Tag: 1986

March 3, 2026

Teena Marie – Lips 2 Find U (US 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

A 1986 Quiet Storm Gem from Teena Marie

In 1986, Teena Marie released “Lips 2 Find U” as a single from her album Emerald City, further cementing her status as one of R&B’s most sophisticated singer-songwriters of the decade.

While it may not be the first title that comes up in casual conversation, the single made a respectable impact, climbing to #28 on the Billboard Black Singles chart — proof that Teena’s core audience was locked in and listening.

The Emerald City Sound

By the mid-’80s, R&B production was evolving rapidly. Drum machines were sharper, synth textures glossier, and arrangements more layered. Yet Teena always found a way to keep warmth in the mix.

“Lips 2 Find U” sits squarely in that sweet spot — polished but intimate. The production is sleek, with airy keyboards and subtle rhythm programming that give the song space to breathe. It’s not bombastic. It’s not chasing pop crossover trends. It’s mood-driven and mature.

And that’s exactly why it works.

A Charting Slow Burn

Reaching #28 on the Billboard Black Singles chart may not qualify as blockbuster status compared to earlier hits like Lovergirl or the funk classic Square Biz, but it reflects something equally important: consistency.

By 1986, Teena wasn’t a novelty or a breakout artist — she was an institution within R&B. Songs like “Lips 2 Find U” reinforced her credibility with Quiet Storm programmers and adult soul audiences who valued emotional nuance over flash.

Vocals That Whisper and Soar

What makes the track endure is her performance.

Teena Marie had extraordinary vocal control. On this record, she leans into sensuality with restraint. The phrasing is delicate, almost conversational at times, then gently lifts into those signature soaring notes that remind you just how powerful her instrument truly was.

It’s longing without melodrama. Romance without excess.

Why It Deserves Rediscovery

For collectors and deep-dive fans, “Lips 2 Find U” represents a fascinating period in Teena’s career — post-breakthrough, fully autonomous, refining her sound in an increasingly digital era.

It’s the kind of single that may not dominate greatest-hits playlists but rewards anyone willing to explore beyond the obvious tracks. And for those of us who appreciate the art of the slow burn, it’s essential listening.

Teena Marie didn’t just deliver hits. She built moods.
And “Lips 2 Find U” is one of her most elegant.

SIDE A:
Lips 2 Find U 5:11

SIDE B:
Lips 2 Find U (Instrumental) 5:09

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Teena Marie: *Lips 2 Find U* (1986)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot Black Singles	#28	1986

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49-05376
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Synth-pop, Funk

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Larkin Arnold
Mixed By, Producer, Written-By – Teena Marie
Photography – Randee St. Nicholas

NOTES:
Special Version from the Epic LP:
“Emerald City”

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.

January 29, 2026

Wild Blue – Fire With Fire (US 12″ Promo) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Closet 80s is a recurring series spotlighting overlooked and forgotten gems from the decade—songs that may not have dominated the charts but left a lasting impression. These are the records that still spark memories, reward rediscovery, and prove that some of the best ’80s music lived just outside the spotlight.

Wild Blue – Fire With Fire (1986)

Some songs feel inseparable from their moment—and Fire With Fire by Wild Blue is one of those lost 80s gems that deserves another listen.

Released in 1986, Fire With Fire was written specifically for the film of the same name, giving the track an immediate cinematic urgency. The song was written and produced by Chas Sandford, best known for co-writing John Waite’s Missing You. His knack for emotionally direct, radio-ready songwriting is all over this track—polished, dramatic, and built to connect.

Wild Blue were a Chicago-based band fronted by lead singer Renee Varo, whose powerful yet controlled vocal performance gives the song its emotional core. Firmly rooted in the AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) world, Fire With Fire balances melody and muscle, letting the verses simmer before the chorus opens up with conviction and fire.

The song enjoyed strong exposure beyond radio thanks to its music video, which received heavy rotation on MTV. In the mid-’80s, that kind of visibility mattered, and Fire With Fire fit perfectly alongside the era’s emotionally charged rock and pop visuals.

On the charts, the single debuted at #89 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on May 17, 1986, eventually peaking at #71. While it never became a major hit, its MTV presence and AOR appeal helped it leave a lasting impression. The track would later appear on Wild Blue’s debut album, No More Jinx, cementing its place as the band’s defining moment.

Fire With Fire is exactly the kind of record Closet 80s was made for—a song that may not have dominated the charts, but still captures the sound, ambition, and emotion of its time. Turn it up and rediscover a track that proves some fires never really go out.

SIDE A:
Fire With Fire (Edit) 3:30

SIDE B:
Fire With Fire (Long Version) 4:41

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Wild Blue: *Fire With Fire* (1986)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#71	1986

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – VAS-2289
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Pop, Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Engineer – Gary McGachan
Mixed By – Chas Sandford, Gary McGachan
Producer – Chas Sandford
Written-By – C. Sandford*

NOTES:
For Promotional Use Only

From the forthcoming LP “No More Jinx” and the Motion Picture “Fire With Fire.”

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 7, 2025

Belouis Some – Jerusalem (UK 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the mid-1980s, British singer-songwriter Belouis Some (born Neville Keighley) emerged with a stylish, synth-driven sound that fused pop hooks with an art-rock edge. Following the success of “Imagination” and “Some People,” his next single, “Jerusalem,” found him exploring a darker, more introspective side — a moody, atmospheric track that underscored his reputation as one of the era’s more intriguing voices.

Released in July 1986 as the fourth and final single from his debut album Some People, “Jerusalem” failed to make much commercial impact, peaking at #98 in the UK. Yet for fans and collectors of 1980s 12″ records, it remains a fascinating release — a deep cut brimming with sonic detail, haunting imagery, and a beautifully produced extended version.

The Sound of “Jerusalem”

Produced by Pete Schwier, Steve Thompson, and Michael Barbiero, “Jerusalem” blends shimmering synths with a steady pulse and a quietly powerful vocal from Belouis Some. The result is both cinematic and mysterious — a song that feels as much about atmosphere as melody.

Thompson and Barbiero, whose production credits include work with David Bowie, Talking Heads, and The Psychedelic Furs, brought a transatlantic sheen to the track. Their 12″ remix amplifies its tension and texture, pulling the listener into a shadowy emotional space that fits perfectly within the late-night synthpop aesthetic of 1986.

Lyrically, the song’s imagery is evocative rather than literal:

“You paint your face like it’s Jerusalem,
You lead the way like Jerusalem…”

Even Belouis Some admitted the track was “a bit depressing… just me trying to be clever,” but that introspection gives the song its depth. Its ambiguity, combined with his Bowie-esque delivery, creates a sense of isolation and grandeur that makes it linger long after the final notes fade.

The 12″ Single

The UK 12″ (Chrysalis CHS 12 2969) offered fans two versions of “Jerusalem” — a Long Version and an Instrumental Version — alongside an exclusive Dance Mix of “Target Practice”, another track from Some People that gets a muscular, rhythmic reworking here.

For collectors and DJs, this makes the 12″ essential. The mixes emphasize the song’s layered production and underscore Belouis Some’s ability to merge sophistication with dance-floor sensibility.

Critical Response

Although it didn’t climb the charts, “Jerusalem” was well received by critics who recognized its depth. Smash Hits described it as “haunting” and “David Bowie-inspired,” an apt comparison given the theatrical vocal phrasing and dark romantic tone. In hindsight, “Jerusalem” stands as one of Belouis Some’s most artful moments — sophisticated, moody, and meticulously crafted.

Legacy

For 12″ enthusiasts, “Jerusalem” represents exactly what makes 1980s vinyl culture so enduring: extended versions that breathe, production that rewards close listening, and B-sides that surprise. The addition of the “Target Practice (Dance Mix)” gives this release extra value, showing how Belouis Some and his producers viewed remixing as an art form rather than an afterthought.

It may not have topped the charts, but “Jerusalem” remains a rewarding listen — a slice of mid-80s sophistication that bridges pop ambition with post-new wave introspection. For those who collect, spin, or simply admire the craft of 12″ singles, this one’s a must-hear.

There was not a music video produced for this single.

SIDE A:
Jerusalem (Long Version) 5:56
Jerusalem (Instrumental Version) 5:54

SIDE B:
Target Practice (Dance Mix) 6:02

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12 R 6134, Parlophone – 12R 6134
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synthpop

CREDITS:

Design – Accident (8)
Photography By – Eric Watson (3)
Producer – Belouis Some (tracks: A1, A2), Pete Schwier (tracks: A1, A2), Steve Thompson • Michael Barbiero*
Remix – Joe Melotte* (tracks: B), Martin Freeland (tracks: B)
Written-By – Belouis Some

NOTES:
From the LP “SOME PEOPLE”

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 16, 2025

Robey – I Surrender (US 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

French-Canadian actress, songwriter, and singer Louise Robey, known professionally as Robey, released “I Surrender” as her fourth single in 1986. The song was issued exclusively as a 12″ single in the United States and Canada, making it a standout in her discography and a sought-after collectible among fans of 1980s dance music.

Unlike her earlier singles, “I Surrender” did not appear on her self-titled debut album from 1985, which featured her breakout hit cover of “One Night in Bangkok.” Instead, this track was a non-album single that further showcased Robey’s dramatic vocal delivery and her flair for cinematic, synth-driven production.

Built around a steady club beat, lush synth textures, and Robey’s signature sultry vocals, “I Surrender” embodies the Hi-NRG and electro-pop sound that defined the mid-80s dancefloor. The single reached #47 on the Billboard Dance Chart in October 1986, becoming Robey’s final charting single in the U.S.

Although it didn’t achieve mainstream success, “I Surrender” remains a fascinating slice of mid-80s club culture — a shimmering, emotional track that captures the moment when pop, dance, and performance art all collided under the strobe lights.

Outside of her music career, Robey is perhaps best remembered for her role as Micki Foster on the cult TV series Friday the 13th: The Series. Her unique blend of glamour, mystery, and charisma made her a defining figure of 1980s pop culture — and “I Surrender” stands as a perfect example of her musical style and artistic spirit.

SIDE A:
I Surrender 6:06
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Mark Berry
Written By – D. Batteau, D. Freeman, J. Ingram

SIDE B:
I Surrender (Dub Mix) 4:53
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Mark Berry
Written By – D. Batteau, D. Freeman, J. Ingram

Paris, Paree 5:45
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Marcus Barone
Written By – Louise Robey, M. Barone

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Robey: I Surrender (1986)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#47	1986

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 43018
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Photography – Guy W. Cearley

NOTES:
Recorded at Broccoli Rabe Studios 1986

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.