BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981
“I Don’t Know What It Is” was the second single taken from former Buzzcocks lead singer Pete Shelley’s third solo album “Homosapien”. Released in 1981 on Genetic Records “I Don’t Know What It Is” failed to chart in the UK but did reach the #22 position on the US Billboard dance chart.
SIDE A:
I Don’t Know What It Is (Remixed Version) 3:37
SIDE B:
Witness The Change / I Don’t Know What It Is (Instrumental Version) 8:18
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | I Don’t Know What It Is | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play | #22 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Genetic Records (2) – 12 WIP 6740
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Synth-pop, New Wave
CREDITS:
Producer – M. Rushent*, P. Shelley*
Written-By – P. Shelley*
NOTES:
Recorded at Genetic Sound
From the LP: “HOMOSAPIEN”
Find The 12″ 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
One of the best things Pete Shelley ever did in my opinion (though equal kudos has to go to Martin Rushent of course) – The b-side still sounds like the future in my opinion and blows out of the water 99% of ‘dance’ music produced today – I sold my vinyl version of this years ago so it’s great to finally have such a good quality rip.
Many thanks as always for all your efforts.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful…..
Another masterpiece produced by Martin Rushent. The B-Side is his typical dubbing it up style. Thank you providing it in your usual superb quality.
Wonderfull B side. Couldn’t help myself and put it on repeat with a big smile on my face.
Thought I had all output by Mr. Shelley/Buzzcocks. Glad you proved me wrong. Thanks!
Wow. Thanks so much! I was not even aware of this version of “I Don’t Know What It Is.”
You made my day with this post! I was listening to a poor quality mp3 of this last week. So happy to have this amazing sounding rip. Thanks!!!!
My pleasure Kookoo. Enjoy!
Thanks Paul for another Pete Shelley post. I was a fan of your last Shelley post 🙂
You’re welcome Junior I am sure you’ll love this one too 🙂
What a fantastic 12-inch this is!! The old 92KTU in New York used to play this all the time along with the instrumental of “Don’t You Want Me” by Human League. I never knew there were vocal versions to these tracks until much later. Paul, you pull out the stops when you go through your phenomenal collection of dance music. Thank you so much for such a wonderful rip of this twelve. As always, you rock!!
Jeff
aah those were the days when you heard these great tracks on the radio. This is actually one of my favorite singles 🙂
I still love Pete Shelley’s solo work, even 30 years later.
I think Arista released b-side “Witness the Change” as a single in the US rather than “I Don’t Know What It Is” (I suspect “I Don’t Know What It Is” charted based on import sales, which is a compliment to its popularity in the clubs.) I don’t know if anyone’s ever done a mix of “Witness the Change” and Peter Godwin’s “Emotional Disguise” but I always thought they’d work well together with their quirky electronic drum patterns.
Yes “Witness The Change” was released as a 12″ in the US it has the “Witness The Change/I Don’t Know What It Is (Instrumental Version)” 8:16 as the A side and “Witness The Change” 4:47 as the B side.
Great post! Thanks again Paul!
You’re welcome buddy 🙂
Thanks Paul For The excellent posts.
You’re welcome Omar thank you for commenting 🙂