Red Box – Chenko (Tenka-io) (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

“Chenko” is the debut single by British group Red Box originally released in 1983 on Cherry Red Records this version failed to have any chart success. The band was later signed to Sire Records and released their debut album “The Circle & The Square” in 1986 which included a re-working of “Chenko (Tenka-io)” the song was given a more somber, stately treatment bringing chants to the fore and featuring Alexander Balanescu on violin. “Chenko (Tenka-io)” was released as the fourth single from the album and peaked at #77 on the U.K. singles chart in August 1987.

SIDE A:
Chenko (Tenka-io) (No Reservations Mix) 6:48
Mixed By – Red Box, Ross Cullum
Mixed By [With] – Mike Ging
Producer – David Motion

SIDE B:
Speeches 4:44
Producer – Phill Brown

Heart Of The Sun (Slash And Burn) 5:32
Mixed By – Phil Harding, Red Box
Producer – David Motion

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire ‎– 0-20785
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

NOTES:
From the LP “The Circle & The Square”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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

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Matt
Matt
August 27, 2018 11:51 pm

Wow! What a great ep. Can’t believe I never heard it before. Thanks for making my music archives richer 😀

Rob
Rob
August 26, 2018 11:12 am

There are five versions of Chenko:

1983 Cherry Red 7″: Chenko 3:29
1983 Cherry Red 12″: Chenko (Pow-Wow Press) 6:20
1986 album version: Chenko (Tenka-Io) 4:27
1987 7″ remix: Chenko (Tenka-Io) (remix) approx 4:21
1987 12″ remix Chenko (Tenka-io) (No Reservations Mix) 6:48

Rob
Rob
August 26, 2018 10:50 am

Thanks!
This was one of my requests so donation coming your way!

LowOiL
August 9, 2018 10:49 pm

I had a few releases by this group, including their SKA (think that is what they called themselves) album (after Red Box), always liked them (unique). Their Saskatchewan single puddles my butter, the extended not so much. Thanks Ian with the b-side suggestion.

Ian Buckley
Ian Buckley
Reply to  LowOiL
August 10, 2018 3:43 am

SPA not SKA Low. Short for Simon Phill Alastair. Not sure how you puddle butter…is that a good thing or a bad thing? lol

DJ U4ic
DJ U4ic
August 8, 2018 4:26 pm

Not sure how I missed this one and not sure why it didn’t do well on the charts. I think it’s great. Thanks.

Tony Krosschell
Tony Krosschell
August 8, 2018 5:49 am

Excited to see this post. For fans who may not be aware, Red Box is in the midst of finalizing their fourth album which should be released any day now. They have also re-recorded their hit “For America”, which has been posted to youtube with an awesome new video collage that emphasizes the political strife of today and reveals how relevant the song’s lyrics are more than 30 years beyond its original release.

Ian Buckley
Ian Buckley
Reply to  Tony Krosschell
August 9, 2018 3:19 am

Fifth if you count the SPA album.

Ian Buckley
Ian Buckley
August 8, 2018 3:17 am

The best mix of Chenko is on the original Cherry Red 12″ and is called the ‘Pow Wow Press’. If you don’t it Paul seek it out. Great b-side as well called Valley.

Gilbert Gonzales
Gilbert Gonzales
August 7, 2018 3:59 pm

Wow, thanks Paul for this one. Saw it was mixed by Phil Harding and got excited since i am a fan of PWL/SAW music. Be well!

Daniel
Daniel
August 7, 2018 1:37 pm

Thanks Paul. Chenko is not my favourite single by Red Box but I like this remix.

Jay
Jay
August 7, 2018 12:59 pm

I haven’t heard this for many years.
I was very fond of this little gem 🙂
Many thanks for this Paul

Jeff
Jeff
August 7, 2018 12:47 pm

Like Fred above, Sire Records always gives me so many happy memories. And I love this group so much. Thank you Paul for giving me another taste of the band’s discography! You are unstoppable with your phenomenal selections.

Many, many thanks!

Jeff

OMAR
OMAR
August 7, 2018 12:42 pm

Thanks Paul a million!

pjanus
pjanus
August 7, 2018 12:39 pm

Thanks my Vinyl Master 🙂

Fred
Fred
August 7, 2018 12:20 pm

I have never heard of this song but as soon as I see the Sire font “Specially-Priced Maxi-Single” it takes me back to all the old 80’s Sire 12s!

1)Most if not all Sire 12″s I have are 45RPM…so better quality!

2)My fondest memories of Sire were the dozens of Madonna releases.

Thanks, Paul!

-Fred

Jay
Jay
Reply to  Fred
August 7, 2018 1:01 pm

Hey Fred.
Nice info about most of Sire’s 12″s being 45 rpm !!
I love details like that 🙂