Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: July 19, 2011
“Don’t Cry It’s Only The Rhythm”…
Few songs in pop history are as daring, theatrical, and sonically adventurous as Slave To The Rhythm by Grace Jones. Released in October 1985, the single was the centerpiece of Jones’ critically acclaimed album of the same name, a record that blurred the lines between pop, art, performance, and avant-garde experimentation.
Produced by the legendary duo of Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson, “Slave To The Rhythm” became one of Grace Jones’ signature recordings. Built around thunderous percussion, dramatic orchestration, layered vocals, and hypnotic grooves, the track remains a striking example of mid-80s studio innovation.
The project originally began as a song intended for Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but Trevor Horn ultimately realized the composition was perfectly suited for Grace Jones’ commanding vocal style and larger-than-life persona. The result was unlike anything else on radio at the time.
The album itself was conceived almost like a concept piece. Different variations and interpretations of the title track appear throughout the LP, weaving together interviews, spoken-word passages, orchestral elements, and dense production techniques that pushed studio technology of the era to its limits. Horn utilized the Fairlight CMI extensively, helping create the album’s futuristic and cinematic soundscape.
“Slave To The Rhythm” was a major international success. The single reached the Top 10 in several countries including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, while also becoming a staple of dance clubs worldwide. In the United States, Grace Jones continued to strengthen her reputation as one of the most fearless and uncompromising artists of the decade.
The unforgettable music video, directed by Jean-Paul Goude, perfectly complemented the song’s surreal atmosphere. Goude, who had previously collaborated extensively with Jones both artistically and personally, created striking visual imagery that further cemented her status as a true icon of style and performance art.
This UK Limited Edition 12″ single contains the full-length “Blooded Version” of the track, running over eight minutes and delivering the complete immersive experience intended for the dance floor. From its dramatic opening narration to its explosive percussion breakdowns, the extended mix remains one of the defining 12-inch releases of the 1980s.
As with many productions from Trevor Horn during this era, the vinyl pressing offers warmth, punch, and dynamic range that many later digital releases struggle to capture fully. The layered percussion, deep bass textures, and atmospheric details especially come alive on a properly mastered 12-inch pressing.
Presented here is a NEW 2026 meticulous audio restoration and transfer, sourced directly from vinyl to preserve the depth, clarity, and power of this groundbreaking recording.
Whether experienced as avant-garde pop, dance music, or pure sonic theater, “Slave To The Rhythm” remains one of the boldest artistic statements of the 1980s. Nearly four decades later, it still sounds futuristic.
SIDE A:
Slave To The Rhythm (Blooded) 8:29
SIDE B:
Junk Yard 5:21
Annihilated Rhythm 3:38
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
Poster: Mint
| Chart Performance – Grace Jones: Slave To The Rhythm (1985–1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 20 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 7 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 4 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 18 |
| European Top 100 Singles (Eurotipsheet) | 7 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 16 |
| France (SNEP) | 50 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi) | 6 |
| Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) | 8 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 3 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 4 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 5 |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 14 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 12 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 20 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 4 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label:ZTT – 12IS 206, Island Records – 12IS 206
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Poster
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Avant-Garde
CREDITS:
- Accompanied By – The Strictly Unreasonable Zang Tuum Tumb Big Beat Colossus
- Artwork [Front Cover] – Jean Paul Goude*
- Producer – Trevor Horn
- Producer [Assistant] – S. J. Lipson*
- Written-By – Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson, Trevor Horn
NOTES:
“The members of the Z.T.T. art AND ACT SERVICE and the strictly unreasonable ZANG TUUM TUMB BIG BEAT COLOSSUS, who accompany Miss Grace Jones, are acknowledged on the cover of the biography.”
Includes a poster – sleeve sealed with a green and silver sticker featuring the wording “Strictly Limited Edition Includes Special Poster”.
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
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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
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