Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Japan 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single on May 8, 1983 by Epic Records. The song was written, composed and co-produced by Jackson, and was produced by Quincy Jones.

The song’s lyrics pertain to strangers spreading rumors to start an argument for no good reason. Musically, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” evokes the disco sound of Jackson’s previous studio album, Off the Wall, released in 1979. The song is characterized by a complex rhythm arrangement and a distinctive horn arrangement. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” has been covered and sampled by multiple recording artists since its release. Aside from Thriller, the song appears on multiple compilation and greatest hits albums by Jackson.

“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” was generally well received by contemporary music critics. The song was also commercially successful, charting within the top 20 and top 30 in several countries. It became Jackson’s fifth consecutive top 10 single in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five, and later re-entered charts in 2008 after the release of Thriller 25. Following Jackson’s death in June 2009, the song re-entered music charts worldwide, mainly due to digital download sales. Unlike previous singles from Thriller, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” did not have a music video to accompany it, but was performed by Jackson on world concert tours, as both a member of The Jacksons and as a solo artist.

SIDE A:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Long Version) 6:32

SIDE B:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Instrumental Version) 6:32
Beat It 4:18

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1983	Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#5
1983	Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#5

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic ‎– 12・3P-491
Series: Michael Jackson Jumbo Single Series 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Funk, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Co-producer – Michael Jackson
Producer – Quincy Jones
Written-By – M. Jackson*

NOTES:
OBI states:
Side A: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Unpublished Long version)
Side B: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Karaoke Version)
Beat It (Special Mix)

A side: Special Version from the LP “Thriller”
B side: From the LP “Thriller”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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 Removal: Manual
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

March 31, 2017

Belouis Some – Some People (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

“Some People” is a 1985 single by British artist Belouis Some, from his 1985 debut album Some People. The song reached the Top 40 in the UK, peaking at #33 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1986. In the U.S., the song reached #67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A cover version by Murray Head was recorded and released as a single in 1986.

*The “Club Remix Edit” is exclusive to U.S. and Canada releases.

SIDE A:
Some People (Club Remix) 7:37

SIDE B:
Some People (Club Remix Edit) 4:00
Some People (Dub Version) 6:34
Edited By – Bruce Forest

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985	Some People	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#67
1985	Some People	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#8

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records ‎– V-8649
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Peter Schwier*
Producer, Remix – Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero
Written-By – Belouis Some

NOTES:
From the LP “SOME PEOPLE”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

March 30, 2017

Nina Hagan/Lene Lovich – Don’t Kill The Animals (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986

In 1986 Nina Hagen and Lene Lovich teamed up to record this protest song for animal rights. These two women deliver a song that is infectiously danceable, yet puts forth a very strong message. The song originally appeared on the compilation album Animal Liberation (1987) and later on Tame Yourself (1991) both to benefit PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

SIDE A:
Don’t Kill The Animals (Disco Version) 6:12

SIDE B:
Don’t Kill The Animals (Instrumental) 5:36
Don’t Kill The Animals (7″ Version) 4:28

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista ‎– RIST 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Sam Smith, Sid Wells
Written-By – Karl Rucker, Lene Lovich, Nina Hagen

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

March 29, 2017

Propaganda – Duel (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

“Duel” is the second single by German pop group Propaganda. The song was included on their first album, A Secret Wish.

Released in the United Kingdom in April 1985, it became their most successful single in the UK, reaching no. 21. This led to the band making their sole appearance on the flagship BBC music programme, Top of the Pops, in June of that year.

“Duel” was originally released with an alternative version of the track, “Jewel (Rough Cut)” as the B-side. This featured the same lyrics delivered in a more aggressive manner over a backing track of heavy beats and industrial sound effects.

SIDE A:
Duel (Bitter Sweet) 7:38

SIDE B:
Jewel (Cut Rough) 6:55

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ZTT ‎– 12 ZTAS 8
Series: Action Series – 8
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 07 Apr 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer [Junior] – Bobby Kraushar*
Executive-Producer [Zang Tuum Tumb’s Musical Director Is…] – Trevor Horn
Painting – Anton Corbijn
Photography By – David Levine (11), Peter Brown (23)
Producer – S.J. Lipson*
Programmed By – Michael Mertens
Sleeve [Designed By] – The London Design Partnership, Z.T.T.*
Vocals – Claudia Brücken, Susanne Freytag
Written-By – Brücken*, Mertens*, Dorper*

NOTES:
Label copy: “The Third Side ‘Face To Face’ / The Fourth Will Have You On Your Knees ‘Tooth For A Tooth'”

Sleevenotes (edited):
“Susanne compels her boyfriend to do infamous things, Ralf loves flowers and certain smells. Claudia takes an interest in shocking and disgusting things, Michael’s ambition is to compose an immortal Hymn.”

“Michael Mertens: writing, programming, identifying, demonstrating. Ralf Dorper: writing, pursuing, defining, translating. Claudia Brücken: singing, writing, corrupting, raging. Susanne Freytag: embracing, accumulating, singing, demanding. This is Propaganda: their ambition is to make some repairs. What motivates them? Error, and terror.”

“Photography by David Levine (screams) and Peter Brown (skin shots) captured at various times in different rooms in the East End of London. Painting of the Beaten Heart by Anton Corbijn, snatched from inside the body. Propaganda Management: Keith Bourton at Heavenly Management. Catalogue number 12 ZTAS 8 (making it number eight in Z.T.T.’s concerned Action Series).

Find the 12” on DISCOGS

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi