Tag: 1988

September 30, 2025

Taylor Dayne – Don’t Rush Me (US 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released as the fourth single from Taylor Dayne’s multi-platinum debut album Tell It to My Heart (1988), “Don’t Rush Me” was written by Alexandra Forbes and Jeff Franzel. The song continued Dayne’s hot streak, becoming her third consecutive U.S. Top 10 hit. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1988 and also climbed the Adult Contemporary and Dance charts, solidifying her as one of the standout voices of the late ’80s.

The 12” I’m posting today is the U.S. promo-only release, which stands apart from the standard single. This pressing contains exclusive House Mixes that were originally only issued in the United States and France. These remixes gave “Don’t Rush Me” a club-friendly update, layering in deeper grooves and house beats while keeping Dayne’s dynamic vocal front and center.

Another gem from the golden era of the 12-inch single, this promo captures Taylor Dayne at the peak of her chart power while also giving DJs something fresh to spin.

SIDE A:
Don’t Rush Me (Continental Clubhouse Mix) 8:39

SIDE B:
Don’t Rush Me (Continental Dubhouse Mix) 5:37
Don’t Rush Me (Rushapella) 3:39

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Taylor Dayne: *Don’t Rush Me* (1988)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#6	1988
US Billboard Hot 100	#2	1988
US Billboard RAdult Contemporary	#3	1988
U.K. Singles	#76	1988
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#4	1988

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – ADP-9774
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: House

CREDITS:

Engineer [Recording & Mix Engineer] – Bob Cadway
Overdubbed By [Keyboard Overdubs] – Rich Tancredi
Producer [Produced By], Remix [Remixed By] – Ric Wake
Remix [Remixed By] – Richie Jones
Written-By – Alexandra Forbes, Jeff Franzel

NOTES:
Produced For Bleux Productions

Loaned for promotion only

Manufactured By Arista Records, Inc. 6 W. 57th St., N.Y., N.Y. 10019

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.

September 16, 2025

State Of The Art – Love Will Keep Us Together (Germany 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Founded in Cologne in 1986 by Frank Schmitz (guitar, vocals) and Stephan Koch (keyboards, vocals, production), German synth-pop outfit State Of The Art came together with a clear vision: to shape their years of school band and local music experiences into a polished, professional project. In 1987, Stephan’s brother Georg Koch joined on drums, completing the trio.

The band’s first recordings took place at the V.A.M.P. Studio in Cologne, where early demo tapes were put together. These demos quickly caught the attention of A&R managers in Hamburg, and the group’s songwriting quality earned them a deal with Phonogram (Mercury/Polygram Records).

Their second single, “Love Will Keep Us Together,” was released in 1988 across Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Produced by pop producer Ulrich “James” Herter (best known for his work with Two of Us) alongside publisher Karin Wirthmann, the track showcased a glossy, melodic synth-pop sound that felt perfectly in step with the era.

With bright keyboards, crisp programming, and a heartfelt vocal performance, the single had all the makings of a hit. It even found success in the media: State Of The Art performed the song on several German television shows, including appearances on the iconic Formel Eins, and a promotional video was produced for the music program.

“Love Will Keep Us Together” resonated strongly on German radio, climbing into the WDR Schlagerrallye, where it ultimately landed at #15 on the annual chart. The band also earned recognition in the Goldene Europa competition, taking second place just behind fellow German pop group Pur.

While it didn’t break internationally, “Love Will Keep Us Together” stands today as a quintessential Closet 80s single: a polished, heartfelt slice of European synth-pop that deserved far more recognition than it received at the time. For collectors and lovers of hidden gems, it remains a rewarding discovery.

SIDE A:
Love Will Keep Us Together (Extended Version) 5:32
Written-By – Georg Koch, Stephan Koch, Timothy Touchton

On Deaf Ears 3:24
Written-By – Ken Taylor, Matthew Peevers, Stephan Koch

Love Will Keep Us Together (Single Version) 3:41
Written-By – Georg Koch, Stephan Koch, Timothy Touchton

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 870 177-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Artwork By [Cover] – Spot WA, Köln
Producer – Ulrich Herter

NOTES:
Made in West Germany

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.

September 12, 2025

State Of The Art – Shout And Run (Germany 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the late 1980s, Germany’s music scene had already become a vibrant melting pot of synths, glossy production, and sometimes melancholic vocals. Bands like State Of The Art may not have become household names globally, but within the synth-pop / new wave circuit, they crafted songs that captured both the energy and the restlessness of that time. One standout among their catalog is “Shout And Run,” released around 1988/1989.

Background: Who are State Of The Art

State Of The Art formed in the mid-1980s in Cologne. The core members included Stephan Koch (keyboard, vocals, production), Frank Schmitz (guitar, vocals), and Georg Koch (drums, programming).

They released a handful of singles: “Love Remains A Rebel” (1987), “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1988), and then “Shout And Run” toward the tail end of their activity before their disbandment/reformation under a new name (“Boys On Parade”).

The Song: Atmosphere, Themes, and Style

“Shout And Run” is built on the classic synth-pop foundation: synthesizers, upbeat drum machines, catchy melodies, and a blend of urgency and gloss that was characteristic of late ’80s pop in Germany (and elsewhere). The title alone suggests motion, tension, desire to break free (“run”) paired with a kind of confrontation or exclamation (“shout”).

Though full lyrics aren’t widely circulated, the song’s drift seems to contrast restlessness with a need for expression. The “shout” is a metaphor for being heard; the “run” implies escape or distancing. There’s something energetic—maybe even defiant—in that combination.

Chart Reception and Legacy

Though State Of The Art never released a full LP before their first disbandment, their singles had modest success in radio charts. “Shout And Run” came after “Love Remains A Rebel” and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” It was their third single and helped cement their place in the German synth/pop / radio music ecosystem of the time.

“Shout And Run” charted (Germany, radio) around #20 in early 1989.

Though the band would eventually change form (later becoming Boys On Parade) and evolve, songs like “Shout And Run” remain interesting touchpoints—they hint at what could have been had the band had more exposure, or had the LP followed through.

Why “Shout And Run” Matters

It encapsulates the tension of the era: between moving forward and being heard, between the synthetic and the human.
It shows how even bands without massive international fame contributed depth to the synth-pop movement.
For listeners today, it offers nostalgia but also relevance: themes of escape, expression vs suppression, urgency — those still resonate.

If you’re exploring the history of synth-pop, particularly in Germany, “Shout And Run” is one of those gems that’s worth rediscovery. It may not have topped global charts, but it’s part of the tapestry of that musical moment: electronic textures, emotional pulses, and a voice that wants to break through.

SIDE A:
Shout And Run (Pattern Event Mix) 5:34

SIDE B:
Shout And Run (Extended Mix) 5:00

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI Electrola – 1C 060-1 47417 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Lyrics By – Stephan Koch
Music By – Henry Parlan, Stephan Koch, Ulrich Herter
Producer – Ulrich Herter

NOTES:
State Of The Art are: Frank Schmitz, Georg Koch, Stephan Koch
Made in EEC

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.

September 5, 2025

Stacy Lattisaw – Call Me (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1988, Stacy Lattisaw was already a seasoned performer despite her young age. Discovered as a teenager, she had been recording since the late 1970s and built a reputation as one of R&B’s most promising voices. Known for her sweet yet powerful vocal style, Stacy seamlessly navigated ballads and uptempo tracks, earning her a loyal following throughout the ’80s.

“Call Me” was released as the third single from her ninth studio album, Personal Attention, which dropped on January 21, 1988, through Motown Records. The album itself represented an important chapter in Stacy’s career, as she worked to expand her sound with more contemporary late-’80s R&B production while keeping the soulful essence that had carried her through the decade.

The single “Call Me” is a sleek mid-tempo groove that showcases Stacy’s effortless vocal delivery over polished instrumentation. While it didn’t soar to the top of the charts, it managed to carve out its place, peaking at #80 on the Billboard R&B Chart. Even though it wasn’t a major hit, the track reflects the transitional sound of R&B at the time—blending smooth melodies with danceable rhythms that leaned toward the New Jack Swing era just around the corner.

Looking back, “Call Me” captures Stacy at an interesting point in her journey. Just a few years later, she would step back from the recording industry altogether, leaving behind a catalog that has continued to earn appreciation from collectors, DJs, and fans of ’80s soul and R&B.

For those who treasure late-’80s Motown releases, “Call Me” stands as a reminder of Stacy Lattisaw’s unique talent—an artist who began her career as a child prodigy and matured into a singer with undeniable warmth, sincerity, and groove.

SIDE A:
Call Me (12″ Remix) 6:15

SIDE B:
Call Me (7″ Version) 4:09
Call Me (Dubsky Bass) 4:56

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	Call Me	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop	#80

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – MOT-4615
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Soul

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Debbie Sandridge
Remix – Taavi Mote
Written-By – The Blitz (2)
Written-By, Producer – Lou Pace

NOTES:
Original version appears on the Stacey Lattisaw album, “Personal Attention”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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.