BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)” was originally released in 1985. The song was written during the Pet Shop Boys’ formative years, in 1983. According to Neil Tennant, the main lyrical concept came while in a recording studio in Camden Town when Chris Lowe asked him to make up a lyric based around the line “Let’s make lots of money”.
The first version of the song, recorded with the duo’s first producer, Bobby Orlando, was not released; upon signing with record label Parlophone, they re-recorded the song with J. J. Jeczalik (of Art of Noise) and Nicholas Froome. Parlophone released the original “Dance Mix” along with a second 12″ which included “Version Latina” and “Dub For Money” featuring additional remixes by The Latin Rascals. Many of the 12″ single releases were mispressed with incorrect mixes on the records along with incorrect mix titles on the sleeves and labels.
The 1985 version peaked at #116 in the UK, and #63 in Australia not charting in the USA.
The sleeve on this 12″ incorrectly lists “Dance Mix” on the A-side which is actually “Version Latina”, “In The Night” is not included on this release the b-side actually plays “Dub For Mobey”. The original “Dance Mix” is included on the Canada 12″ which I previously posted.
SIDE A:
Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) (Versión Latina) 5:28
Producer – J.J. Jeczalik, Nicholas Froome, Ron Dean Miller
Remix, Edited By – The Latin Rascals
SIDE B:
Opportunities (Dub For Money) 4:49
Producer – J.J. Jeczalik, Nicholas Froome, Ron Dean Miller
Remix, Edited By – The Latin Rascals
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12 R 6097
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Mispress, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Composed By – Tennant/Lowe*
Photography By – Eric Watson (3)
Sleeve – XL Design
NOTES:
Remix titles not listed on the labels.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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
Password: burningtheground
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Thank you, Paul.
Hi Paul, I’m a huge fan of the early pet shop boys. So releases like this is what makes it interesting. I loved the song, and its still my favorite version. So I think I had to buy this version 2 or more times, to get the actual one, with ‘in the night’ on it. But I still liked all the different versions, and edits. Sure, some are not for everyone, and the editing is a sign of the time and equipment. I agree the later mixes are more polished. But like West End Girls, they had to release it… Read more »
Would love to do a project like that. I am actually friends with Vinny on Facebook he follows the site 🙂
I am currently helping him with a project involving Abracadabra by ABC. Hopefully he will get clearances for other artists. It is very hard when the band doesn’t want to be involved, and the studios dont really act very helpful. He will also be doing several Wang Chung remaster projects that were delayed from last year, so keep an eye out for those also.
later
-1
He is also working on Olivia Newton-John’s catalog video and audio which he just announced that a couple of weeks ago.
-1 would you mind sending me an email I would like to ask you some questions if you don’t mind.
Hi Paul, I sent you my email through the ‘contact me’ link.
later
-1
On this substandard remix, Ron Dean Miller and Latin Rascals re-used many of the same samples in their Fairlight, eg Art Of Noise Beatbox bass and snare drum sounds, from the excellent Nuance Loveride release a year before. The Pet Shop Boys track lacks the level of energy, great dynamics and exquisite funky edits conpared to the Nuance production. The result was instead a lack lustre remix that on top of it all was incorrectly labeled and poorly promoted in the record pools back in the day. Regrettably a real shame since the Latin Rascals were on top of their… Read more »
Love Shep Pettibone, but this is the best remix of this song. Period. Ron Dean Miller & the Latin Rascals created (or remixed) a masterpiece.
I’m new but just wanted to say thank you for the great work you do! I’m hoping you tackle West End Girls 12RA 6115 (UK) Shep Mastermix & West End Dub.
I am sure I will get to that one at some point 🙂
Have I mentioned my love for the PSB? Many, many thanks Sir!
You’re welcome, Charles 🙂
Interesting… Does your 12″ have an oversized center label on the record? I have the 12″ for this with the Dance mix on A and In the Night on B and this art. But there was also a remix 12″ from 1985 which I also have that came in a black sleeve with a black spot finish that read Opportunities, the center is cut out to reveal the oversized center labels which are the same pictures used for the 12″ here. If your Version Latina 12″ has a small label, it really is an anomaly. Thank you again for the… Read more »
Yes, I saw the Allstate commercial it has pushed the song into the #1 position on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart. Mine does not have the oversized labels it is what is pictured. There were several incorrect pressings of this 12″.
Hey Paul – just seen the song flying high, couldn’t understand why. What’s the commercial? Joey’s post gets cut off (is there a character limit?) but he seems to mention it judging by your reply? Thanks!
Ah, just realised Allstate is the brand – have just found the commercial online. 🙂
Hi Paul! Interesting! So you actually have another misprint then? The link to Discogs is for the Dance Mix on the A-side and the Dub mix on the B-side. Yours is the Latina version (https://www.discogs.com/release/562394) but that one has “In the Night” on the B-side. Just wanted to check! Nubben
Correct, and they all have the same catalog number what a fiasco this release is. It is super confusing.
Thanks Paul, so this should probably have its own Discogs release ID then? I can add on Discogs if you wish.
You can if you like 🙂
Right, added to Discogs Paul! https://www.discogs.com/release/17572093
You can now link the Discogs link in the blog post to that entry. I added your images. Hope that was ok.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Paul, unfortunately the Discogs community rejected my adding the new pressing and it was merged. Unless you would like to add it yourself and add pictures we would have to live with the incorrect Discogs listing… No biggie of course but just wanted to let you know.
You can hear the orig Bobby “O” version here. https://youtu.be/dq_klY8c0s4
Thanks for the link. I can understand why this was not released it is kind of a mess.
Wow excelente gracias Pault.
De Nada Carlos 🙂
Wow! Thanks, Paul! I never heard or had this 12″ because I couldn’t find Import 12″s back in 1985. I love the song and really like these mixes (but like the 12″ you posted yesterday best). Being 1985, you can really hear how the mixes and edits were created by putting a pair of headphones on…you will hear the stereo imaging change quite a bit, especially on the Dub mix. These limitations make you appreciate far more how the remixers worked back in the day with the limited equipment (at least compared to remixing beginning in the mid 90s). Thanks… Read more »
I prefer yesterday’s mixes too I like edits and I know they put a lot of work into them but the Shep Pettibone mixes are better. 🙂
Cue my ORGASM!!! Paul, thanks ever so much for this Latin Rascal’s remix. These boys are one of my favorite editing teams around. They introduced me to machine-gun editing and wild studio trickery in the first place and I am trying to collect their complete discography. I’ve never heard this mix so it’s a real gift.
Jeff
P.S. Happy Birthday Song And Dance
You’re welcome, Jeff 🙂