Season’s Greetings! The most wonderful time of the year is here, and I couldn’t let the season pass without sending warm wishes to all of you who make this community so special.
Christmas and Hanukkah are about family, friends, and cherished traditions, and for us, it’s also about celebrating the music that brings us together. From festive classics to remixes that get everyone dancing, this season is the perfect time to spin your favorite records and let the holiday spirit take over.
Whether you’re gathered around the tree, lighting the menorah, enjoying a cozy night by the fire, or hosting a holiday party, let the music set the perfect mood. And don’t forget to sprinkle in some of your favorite 12” mixes to keep things fresh and exciting.
Thank you for being part of the Burning the Ground family this year. Here’s to a joyous Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a wonderful New Year filled with love, laughter, and great tunes.
I’ll be taking a short break for the holidays but will return after the first of the year with a new post. Until then, enjoy the season and keep the music alive.
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 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
Released in September 1988, “Desire” was the lead single from U2’s album Rattle and Hum. With its pulsating rhythm inspired by the Bo Diddley beat and Bono’s impassioned lyrics, the song channeled the raw energy of rock and roll while addressing themes of ambition and social critique.
Produced by Jimmy Iovine, “Desire” is notable for its stripped-down, garage rock sound. The track captures the spirit of 50s and 60s rock influences while addressing themes of ambition, lust, and spirituality—hallmarks of U2’s storytelling.
Chart Performance:
“Desire” achieved significant commercial success. It became U2’s first #1 single, topping the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured the top spot on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, highlighting its cross-genre popularity and resonance with fans worldwide. It also reached #1 in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.
The track earned U2 their first Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1989, solidifying its place as one of the band’s most celebrated songs.
Legacy:
Over the years, “Desire” has remained a staple in U2’s live performances, often igniting concert audiences with its infectious rhythm and high-energy delivery. Its enduring appeal lies in how it blends the vintage rock sound with U2’s socially conscious and energetic style.
For 80s and 90s music fans, “Desire” represents an era when rock music was a driving force for entertainment and social commentary. It’s a testament to U2’s ability to evolve while staying true to their roots.
SIDE A: Desire (Hollywood Remix) 5:23
Backing Vocals – Alexandra Brown*, Edna Wright
Engineer [Assistant] – Andy Batwinas
Engineer [Remix] – Taavi Mote
Producer [Additional], Programmed By [Additional] – Jeff Lorber
Remix [Remix Production By] – Louil Silas Jr., Taavi Mote
Hallelujah (Here She Comes) 4:17
Mixed By, Engineer – David Tickle, Marc DeSisto
Other [Special Thanks To], Vocals [Additional], Organ [Hammond] – Billy Preston
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
Year
Single
Chart
Position
1988
Desire
U.S. Billboard Hot 100
#3
1988
Desire
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
#1
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Island Records – 0-96600
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: Sep 1988
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
CREDITS:
Artwork By [Design Based On An Idea By] – Steve Averll Works, Associates
NEW 2024 Transfer NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: March 9, 2012
“Perfect Way” was only a modest hit in the UK, peaking at #48, but it became Scritti Politti’s biggest success in the U.S. The song entered the Billboard Top 40 on October 26, 1985, and spent 13 weeks on the chart, reaching its peak at #11.
Notably, the “Perfect Way” version featured on the ‘A’ side of this single is unique and otherwise unavailable elsewhere. It differs from the Kevorkian mix found on the standard UK and German 12″ singles. It is longer than the U.S. 12″ single version mixed by Alan Meyerson, François Kevorkian, and Josh Abbey (credited as Committee). While the label lists an incorrect runtime, the actual duration is 7:24.
