Tag: Daniel Abraham

Duran Duran – Skin Trade (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987

“Skin Trade” is the second single from Duran Duran’s Notorious album and the band’s 15th single in total. It was released in January 1987, reached #22 on the UK Singles Chart, and #39 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The music for “Skin Trade” was written long before Simon LeBon finally finished the lyrics. The title for the song was derived from the Dylan Thomas book Adventures in the Skin Trade which John Taylor had on him during the recording of the album. It was shortened to “Skin Trade” and LeBon eventually wrote the melody and lyrics for the track while spending an evening in Taylor’s Upper West Side Manhattan apartment. The lyrics reflect on how everyone is selling themselves, and “there’s a little hooker in each of us”.

The single was quite a departure for the band. Simon LeBon sang in falsetto, Le Bon admits he was channeling The Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger on their song “Emotional Rescue”. A horn section played a prominent role in the track, as played by The Borneo Horns. The band persevered with the single and many aspects of their future business took inspiration from “Skin Trade”. They called their publishing company Skin Trade Music Ltd. and the Notorious tour was called the “Strange Behaviour Tour” (a reference to that line of the song). Likewise, a 1987 remix EP and a 1999 double CD collection of remixes were also called Strange Behaviour.

Andy Taylor was no longer an official member of Duran Duran by that time, but he was credited as a session guitarist on this song, although apparently, he did not participate in the recordings. Meanwhile, the new guest musicians, Steve Ferrone and Warren Cuccurullo played the drums and lead guitars respectively. Nile Rodgers played some lines of the rhythm guitar.

In a retrospective review of the single, AllMusic journalist Donald A. Guarisco praised the song. He wrote: “The music lends contrast to the angry tone of the lyrics by creating a sultry, mellow melody that juxtaposes verses with a soft, hypnotic ebb and flow with an ever-ascending chorus that revs up the song’s inherent drama.”

The b-side to “Skin Trade” was the only original b-side released during the Notorious era. Entitled “We Need You”, it was written and recorded in 1986 while the band awaited the return of Andy Taylor for a recording session. It was the first recording to feature just the three remaining members of Duran Duran – Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Simon Le Bon.

Two further mixes of “Skin Trade” (S.O.S. Dub & Parisian Mix) were completed, but not released commercially during the “Skin Trade” release cycle. They appeared on a US 12″ promo and on a UK 12″ promo, backed with remixes of the next single “Meet El Presidente”. The “Parisian Mix” was also released on the promo-only Master Mixes EP.

SIDE A:
Skin Trade (Stretch Mix) 7:41
Mixed By – Daniel Abraham
Remix – Larry Levan

SIDE B:
Skin Trade (Album Version) 5:57
Mixed By – Daniel Abraham

We Need You 2:51

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 Skin Trade U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #39

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15274
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Designed At – Manhattan Design
Engineer – Daniel Abraham
Producer – Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers (tracks: A, B1)
Written-By – Taylor, Rhodes, Le Bon*

NOTES:
Recorded in England.

…i love the smell of vinyl in the morning…

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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 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


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

Duran Duran – Notorious (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986

“Notorious” is the fourteenth single by the English new wave band Duran Duran. It was released internationally by EMI on 20 October 1986. “Notorious” was the first single issued from Duran Duran’s fourth album Notorious (1986), and the first released by Duran Duran as a 3-piece band after the departure of Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor. It was a commercial success worldwide, reaching number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was a success in various other countries.

“Notorious” marked the debut of the new streamlined trio version of Duran Duran, as Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor had left the band by the time the album was released. In fact, the acrimonious nature of Andy Taylor’s departure was reflected in the song to a certain degree. According to songwriter Simon Le Bon, the lyric “Who really gives a damn for a flaky bandit” was a direct dig at the guitarist.

As a trio, the band had enlisted the help of Nile Rodgers to take over production duties. His funk influences can be heard throughout the single – for example, the tempo and the use of The Borneo Horns brass section. Rodgers also played the guitar on the single.

For the first time, the B-side to the 7″ single was not an original recording; “Winter Marches On” was an unaltered version of the Notorious album track. Before this, Duran Duran had always provided either completely original songs or previously unheard remixes on the B-side.

As a first for the band, “Notorious” was released as two separate 12″ singles. The first had a Nile Rodgers produced “Extended Mix” while the second featured a remix by The Latin Rascals.

SIDE A:
Notorious (Extended Mix) 5:15

SIDE B:
Notorious (45 Mix) 3:59
Winter Marches On 3:24

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1986 Notorious U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #2
1986 Notorious U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #26

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15264, Capitol Records – 12 DDN 45
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design – Frank Olinsky
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Daniel Abraham
Producer [Produced By] – Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers
Written-By – Taylor, Rhodes, Le Bon*

NOTES:
From the LP “NOTORIOUS”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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 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


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

Belinda Carlisle – Summer Rain (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1990

“Summer Rain” is a song written by Robbie Seidman and Maria Vidal, produced by Rick Nowels for Belinda Carlisle’s third album Runaway Horses (1989).

“Summer Rain” achieved moderate commercial success in North America, where it was released as the second single from Runaway Horses (1989). In January 1990, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100, the main US chart, at number 86. Within seven weeks of its release, it peaked at number 30 and stayed at that position for two weeks. The single spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, six of which were in the top 50. The single was Carlisle’s second to the last song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where it spent eight weeks on the chart.

In Australia, the song had the most commercial success, where it was released as the album’s third single on March 19, 1990. In early April 1990, it debuted at number 42. Within two months of its release, it reached the top 10, where it stayed for five weeks. The song reached a peak at number six on May 20 and remained there for two more weeks, spending a total of 16 weeks in the top 50. It became the 40th highest-selling single in Australia in 1990.

The song was released in the United Kingdom in December 1990 as the sixth and final release from Runaway Horses, peaking at number 23 at the end of January 1991 and spending 10 weeks in the chart.

SIDE A:
Summer Rain (Extended Version) 8:01

SIDE B:
Summer Rain (Dub) 6:52

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1990 Summer Rain U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #30
1990 Summer Rain U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles #29

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records ‎– MCA-24011
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Garage House

CREDITS:
Art Direction, Design – Norman Moore
Edited By – Chip Nunez*
Engineer [Remix] – Daniel Abraham
Management – Danny Goldberg, Ron Stone
Photography – Ken Nahoum
Producer – Rick Nowels
Producer [Additional Production] – Justin Strauss
Programmed By [Additional Keyboard Programming] – Eric Kupper
Remix – Daniel Abraham, Justin Strauss
Written-By – Maria Vidal, Robbie Seidman

NOTES:
Original version appears on the Belinda Carlisle album, “Runaway Horses”
Additional Production for Just Right Productions.
Mastered at Precision.
Management for Gold Mountain Entertainment.

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Rolls Bellar VP-130
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 USED:
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

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988

“The Only Way Is Up” is a song written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson and originally released in 1980 as a single by soul singer Otis Clay.

In 1988, it became a chart-topping single for Yazz and the Plastic Population. The Yazz version was produced by Jonathan More and Matt Black (better known as dance duo Coldcut, who had worked with Yazz on their hit single “Doctorin’ the House”). “The Only Way Is Up” was Yazz’s first solo single, credited to her under the name Yazz and the Plastic Population. Released as a single in July 1988, the song became an instant smash hit, spending five weeks at number one in the United Kingdom, and ultimately becoming the second biggest-selling single of the year. In the United States, it reached number two on the Billboard dance chart, although only making number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

The opening horn blast is a sample from Sharon Redd’s 1982 dance classic “Beat the Street”.

SIDE A:
The Only Way Is Up (U.K. Extended Club Mix) 6:48

The Only Way Is Up (The Up Up Up Mix) 7:04
Remix – Bam Bam

SIDE B:
The Only Way Is Up (Acid Dub) 5:52
Producer [Additional], Remix – Justin Strauss, Murray Elias

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1988 The Only Way Is Up U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #96
1988 The Only Way Is Up U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #2

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Elektra ‎– 0-66732
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Acid House

CREDITS:
Edited By – Tuta Aquino
Engineer [Remix] – Daniel Abraham
Producer – Coldcut
Programmed By [Additional] – Eric Kupper
Sleeve – Pat Rodger, Pointblanc London*, Seán Quinn
Written-By – George Jackson (3), Johnny Henderson

NOTES:
B side additional production and remix for Popstand Productions.

Printed in U.S.A.

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: 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 USED:
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

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.