Burning The Ground Exclusive
Following the spiritual ecstasy of Alphabet St., Prince dove deeper into the sacred-meets-sensual waters with his second single from the Lovesexy album: the lush, layered, and provocatively titled “Glam Slam.” Released in 1988, the track continues Prince’s mission of merging flesh and faith—blending erotic overtones with a spiritual undercurrent in a way only he could pull off.
Musically, “Glam Slam” is a complex piece, sharing its DNA with Parade-era grooves like “Life Can Be So Nice.” Percussive, moody, and sprinkled with orchestral flourishes (courtesy of synth strings), the original album version ends on an almost cinematic note. But on the 12″ remix, Prince hands the controls over to Shep Pettibone and Steve Peck—who transform the track into a full-fledged dance floor jam. Their remix amps up the beats, adds new instrumental layers, and injects just enough sampling magic to give it that late-’80s Shep polish, all without losing the song’s original mystique.
The B-side, “Escape (Free Yo Mind From This Rat Race),” deserves its own spotlight. Though it shares a chorus sample from “Glam Slam,” this is no simple remix. Prince strips the original down and rebuilds it as a funk-laced, anti-violence anthem with an infectious bassline and socially conscious lyrics. “Escape” moves away from the divine sensuality of Lovesexy and lands squarely on the dancefloor—preaching liberation from drugs, gangs, and the toxic cycles of urban life.
True fans will notice that the opening lines of “Escape” are recycled from the unreleased Camille cut “Rebirth of the Flesh.” Those same lines even opened shows on the Lovesexy World Tour, segueing directly into “Erotic City”—a moment of pure Prince genius.
While “Glam Slam” may not have scaled the charts like some of his earlier hits, its layered production, spiritual themes, and remix treatment make it one of the more underrated gems in the Purple One’s vast catalog. And “Escape”? Just another reminder that even Prince’s B-sides were better than most artists’ A-game.
Burning the Ground Recommends:
Don’t sleep on the 12″ remix. It’s a Shep Pettibone masterclass. And “Escape” deserves heavy rotation—especially if you’re into the funkier, rawer side of Paisley Park.
SIDE A:
Glam Slam (Remix) 8:52
Edited By – The Latin Rascals
Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
Remix – Shep Pettibone, Steve Peck
SIDE B:
Escape (Free Yo Mind From This Rat Race) 6:27
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Paisley Park – 0-21005
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Minneapolis Sound
CREDITS:
- Written By – Prince
NOTES:
Original version from the Paisley Park Album LOVESEXY
Side A : Additional production for Mastermix Productions.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
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 25 (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
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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For Prince / Pettibine fans the SDE of SOTT has a previously unreleased remix of Strange Relationship! That was such a cool inclusion on that amazing box set! ( of course, if you’re a fan you already know ).
Thank you so much, Paul! I’ve been looking for this one, and I’m glad to finally have it in pristine DjPaulT Quality! I wish Prince had realized the potential that could have been created by asking Pettibone to remix more of his classics. Lovesexy is the most underrated album in Prince’s discography, and Anna Stesia is one of his most underrated songs (along with Sometimes It Snows In April and The Cross).
You’re so welcome, Martika 🙂
Anna Stesia is one of his most amazing tracks ever! Centerpieces of the Lovesexy tour too!
I’m glad someone agrees with me 🙂 I’ve been trying to convince Prince fans for decades that this song is magnificent!!!
Yeah it’s amazing. One of the most amazing tracks by anyone ever in my opinion. It’s the guts of the album!
Thank you so much for this! Anything Prince is always welcome. But Pettibone sounds on auto-pilot at this time in his career with his creative spark fading quite a bit. This mix is almost SAW-esque with the percussive arrangement. Sounds like he was cashing another easy remix pay check from one of the majors. Your curation work is excellent though. Another BTG classic for the collection.
Wow great, great post Paul!! Happy Monday everyone! That infectous beat! Mesmerizing video! There was and will ever only be one Prince. We were so lucky to have him and his talent. Like Duran Duran, I would say Prince wasn’t in my radar after his “glory” period. Sure I heard the post-Purple Rain hits on the radio and I was aware of the SOTT movie/soundtrack, but melodic rock/pop metal was ruling my world. (Although it has to be said, walking through the malls the naked Prince album cover for Lovesexy did grab my attention). Now it’s like I’m rediscovering this… Read more »
Btw there’s nothing like the showmanship of seeing Sheila E. standing while drumming. Like Pat Benatar’s drummer, Myron Grombacher… Another reason music was at it’s peak!
Sheila E. is a goddess on the drums! I watched the Sign “O” The Times Concert in the movie theater back then and her drum solo is the definite highlight. I also saw her live a couple of years ago and she still has it! Her uncle, Tito Puente, would be proud of her!
You’re so right Martika!
Yes, Sheila was my first love! Seeing her with Prince was an out of body experience 😍😆
You’re welcome, Retro Hound. I was never a huge fan of Prince; I was more into New Wave music, but I did enjoy his songs up to “Raspberry Beret,” which is my personal favorite.
Same here, such a great summer song!
I ’bout jumped out of my chair when I saw this pop up! I’m a Prince fanatic and love it whenever you dip into that prodigious catalog. I have so much of his music but do NOT have this remix – until now! Thank you, thank you!
Also, a great write-up above!
You’re welcome, Grant, glad I could fill that gap 🙂
Always loved Prince’s music, especially when I was a teenager in the 80s.
I remember buying Lovesexy when it came out in 1988. Loving these posts of Shep Pettibone mixes, he really did a fantastic job of remixes. Thank You Paul.
You’re welcome, Paul 🙂
This is such a great 12″ – but potentially risky for you… I’ve seen other places rather quickly hunted down when posting his stuff for download. I hope you’ll be safe!
He did some remarkable remixes, like I Wish You Heaven – parts 1, 2 and 3, the 10+ minutes of I Would Die For You, and not to mention the 20+ minutes of America. A true genius!
If they ask me to remove it, I will. That has always been my policy.
Well written description and background of Escape, applause! If I may add that Prince had made a contrast between a dark period, environment, place, in his life from the previous work of Sign “O” The Times and The Black Album. Both of which stemmed from cancelled projects Crystal Ball and Camille, and re-invented or REBIRTH-ED, The Black Album (aka The Funk Bible), into a spiritual, self empowering musical and spiritual transcendence. So Glam Slam Escape is Rebirth Of The Flesh, re-imagined, placed in the light… so to speak. Most songs on Prince’s Lovesexy, are based on songs from The Black… Read more »
Thank you for this very enlightening comment, Modernaire, most of which I did not know about.
I had no idea Shep remixed Prince, so this is a nice surprise indeed!
Thanks Paul for the continued Shep themed posts.
You’re welcome, Mark 🙂
Shep also remixed Prince’s Strange Relationship, which you can find on the Sign of the Times Deluxe edition. (it was unreleased until this version of the album came out). And he did a remix of Trust from the Batman album, but that still remains unreleased.
Thanks for this. Lately, I’ve been in a Prince mood. You can’t go wrong with Prince.
You’re welcome, jimmie d. 🙂
What an orgasmic way to start the week, Paul! I mean, it’s, Prince, after al!! And it’s a Shep Pettibone remix besides!! This is a definite double “money shot” for me!! I am thoroughly grateful for this record since I was not fortunate in picking it up when it first came out. I’m upset with myself because I never missed an opportunity to find something the Latin Rascals edited! Gee, Paul, once again I’m gobsmacked!! This is very stimulating for me. I’m jazzed for the B-side too. This is a real gift for me, Paul!! You’re too much!!!
Jeff
It is such a fun, overlooked record. I can’t believe that it did nothing chart-wise in the U.S. Shep really did some magic on this one, along with the Rascals and Steve Peck.
PAUL! THX 4 THIS! I did my own rip a couple decades ago using a very rudimentary method of turntable to minidisc to computer method that “did the trick” but needed to be redone! This is one of my favorite 12” singles and I’ve always found it criminal to be out of print in any format! It wasn’t included on the 2nd disc of Ultimate Prince (neither was Mountains!), the b-side was tragically the 7” edit on The Hits / The B-Sides, & not on the Pettibone Dance Masters set…this is truly a Manic (in a good way) Monday for… Read more »
You’re very welcome, ING. I bet that concert was out of this world!
It was! My sister had holdover tickets from a SOTT concert that was cancelled so she had great seats. We were in the rafters but it was still amazing! My 1st of 6 Prince shows! THE. BEST. EVER.
Lovesexy LA Sports Arena was my first Prince concert also! I still, STILL remember almost every bit of it if I close my eyes, I’m there! Seriously! It was incredible and I’ve see BIG name bands and concerts since then, and NEVER NOTHING, compares 2 Prince Livesexy!
Paul, thanks! So timely, for any serious Prince fans, this came in my email today (I am not associated with this in any way)
https://soundaroundtours.com/celebration-twin-cities/
That is very cool, Raymond 🙂