Burning The Ground Exclusive 1981
A Festive Throwback: Two Gems from the Original ZE Records Christmas Compilation.
This rare U.K. 12″ promo spotlights two standout tracks from the original 1981 release of A Christmas Record, the now-iconic holiday compilation by ZE Records. A unique blend of experimental and festive, the album became a cult classic, and these two tracks exemplify its groundbreaking style.
The first track, “It’s a Holiday” by Material featuring the soulful vocals of Nona Hendryx, was recorded during the same sessions that produced the band’s single “Bustin’ Out.” Nona, fresh off her years with Labelle and on the cusp of her 1980s solo career, became a favorite vocalist for Material’s mastermind, Bill Laswell. Her commanding presence on this track bridges the gap between funk, soul, and the avant-garde.
The second offering, “Things Fall Apart,” is a No Wave masterpiece by Cristina, an enigmatic artist known for her fusion of punk’s edge with disco’s infectious grooves. This track marked Cristina’s first collaboration with the innovative production duo Was (Not Was). Her trailblazing approach paved the way for artists like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, blending camp, self-awareness, and undeniable danceability in a way that was ahead of its time.
Both songs are presented here in their unaltered, original 1981 versions. Later reissues of A Christmas Record featured edited or altered takes, but this special promo preserves the brilliance of the original recordings in their purest form.
For fans of experimental holiday music, these tracks are must-listens—a perfect reminder of how ZE Records turned the Christmas album concept on its head, offering something truly bold and unforgettable.
SIDE A:
Material With Nona Hendryx – It’s A Holiday 7:12
Producer – Material
SIDE B:
Cristina – Things Fall Apart 4:34
Producer – The Was Bros*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Min
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ZE Records – IPR 2052, Island Records – IPR 2052
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Disco
NOTES:
Pre-Release Limited Edition
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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Anything Material is thumbs up.
First time i’m hearing these two “gems” and they are now my favourite earworm tracks.
The bassline on the title track is bad, in a good way. Nona’s voice is one of the best out there too.
Thanks Paul
You’re welcome, Mark 🙂
Wow! I had no copy my version was not the original until you just pointed out the different track lengths of those 2 amazing songs! I can’t wait to hear those versions. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
You’re welcome, Martika. Enjoy the weekend 🙂
What a find, you’re going deep in the archives with this one! While I’m not familiar with these tracks, I love Nona Hendryx and I so appreciate your attention to going outside the box. Or in this case, outside the gift wrapping, Lol. Like Jeff said, it’s nice to hear something new for a change. Have a magical weekend and I hope you get any last minute shopping done! You too Jeff, Martika, Fred and everyone else here!!
We are down to the wire Christmas is almost here. I still have a lot to do mainly cooking I like to make fudge etc. I hope you have a magical weekend too, Retro Hound. 🙂
I have this 12″ and the original version of the album (on Christmas white vinyl!) since 1981 – this and the Les Disques du Crepuscule compilation Ghosts of a Christmas past are the two best Christmas records ever released!
If I remember correctly Cristina was the wife of Mika Zhilka, the founder of ZE Records, and she withdraw from recoding as she thought she got an unfair privilege of releasing music as his wife.
Great post Paul!
You are correct, Martin, Cristina was married to Zhilka. Have a great weekend 🙂
I feel so Christmasy!! Thank you, Paul, for filling our holidays with the gift of music! I’m excited to hear this 12-inch because I love Nona Hendryx and Cristina a lot! These are unique entries into the Christmas music canon. I am a fan of Christmas music; however, I like hearing something new instead of the overplayed tunes one usually hears this time of year. This is a real treat, Paul. Ze Records was such a cool and groundbreaking label!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Paul. You made my week very special, especially with the “Sadeness” remixes!! They… Read more »
Thank you, Jeff! Wishing you and the rest of the amazing BtG crew an amazing 4th advent!
and I literally laughed out loud about your “safety word”. That’s great advice.
I love the ZE Christmas Record so much. I wish that those songs would get more attention this time of year. I hope you have a Magical weekend as Retro Hound said above. 🙂
What a terrific find! Thank you, as always.
You’re welcome, Dean 🙂