Tag: 1985

November 13, 2025

Sade – The Sweetest Taboo (US 12″ Promo) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in late 1985 as the lead single from Promise, Sade’s sophomore album, “The Sweetest Taboo” is a silky, sunlit groove that effortlessly blends jazz, pop, and soul into one of the most distinctive sounds of the decade. The track was written by Sade Adu and bandmate Martin Ditcham and produced by Robin Millar, who also helmed their debut Diamond Life.

Where Diamond Life introduced the world to Sade’s cool sophistication, Promise deepened the palette—more organic, more textured, and more confident. “The Sweetest Taboo” perfectly captures that evolution. Built around a gentle Latin-tinged rhythm, velvety guitar, and understated percussion, the song creates a mood that feels both romantic and timeless.

Lyrically, Sade describes a love so deep it feels almost forbidden—a passion that transcends words. Her vocal delivery is intimate and soothing, floating effortlessly over the groove. “There’s a quiet storm / And it never felt like this before,” she sings, inviting listeners into a serene emotional space few artists could craft so delicately.

The single became one of Sade’s signature hits, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1986. It also found success across Europe, further cementing the group’s status as global icons of refined, emotive pop. The accompanying music video, directed by Brian Ward, mirrors the song’s warmth—featuring Sade in desert landscapes and dreamlike imagery that evoke both freedom and longing.

“The Sweetest Taboo” is more than just a hit single; it’s a defining moment in 1980s music—smooth yet soulful, intimate yet sophisticated. Nearly forty years later, its gentle rhythm and Sade’s unmistakable voice still sound like the essence of quiet passion.

SIDE A:
The Sweetest Taboo (Short Version) 4:24

SIDE B:
The Sweetest Taboo (Long Version) 5:27

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Sade: The Sweetest Taboo (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Billboard Hot 100	#5	1985/86
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary	#1	1985/86
US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	#3	1985/86
UK Singles Chart	#31	1985/86
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#12	1985/86

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Portrait – RAS 2219
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Smooth Jazz, Soul

CREDITS:

Engineer [Production] – Mike Pela
Producer – Robin Millar
Written-By – Ditcham*, Adu*
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Lacquer Cut At – Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Produced For – Modern Media Ltd.
Published By – Silver Angel Music, Inc.

NOTES:
DEMONSTRATION
NOT FOR SALE
Taken From The Portrait Lp: “PROMISE”

“Long Version” is also known as “Extended Version”.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
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.

November 12, 2025

Vitamin Z – Circus Ring (We Scream About) (Remix) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Sheffield-based pop duo Vitamin Z made their debut in 1985 with the album Rites of Passage, a record that blended stylish synth-pop with touches of rock and soul. One of its standout tracks is “Circus Ring,” a shimmering, emotional single that captures the lush, cinematic sound Vitamin Z became known for.

Formed by Geoff Barradale (vocals) and Nick Lockwood (bass and keyboards), Vitamin Z were part of the mid-’80s wave of UK bands who brought intelligence and sophistication to pop music. Their sound was sleek yet heartfelt—think a cross between Tears for Fears, The Blow Monkeys, and early Simple Minds—with an emphasis on melody, mood, and atmosphere.

“Circus Ring” was released as a single in 1985, following their debut hit “Burning Flame.” Produced by Ross Cullum (known for his work with Tears for Fears and Howard Jones), the song features a sweeping arrangement built on chiming guitars, shimmering synth textures, and Barradale’s emotive vocals. The lyrics use circus imagery as a metaphor for love and vulnerability, reflecting the bittersweet tone that runs throughout Rites of Passage.

The 12″ version of “Circus Ring” expands on the album cut with a fuller, more dynamic mix. Extended instrumental passages allow Lockwood’s basslines and the song’s layered percussion to shine, creating an immersive experience that showcases Cullum’s meticulous production. It’s a perfect example of how the extended mix could transform a great pop song into something truly cinematic.

Although Vitamin Z never achieved widespread commercial success beyond “Burning Flame,” they’ve maintained a loyal following among fans of sophisticated ‘80s pop. Songs like “Circus Ring” highlight the duo’s gift for combining emotional depth with stylish production—proof that even in an era of glossy pop, there was still plenty of heart beneath the surface.

SIDE A:
Circus Ring (We Scream About) (Remix) 7:00

SIDE B:
Circus Ring (We Scream About) (7″ Version) 4:40
Don´t Stop (To Listen To His Music) 3:57

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – MERX 186
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – JB*
Photography By – Brian Aris
Recorded By, Producer – Ross Cullum
Written-By – Barradale*, Lockwood*

NOTES:
From the album “Rites Of Passage”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.

November 4, 2025

Wang Chung – To Live And Die In L.A. (UK 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Originally posted on April 5, 2018, this 12″ single has been given a meticulous 2025 audio restoration, enhancing clarity, dynamics, and depth while preserving the warmth of the original vinyl pressing.

Released in September 1985, “To Live and Die in L.A.” stands as one of the most evocative singles of the decade — a moody, cinematic piece that perfectly captures the neon-lit tension of the era. Written and performed by Wang Chung — the British duo of Jack Hues and Nick Feldman — the song was composed specifically for director William Friedkin’s 1985 crime thriller of the same name.

Following the success of their 1984 album Points on the Curve and the hit single “Dance Hall Days,” Wang Chung were approached directly by Friedkin, who was impressed by the atmospheric quality of their music. He commissioned them to create the entire soundtrack for his upcoming film. Unlike most directors, Friedkin gave the band complete creative freedom, telling them, “I don’t want songs that comment on the action. I want music that becomes the action.”

The result was a strikingly original soundtrack that fused synth-pop, ambient textures, and instrumental experimentation — a soundscape as stylish and dangerous as the film’s Los Angeles setting. The title track serves as both the emotional and thematic centerpiece, with Hues’ cool, detached vocals floating over pulsating synths and slow, haunting percussion. The lyrics speak of honor, love, and freedom — echoing the film’s fatalistic tone and moral ambiguity.

While “To Live and Die in L.A.” peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100, its influence has endured far beyond its chart position. It’s a track that rewards rediscovery — a haunting anthem for dreamers and drifters, shimmering with the melancholic beauty that defined much of mid-’80s electronic pop.

The Extended Version was released exclusively on the UK 12” single (Geffen Records, stretching the song to nearly six minutes with an expanded intro and instrumental sections that heighten its hypnotic mood. No instrumental mix was ever issued, making the extended 12” version the definitive way to experience the track in its fullest form.

After the To Live and Die in L.A. project, Wang Chung returned to mainstream pop success with Mosaic (1986) and the massive hit “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” Yet this song — and the album it anchors — remains their most artistically ambitious work, a timeless fusion of pop and noir that captures the sound of Los Angeles in all its beauty and decay.

Nearly forty years later, “To Live and Die in L.A.” still glows with the same dangerous allure — a haunting reminder that Wang Chung were more than just party anthems and pop hooks. They could also craft music that felt like cinema.

SIDE A:
To Live And Die In L.A. (Extended Version) 5:57
Producer – Steve Jolley & Tony Swain

SIDE B:
Dance Hall Days (Remix) 8:13
Producer – Chris Hughes, Ross Cullum

Black-Blue-White 2:29

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Wang Chung: *To Live And Die In L.A.* (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#41	1985
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#21	1985

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records ‎– TA 6756
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Written-By – Wang Chung

NOTES:
Tracks A1-B2 from the Music From The Motion Picture “To Live And Die In L.A.

Track B2 Recorded in Motion-Rama by Dave Motion

Track B1 from the LP “Points On A Curve”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.

October 7, 2025

3 Speed / Maria Vidal – Once Bitten / Just One Kiss (US 7″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

I originally posted this single back in October 2014, but for Spooky Season Spins 2025 I’m proud to share a brand-new, meticulously restored transfer — crisp, clean, and better than ever.

Spooky Season Spins Begins! 🎃💀🕸️

October is here, and that means it’s time to dust off the cobwebs, dim the lights, and turn up the volume — Spooky Season Spins officially begins today on Burning The Ground!

To kick things off, I’m featuring a rare and fascinating 7″ single pairing two tracks that perfectly capture that eerie ‘80s edge: 3 Speed – “Once Bitten” backed with Maria Vidal – “Just One Kiss.”

Released in 1985, this promo single was tied to the cult horror-comedy Once Bitten, starring a young Jim Carrey and Lauren Hutton. The A-side, “Once Bitten” by 3 Speed, brings that quintessential mid-80s movie soundtrack energy — upbeat, synthy, and a little bit dangerous. Flip it over, and Maria Vidal (best known for her hit “Body Rock”) delivers “Just One Kiss,” a sultry, atmospheric cut that’s dripping with vampiric allure.

3 Speed, a synth-rock band formed in Boston, enjoyed considerable success following the release of the Once Bitten soundtrack. At one point, they were even opening for Pat Benatar. Despite this momentum, MCA Records never petitioned the band to record a full-length LP, commissioning them instead to write songs for other soundtracks — including Rad and Savage Streets.

Both tracks on this single — “Once Bitten” and “Just One Kiss” — were written by legendary songwriting duo Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who went on to craft some of the biggest hits of the 1980s and 1990s, including “Like A Virgin,” “True Colors,” “So Emotional,” and “Eternal Flame.”

“Just One Kiss” had actually been recorded earlier, in 1982, by Rick Springfield for his album Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet — making the Once Bitten versions a fascinating bridge between early ‘80s pop-rock and mid-decade soundtrack synth-pop.

This record is one of those under-the-radar soundtrack gems that never got a wide release, making it a real treat for collectors and spooky-season DJs alike.

So cue the fog machine, light a few candles, and let’s sink our teeth into this one — the first Spooky Season Spin of 2025.

🩸 Stay tuned all month long for more hauntingly good 12″ and 7″ treats from the darker corners of the 1980s dancefloor.

SIDE A:
Once Bitten 3:39
Performed By – 3-Speed*

SIDE B:
Just One Kiss 4:00
Performed By – Maria Vidal

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Curb Records – MCA-52717, MCA Records – MCA-52717
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Engineer – Brian Reeves
Producer – Richie Zito
Written-By – B. Steinberg*, T. Kelly*

NOTES:
From the MCA/CURB LP, MCA-6154, “Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack “Once Bitten.”

Buy the 7″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.