Tag: 7″

February 13, 2026

ABC – Valentine’s Day (Japan 7″) (1982)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: February 13, 2014

Few debut albums in pop history have arrived as fully formed and sonically lavish as The Lexicon of Love by ABC. Released in 1982 and produced by Trevor Horn, the album was a masterclass in orchestral pop sophistication. While it spawned major international hits, one of its most intriguing and elusive singles was a Japan-only release: “Valentine’s Day.”

And what better excuse to spotlight this rarity than February 13th or 14th, depending on where you are. Consider this a special Burning the Ground Valentine — a deep cut pulled from the grooves rather than the greeting card aisle. ❤️

A Japanese-Only 7-Inch

Issued exclusively in Japan in 1982 on Mercury Records, “Valentine’s Day” appeared as a 7-inch single backed with “The Look Of Love (Part 3).” The single did not chart, and no music video was produced, making it a comparatively quiet release during an otherwise high-profile campaign for The Lexicon of Love.

But what truly elevates this pressing for collectors is the B-side.

The Dancefloor Connection

“The Look Of Love (Part 3)” is not simply an instrumental reprise — it is a dance-oriented remix by legendary remixer John Luongo. Known in the early ’80s for transforming pop tracks into extended club workouts, Luongo reimagined ABC’s lush pop classic into a more rhythm-driven, floor-friendly mix.

While the original album version of “The Look Of Love” leaned heavily into sweeping orchestration and romantic drama, Luongo’s remix emphasizes groove and propulsion. It strips back some of the ornate grandeur and highlights the rhythm section, making it tailor-made for early ’80s dance floors. For fans of 12-inch culture and remix history — something I know many of us live for — this version represents an important bridge between new wave sophistication and club sensibility.

“Valentine’s Day” — Romance Without Irony

The A-side, meanwhile, showcases a slightly different emotional tone. “Valentine’s Day” feels more earnest than some of the album’s sharper, more sardonic singles. Martin Fry’s theatrical delivery remains front and center, but the track leans into vulnerability rather than clever detachment.

Within the broader narrative arc of The Lexicon of Love, the song plays like a sincere confession amid the stylish heartbreak. It’s polished, dramatic, and impeccably arranged — yet emotionally exposed.

A Hidden Gem for Collectors

Because this single was issued only in Japan and never charted, it remains a fascinating curio in ABC’s discography. No video, no major promotion — just a beautifully pressed 7-inch pairing a heartfelt album cut with a bona fide dance remix by one of the era’s most respected club architects.

For collectors of international variations and remix history, this release captures something special: the moment when glossy British pop met American club culture on the flip side of a Japanese 45.

And sometimes, that’s where the most interesting stories are hiding — not always on the charts, but in the grooves.

SIDE A:
Valentine’s Day 3:41

SIDE B:
The Look Of Love (Part 3) 4:17

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 7PP-85
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: Japan
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Trevor Horn
Written-By, Performer – ABC

NOTES:
Side B remixed by John Luongo but not credited.
Made in Japan

Buy the 7″ 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.

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.

November 26, 2024

Various – Happy Christmas From The Stars (UK 7″ Flexi-disc)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1982

Season’s Greetings!

I originally shared this post way back on December 22, 2012, but a good friend of the site suggested it was worth revisiting to kick off the Christmas season. After giving it some thought, I agreed—it’s a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit. While I didn’t create a new transfer for this one, there’s only so much you can do with a 44-year-old flexi-disc. That said, I’m excited to share it again and wish you all the best this holiday season and beyond!

“Happy Christmas From The Stars” is a promotional-only flexi-disc single featuring spoken-word holiday messages from various 80s pop stars. It was released in the UK in 1982 as a collaboration between Smash Hits, Levi’s, and Lyntone Records. The disc was included as a freebie with the December 9-22, 1982 issue of Smash Hits magazine.

This promotional item was tied to Levi’s “Accessory Kit 3” campaign for their black Levi jeans. Interestingly, the idea for the single came from Neil Tennant, who was then Smash Hits’ news editor and would go on to fame as a member of the Pet Shop Boys.

As with most flexi-discs, the audio quality isn’t stellar—they’re notorious for that. However, I’ve done my best to restore the recording while preserving some of the original crackle, which I believe adds to its charm. The full recording includes the Levi’s promo segments for a complete vintage experience.

Enjoy, and Happy Christmas!

—DjPaulT

SIDE A:
Happy Christmas From The Stars (Part 1) 6:12

SIDE B:
Happy Christmas From The Stars (Part 2) 6:14

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Very Good
Sleeve: Near Mint (generic)

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Smash Hits! Magazine – LYN 12570/1, Levi’s – LYN 12570/1
Format: Flexi-disc, 7″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1982
Genre: Non-Music
Style: Spoken Word, Holiday

CREDITS:

Concept By [Idea] – Neil Tennant
Featuring – ABBA, ABC, Adam*, Bananarama, Bucks Fizz, Captain Sensible, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Fun Boy Three, Haircut One Hundred, Imagination, Madness, Mari Wilson, Musical Youth, Steve Strange, The Jam, Piranhas*, Police*, Toyah, Ultravox
Producer – Trevor Dann
Recorded By – Mark Ellen

NOTES:
Smash Hits promotion for ‘Accessory Kit 3’ with ‘Black Levi’ brand jeans by Levi’s.

Made in Britain by Lyntone London.

Buy the Flexi 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

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.

July 17, 2024

Mark Holden – Who Do You Love? (Japan 7″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1983

“Who Do You Love?” was the second single taken from the self-titled fourth studio LP by Australian singer-songwriter Mark Holden. The album would also be his first release on American label Casablanca Records. “Who Do You Love?” was co-written by Holden, and only released as a single in Australia, and Japan failing to chart. Richard Carpenter covered the song for his solo album “Time” (1987).

Holden was a pop star in the 1970s and had four top 20 hit singles, “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again” (May 1976), “I Wanna Make You My Lady” (September), “Last Romance” (November) and “Reach Out for the One Who Loves You” (October 1977). Holden regularly appeared on the national pop music show, Countdown. Holden is remembered for his good looks and clean-cut image.

In the 1980s he worked as a songwriter in Los Angeles providing material recorded by Meat Loaf, Joe Cocker, Gladys Knight, Bob Welch, and Steve Jones. He was one of three original judges on the television series Australian Idol (2003–07) and the first season (2005) of The X Factor. In 2023, Holden voiced “The Old Man” in the narrative video game RoboCop: Rogue City.

After the lack of success of Mark Holden (LP), Holden focused on becoming a songwriter and music producer. He formed a company called Multimedia with Anthony Curtis and Dan Wilson and over the next decade co-wrote two top ten hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for the Temptations, “Lady Soul” (June 1986) and “Look What You Started” (1987). There were also hits with Tracie Spencer, Joey Lawrence, Will Downing, a #1 dance hit with Kathy Sledge, and over 50 cover recordings of his songs from artists as varied as Belinda Carlisle, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, The Manhattans, Donny Osmond, José Feliciano, Fleetwood Mac, David Hasselhoff, Scarlett and Black and Branford Marsalis.

SIDE A:
Who Do You Love? 3:36
Written-By – Gary Pickus, Mark Holden, Peter Hamilton (8)

SIDE B:
Hey Little Girl 1:55
Written-By – Mark Holden, Peter Hamilton (8)

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Casablanca – 7S-100
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: Japan
Released: 1983
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Pop

CREDITS:

Mastered By – Ken Perry
Producer – Mark Holden, Peter Hamilton (8)
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Chris Brunt

NOTES:
Recorded At – Indigo Ranch Studios
Mixed At – Indigo Ranch Studios
Mastered At – Masterfonics

From the LP “Mark Holden”

Buy the 7″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (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.