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
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
Hello.Nice 12″from Propaganda.Do you have 12″ fom John Jellybean Bennitez-Mexycan?
I can not recall hearing this Jewel Cut Rough before.
Unfortunately, because I can remember some of the wild parties..
where this version would have been anthem-like.
Joining the crewcut fistwaving tight jeansers with the blackdressed tree-mimers,
world-savers and pop-singalongers in one semi-angry happy looking mash.
Ahwell, we had the other one, and it was massive in its own way.
🙂
Thank you! More ZTT please!
I have literally been blasting out this track over the weekend (particularly the ‘Jewel’ version… love all that hard percussion!) Always loved ZZT’s record sleeves and their ‘series’ cataloging system – the small print was almost as entertaining as the music!!
Most mornings about now I dial in to see what Paul has uploaded…and some mornings I log in and go ‘oh yes!’ out loud. Today is one of those mornings 🙂
Their success has basically been built around 3 strong singles: Dr. Mabuse, Duel (Eye to Eye) and p:Machinery. The heydays of ZTT, Trevor Horn, and the 12 inch format. Great memories.
Thx Paul I remember the time really well it was a hit in Holland, around autumn 1985. Being lucky I was a highschool kid back then, I was 15 and I reacall the feeling of those days in the music that was popular back then; earlier in spring we had Duran Duran wit a View To A Kill, Paul Hardcastle with 19 and in autumn Madonna was at her peak with Get Into The Groove too, as well as this rather alternative but memorable 80s track. But of course there were so many good tracks that year (the Spinners’ ?… Read more »
I loved Propaganda at the time and their music just sounds smarter & sharper with time!
Holy smokes, does this ever bring back memories. Thank you! I’m loving all these singles. Many of the Bowie singles are new to me, so thanks again. What a treat.
Thanks for posting Paul, Propaganda are more well known now than they were in the day. A Secret Wish and Wishful Thinking are highly recommended.
Hope you can do a P:Machinery rip 🙂
See what I can do Ferry 🙂
Best version of this track (in my humble opinion, of course) is on Wishful Thinking. Jewelled is a great version that bridges the gap between these two very nicely, unlike Bejewelled, which veers from one to the other in a jarring assault on the earholes. Just hope I’ve got those two the right way round because I’m going off my memory rather than do the sensible thing and go check!
Used to hear Jewelled a lot on TV, as it was used for the world rallying highlights show on ITV in the UK.
Thanks Paul! I had posted this several years back, but had a complaint regarding it, so I had to remove it. Since then, I’ve been leery about adding any more from them. I hope you are more successful at keeping it on your page. best, RA.
You’re welcome RA 🙂
The copyright-machine works in mysterious ways. On y.t. I have posted, and one song of la Jones is banned in Germany, but available to the rest of the world. Another by Tom Waits was banned in America, but available for the rest of the world.
Enjoy it while you can.
The machine is closing the gates as we speak.
Nice. Will you do some “p:Machinery”? Lovely track 🙂
I will see what I can do Chris 🙂
I have this 12″ release too but these digital rips are most welcome.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
thanks!! for this 12′ and Limahl’s post, and waiting for Kajagoogoo – Hang on now , ok, thanks bye bye..
You’re welcome 🙂
Thank you!
Propaganda were always my favourite ZTT band.
You’re welcome David 🙂
Thanks Paul. I thought Propaganda’s Secret Wish album was one of the best albums of the 80’s.
I agree one of the best Omar 🙂
This is such a treat Paul!! Propaganda, to me, always seemed like this epic, cinematic collective. This was dance music that was quite the opus and quite the thrill-ride. I am so pleased you have added this to your discography of beautiful rendered 12-inches. I can’t wait to be under this record’s spell later on. Fabulous choice, Paul!!!
Many thanks,
Jeff
You’re welcome Jeff. Enjoy my friend 🙂