BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
Max Headroom is a fictional British artificial intelligence (AI), known for his wit and stuttering, distorted, electronically sampled voice. It was introduced in early 1984. The character was created by George Stone, Annabel Jankel, and Rocky Morton in the mid-1980s, and portrayed by Matt Frewer as “The World’s first computer-generated TV host” although the computer-generated appearance was achieved with prosthetic make up, as the computer technology of the time was not sufficiently advanced to achieve the desired effect. Preparing the look for filming involved a four-and-a-half hour session in make-up, which Matt Frewer described as “a very painful, torturous and disgusting enterprise”.
In 1986 Max was also featured on a single titled “Merry Christmas Santa Claus (You’re a Lovely Guy)” released by Chrysalis Records. The music video featured Max inside a TV screen playing piano surrounded by a choir.
SIDE A:
Merry Christmas Santa Claus (You’re A Lovely Guy) 4:00
SIDE B:
Gimme Shades 2:35
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – VS4 44000
Format: Vinyl, 7″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Novelty
Credits: Photography – Tim Roney
Producer – Keith Strachan
Written By – P. Owen/D. Hansen
Written-By – David Hansen, Paul Owen (4)
Find The 7″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
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 Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
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
Really wish this was still available
Thank you Paul!
This was fun 😀
“Max Headroom lasted just 14 episodes, from March, 1987 to May, 1988.”
Max Headroom but Min Lifespan!
😛
Yeah he didn’t last long but he did become a sort of 80’s icon.
Yeah, Paranoimia was a sizeable hit for Art Of Noise & Max. And this is a real surprise post, Paul. But then, I always like your surprises! Thank you!
You’re welcome Ric. I like surprises 🙂
Paul, I’m a huge Max fan!!! Saw the Art of Noise live in NYC back in the mid-eighties and he introduced the band and performed “Paranoimia” with them. Very surreal. I did like his television show as well along with the interviews he did. This, however, was new to me. Again, you always are full of massive surprises. Thanks Paul for bringing the 80’s back in cool, surprising ways. You are our audio archivist and I am so grateful for all of your efforts.
Almost speechless,
Jeff
P.S. Thanks for the recent posts as well. Great treats.
You’re welcome Jeff I never saw the television show I bet it was really fun. I will have to do some looking on youtube. Love Art Of Noise bet that was a great show. Cheers mate 🙂
Max interviews Arcadia at some point – deffo get searching YouTube for it!
Oh, man — I actually have this 45 in my collection, and when I throw it into the playlist during holiday parties, the “WTF?” reactions are priceless. 🙂
Oh I can just imagine Doctor I bet it is priceless 🙂
Hahaa, very timely with the release of the new Eminem video.
Have you seen it? Sure he’s not everyone’s taste, but this video is well done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbGs_qK2PQA
I doubt most of his audience will even be old enough to know what it is though. 😀
I didn’t even know about this. Yeah doubt any kids today know about Max. Don’t care for the song but video is cool.
Yeah, maybe most of your visitors will want to watch that on mute. 😀 Personally, it’s my 2nd most listened to album of the year.
BTW, did you catch my late comment on the Fame 12″??
Yeah just saw it today unfortunately don’t have that 12″ right now.
Oh my goodness. I totally forgot about Max. Thanks Paul for this great single.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂