Tag: Closet 80S!

April 21, 2025

Double Entente – Sleeping Dogs Lie (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

I’m taking a short break from my Shep Pettibone run to fill a few requests. The first is another rare gem to add to my “Closet 80s” series—a track that never got its due but still shines in all the right ways.

“Sleeping Dogs Lie” by the short-lived duo Double Entente. Released in 1984, this atmospheric track was crafted by Chuck Fuller and Elyse Schiller, a synth-pop pairing that only released two singles before fading into obscurity.

The record was produced by none other than Randy “King” Jackson, the Grammy-winning musician and producer—long before his days as a judge on American Idol. Jackson’s touch is evident in the track’s sleek, polished sound: brooding synth layers, a pulsing electronic beat, and a cool, detached vocal performance that creates a haunting sense of emotional distance.

While Double Entente didn’t stay together long enough to release a full album, “Sleeping Dogs Lie” remains a standout—a moody, intelligent slice of early electronic pop that wouldn’t feel out of place alongside the likes of Yazoo, The The, or early Berlin.

SIDE A:
Sleeping Dogs Lie (Long Version) 6:16

SIDE B:
Sleeping Dogs Lie (Short Version) 4:46

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1984	Sleeping Dogs Lie	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#4

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05113
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Synth-pop, Electro, Soul

CREDITS:

Engineer – Maureen Droney
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Maureen Droney, Randy “King” Jackson*
Producer – Randy “King” Jackson*
Written-By – C. Fuller*, E. Schiller*

NOTES:
Recorded at THE AUTOMATT, San Francisco, CA

Printed in U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ 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

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 15, 2025

Blancmange – What’s Your Problem? (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive -1985

“What’s Your Problem?” is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 27 August 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe and produced by Stewart Levine, the song captures Blancmange’s signature blend of synth-driven melodies and witty lyrics.

Upon its release, “What’s Your Problem?” achieved moderate chart success, peaking at No. 40 in the UK Singles Chart and climbing to No. 30 in Ireland. A music video accompanied the single, gaining heavy rotation on the European music TV channel Music Box, further solidifying its presence during the mid-’80s synth-pop wave.

The 12″ Single Details:

One of the highlights of the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is its extended mix, offering fans a longer and more immersive version of the track. Interestingly, this extended mix is not explicitly mentioned on the sleeve or label, making it a subtle yet noteworthy feature for collectors and fans alike.

“What’s Your Problem?” is an extended mix but this is not mentioned on the release.

“Side Two” is an extended version of “22339” from the “Believe You Me” album.

“Living On The Ceiling” is the original 12″ version.

The inclusion of “Living On The Ceiling” on this 12″ single adds an extra layer of appeal, giving listeners a chance to enjoy one of Blancmange’s most beloved tracks in its original extended form.

Legacy

“What’s Your Problem?” may not have achieved the same level of success as some of Blancmange’s earlier hits, but it remains a memorable piece of their discography. The track showcases the duo’s knack for crafting catchy synth-pop tunes while exploring themes with a touch of humor and irony. For fans of ’80s synth-pop, the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is a must-have, thanks to its unique extended versions and its nod to the band’s earlier success with “Living On The Ceiling.”

SIDE A:
What’s Your Problem? 6:58
Producer –Stewart Levine

SIDE B:
Side Two 7:35
Producer –John Owen Williams*, Neil Arthur

Living On The Ceiling 5:37
Producer – Mike Howlett
Remix – Dennis Weinrich, John Owen Williams

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – BLANX 9, London Records – 882 073-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Artwork [Sleeve Conjured Up At] – Assorted Images
Written-By – Arthur*, Luscombe*

NOTES:
‘Living On The Ceiling’ not mentioned on back cover.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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.

January 14, 2025

Colourbox – Breakdown (Second Version) (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive -1983

In the early 1980s, the world of electronic music was rapidly evolving, and British group Colourbox was at the forefront of this creative revolution. Among their many standout tracks, “Breakdown” holds a special place. Originally released as the band’s debut single in 1982, this track encapsulates the experimental spirit of the era while showcasing the band’s unique blend of dub, soul, and electronic pop influences.

But it’s the 1983 Second Version of “Breakdown” that truly stands out. In contrast to the slower, funkier first version, the second version transforms the song into a syrupy new wave dance jam. Featuring the striking new vocals of Lorita Grahame, it pairs a hard-driving beat with intricate tape edits. This style would later foreshadow the Young brothers’ pioneering work in sampling, first showcased in tracks like Hot Doggie and later brought to the mainstream as M|A|R|R|S with the groundbreaking hit Pump Up the Volume.

The second version is packed with innovation. It’s faster, more dynamic, and built for the dance floor, yet retains the emotional depth that made the original so captivating. The production is razor-sharp, and the layers of sound give it a genre-defying quality that only Colourbox could pull off.

On the same EP, “Tarantula”, written by Martyn Young and sung by Grahame, is another standout track. It’s one part cutter anthem, another part political screed, and yet another part genre-bending dub cut. The haunting, otherworldly vibe earned it the nickname “dub goth,” and it’s easy to imagine a 16-year-old Zooey Deschanel on ludes vibing to it in Thatcherite Britain. Sadly, its themes remain relevant today.

These tracks are a reminder of how Colourbox pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be, merging genres and sounds in ways that were truly ahead of their time. Breakdown (Second Version), with its danceable energy and sonic ingenuity, is a testament to their fearless creativity.

SIDE A:
Breakdown (Second Version) 7:50
Engineer, Producer – Mick Glossop

SIDE B:
Tarantula (Second Version) 8:14
Engineer – John Fryer
Producer – Colourbox

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12067
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Artwork – 23 Envelope
Mastered By – BilBo (3) (tracks: A), DB* (tracks: B)
Written-By – Robbins*, Young*

NOTES:
Track A produced and engineered for Smoothside Limited.
Although uncredited, both tracks differ from the 7″ and are extended versions.

Promotional Copy Not For Sale

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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.

January 8, 2025

Innocence In Danger – Innocence In Danger (US 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984

The song “Innocence in Danger” by the American new wave group of the same name was released in 1984 as part of their self-titled EP. Fronted by Angela Bond and Steve Parry, the band featured notable contributions from renowned musicians, including guitarist Carlos Alomar. The single also incorporated the work of New York-based Freestyle and House producer Nelson Cruz, alongside acclaimed producer, arranger, composer, and remixer Steve Thompson.

The B-side of the single found its way into a Latin Rascals “Paco Supermix,” circa 1984, which aired on New York City’s dance radio stations such as WKTU or KISS. The track stands out with its hard electro beats, sharp synth stabs, heavily echoed snares, and expertly placed pause breaks. Female vocals in both English and Spanish add a dynamic layer to the production. The influence of Nelson Cruz is unmistakable, as his extensive credits include work with artists ranging from Shannon to the FFWD project, spanning a variety of freestyle and electro classics. This dramatic mix, with its prominent hard drum fills and rhythmic intensity, effortlessly crosses into several genres of 1980s club music.

Unfortunately, this single marked the group’s final release. Despite its brief existence, “Innocence in Danger” stands as a testament to the innovative sounds of the era, combining a distinctive blend of electro, freestyle, and new wave elements. For fans of 80s underground club music, it remains a hidden gem worth revisiting.

SIDE A:
Innocence In Danger (Extended Version Club Mix) 5:11
Innocence In Danger (Short Version) 3:48

SIDE B:
Who Do You Think You Are? (Extended Version) 6:32

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49-04985
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Electro

CREDITS:
Mastered By – Tom Coyne
Mixed By – Nelson Cruz, Steve Thompson
Producer – Ivan Ivan, Steve Parry (3)
Written-By – A. Bond*, S. Parry*

NOTES:
Special version from the Epic E.P.: “Innocence In Danger”

Demonstration – Not For Sale

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER * AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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.