!
You’re welcome, Martika 🙂
I remember this single and the Brothers In Rhythm mix in particular, which is still a favourite of mine. I don’t remember the dub from Tony Humphries though.
I have the UK CD single, but it will be cool to hear these vinyl transfers with your dedication to quality.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Marco. The Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix is my favorite. 🙂
Thank you Paul!! Unfortunately you’re not getting more love for this post (not yet at least). While I’m not familiar with the recording itself, I do recall Lulu making a comeback at this time. What a long, varied career she’s had! I always cheer for the longevity, and it’s nice to see her staying relevant in the 90’s. I just found out she cowrote I Don’t Wanna Fight, the Tina Turner comeback also in ’93. Quite a talent! Thanks again for keeping it outside the box.
It happens Retro Hound I can’t make people love everything I post. I had no idea she co-wrote That song. 🙂
Although I missed it during its first round of being played when it first came out, I am so grateful to you Paul for giving me the record’s introduction. From the video alone, I’m jazzed to hear the remixes on the twelve!! I also am moved by you referencing the Pulse nightclub for a reflection on this awful tragedy. We should never forget these things and what happened to all those affected by this senseless atrocity.
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. I hope you enjoy it 🙂