BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“Martin”/”Hendrix Medley” was a 12 single” by British dup Soft Cell released in January 1983 included with initial copies of the band’s second album “The Art Of Falling Apart”.
“Martin”, inspired by George A. Romero’s 1978 cult gem about a teenage vampire on the loose in a Pittsburgh suburb. Producer Mike Thorne called the song “a monstrously over-the-top extravaganza”.
The flipside sees Marc and Dave do the unthinkable: tackle a medley of Jimi Hendrix covers. Which they do quite well making it their own. The medley includes “Hey Joe”, “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Chile”.
SIDE A:
Martin 10:14
Written-By – Ball*, Almond*
SIDE B:
Hendrix Medley 10:23
Hey Joe
Written-By – William Roberts*
Purple Haze
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
Voodoo Chile
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 1-23769,Some Bizzare – 23769-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, EP
All Media, Limited Edition, Capitol Winchester Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Mike Thorne, Soft Cell
NOTES:
Bonus EP – “Limited Edition” with intial copies of “The Art Of Falling Apart”
Recorded at the Camden Cell Aug/Sept ’82.
Made in U.S.A.
Find the 12″ on 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: Sovtek 12AX7LPS Vacuum Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
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
This looks fascinating – thank you for this, DJPaulT!!
You’re welcome Grant 🙂
I am down on my hands and knees bowing at you Paul through the computer!!! This is absolutely one of my favorite songs of all time!! I love Soft Cell and Marc Almond so very, very much and to have this on your site, from you, gorgeously ripped and re-mastered, I just can’t get over it!! I certainly agree that “Martin” is a “Monstrously over-the-top extravaganza!!” David Ball’s synths, Mike Thorne’s production and Marc’s insane deliverance of the lyrics and the “Martin” ad-libs take my breath away. The song certainly has imagery as it gallops along at a rapid pace.… Read more »
You’re so welcome Jeff. This is one of my favorite 12″ singles I mean 20 minutes of pure delight on wax. This song could win an Oscar if it were included on a worthy fil soundtrack. I don’t think the Hendrix Medley is blasphemy I love when other artists put there take on their idols. 🙂
What a rush!! Just blissed out on “The Hendrix Medley” and “Martin” and I am covered in chills. I love how you put it Paul that “Martin” could win an Oscar if included on a film soundtrack. Don’t you just love it how Marc harmonizes with himself? Amazing harmonies. Loved this same sort of thing on the long version of “Soul Inside” too. And the different permutations of the title over and over. It’s a frenzy of manic mayhem. My goodness, with the word “kill” repeated over and over and Mr. Ball synths banging away, I feel like I could… Read more »
Thanks Paul. Is there a 7″ version of Martin as well?
Not that I am aware of Omar 🙂
Another great post Paul, Martin would be the perfect choice on a horror soundtrack, It was inspired by George A. Romero’s horror film Martin (1978).
Bedsitter and Tainted Love are my two all time best-loved Soft Cell tracks and Marc Almond with Bronski Beat “I Feel Love”.
Yep John Martin was inspired by George A. Romero’s film.
Soft Cell? Marc Almond? Yes!
A big THANK YOU!
Christian
You’re welcome my friend more SC and Marc coming 🙂
hurrah!