Tag: 1983

The Icicle Works – Love Is a Wonderful Colour (UK 12″) (1983)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in late 1983, Love Is a Wonderful Colour is the most well-known track by British alternative rock band The Icicle Works. Serving as the second single from their self-titled debut album, the song became the band’s biggest hit, reaching #15 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1984.

Led by Ian McNabb, The Icicle Works emerged from Liverpool’s vibrant post-punk and new wave scene, drawing comparisons to bands like Echo & The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes. Love Is a Wonderful Colour is a perfect example of the band’s signature sound—soaring melodies, grand instrumentation, and poetic lyrics. McNabb’s evocative vocals, combined with dramatic percussion and rich, layered production, create a cinematic feel that sets the song apart from many of its contemporaries.

Lyrically, the song is filled with vivid imagery and a sense of longing, though its exact meaning has been subject to interpretation. McNabb has described it as a song about the beauty and power of love, but its abstract poetry allows listeners to take their own meaning from it.

While The Icicle Works never achieved massive commercial success beyond this track, they maintained a devoted following throughout the 1980s and beyond. Ian McNabb later pursued a solo career, continuing to create music with the same passionate, anthemic quality that Love Is a Wonderful Colour embodies.

This song remains a standout for fans of 1980s alternative and new wave music—a timeless, euphoric anthem that captures the era’s grand, romantic spirit.

SIDE A:
Love Is A Wonderful Colour (Long Version) 6:44
Mixed By – Hugh Jones
Producer – David Lord

SIDE B:
Waterline 4:01
Producer – The Icicle Works

In The Dance The Shaman Led 3:43
Producer – The Icicle Works

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Beggars Banquet – BEG 99 TBeggars Banquet – BEG 99(T)
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Nov 4, 1983
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Indie Rock

CREDITS:
Written-By – McNabb*

NOTES:
B1, B2 produced with thanks to John Brierley

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.



Colourbox – Breakdown (Second Version) (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive -1983

In the early 1980s, the world of electronic music was rapidly evolving, and British group Colourbox was at the forefront of this creative revolution. Among their many standout tracks, “Breakdown” holds a special place. Originally released as the band’s debut single in 1982, this track encapsulates the experimental spirit of the era while showcasing the band’s unique blend of dub, soul, and electronic pop influences.

But it’s the 1983 Second Version of “Breakdown” that truly stands out. In contrast to the slower, funkier first version, the second version transforms the song into a syrupy new wave dance jam. Featuring the striking new vocals of Lorita Grahame, it pairs a hard-driving beat with intricate tape edits. This style would later foreshadow the Young brothers’ pioneering work in sampling, first showcased in tracks like Hot Doggie and later brought to the mainstream as M|A|R|R|S with the groundbreaking hit Pump Up the Volume.

The second version is packed with innovation. It’s faster, more dynamic, and built for the dance floor, yet retains the emotional depth that made the original so captivating. The production is razor-sharp, and the layers of sound give it a genre-defying quality that only Colourbox could pull off.

On the same EP, “Tarantula”, written by Martyn Young and sung by Grahame, is another standout track. It’s one part cutter anthem, another part political screed, and yet another part genre-bending dub cut. The haunting, otherworldly vibe earned it the nickname “dub goth,” and it’s easy to imagine a 16-year-old Zooey Deschanel on ludes vibing to it in Thatcherite Britain. Sadly, its themes remain relevant today.

These tracks are a reminder of how Colourbox pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be, merging genres and sounds in ways that were truly ahead of their time. Breakdown (Second Version), with its danceable energy and sonic ingenuity, is a testament to their fearless creativity.

SIDE A:
Breakdown (Second Version) 7:50
Engineer, Producer – Mick Glossop

SIDE B:
Tarantula (Second Version) 8:14
Engineer – John Fryer
Producer – Colourbox

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12067
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Track A produced and engineered for Smoothside Limited.
Although uncredited, both tracks differ from the 7″ and are extended versions.

Promotional Copy Not For Sale

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.



Innocence In Danger – Violate The Video (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1983

“Violate The Video” was the debut single by the New Wave group Innocence In Danger, released on Epic Records in 1983. The group comprised Angela Bond and Steve Parry.
DISCOGS

In 1984, they released a self-titled EP featuring five tracks, with contributions from guitarist Carlos Alomar.

Their music is characterized by a blend of synthpop and New Wave elements, reflecting the early 1980s musical landscape.

SIDE A:
Violate The Video (Long Version) 5:33
Violate The Video (Short Version) 4:27

SIDE B:
Violate The Video (Extended Spanish Version) 5:23

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49-04157
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Recorded at Rockin’ Reel Studios
Mixed at Street Sound Studio

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.



Cheryl Lynn – Encore (US 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1983

“Encore,” released in 1983, is an R&B hit single by acclaimed R&B/soul singer Cheryl Lynn. Written and produced by the legendary Minneapolis funk duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song marked a milestone as their first number-one R&B hit as producers and Lynn’s second chart-topping R&B single. Despite peaking at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100, it became the most successful track from her fifth studio album, Preppie. The song also found success in the dance scene, climbing to #6 on the U.S. Dance chart.

+De-notes vinyl-only

SIDE A:
Encore (Dance Version)+ 8:20

SIDE B:
Encore (Dance Version)+ 8:20

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1984 Encore U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #69
1984 Encore U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles #1
1984 Encore U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music /  Club Play #6

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44 04257
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul, Disco

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Promotional Copy Not For Sale
Special Version from the Columbia LP “Preppie” 
Same track on both sides

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.