Tag: Disco Friday

December 20, 2024

Material With Nona Hendryx / Cristina – It’s A Holiday / Things Fall Apart (UK 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1981

A Festive Throwback: Two Gems from the Original ZE Records Christmas Compilation.

This rare U.K. 12″ promo spotlights two standout tracks from the original 1981 release of A Christmas Record, the now-iconic holiday compilation by ZE Records. A unique blend of experimental and festive, the album became a cult classic, and these two tracks exemplify its groundbreaking style.

The first track, “It’s a Holiday” by Material featuring the soulful vocals of Nona Hendryx, was recorded during the same sessions that produced the band’s single “Bustin’ Out.” Nona, fresh off her years with Labelle and on the cusp of her 1980s solo career, became a favorite vocalist for Material’s mastermind, Bill Laswell. Her commanding presence on this track bridges the gap between funk, soul, and the avant-garde.

The second offering, “Things Fall Apart,” is a No Wave masterpiece by Cristina, an enigmatic artist known for her fusion of punk’s edge with disco’s infectious grooves. This track marked Cristina’s first collaboration with the innovative production duo Was (Not Was). Her trailblazing approach paved the way for artists like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, blending camp, self-awareness, and undeniable danceability in a way that was ahead of its time.

Both songs are presented here in their unaltered, original 1981 versions. Later reissues of A Christmas Record featured edited or altered takes, but this special promo preserves the brilliance of the original recordings in their purest form.

For fans of experimental holiday music, these tracks are must-listens—a perfect reminder of how ZE Records turned the Christmas album concept on its head, offering something truly bold and unforgettable.

SIDE A:
Material With Nona Hendryx – It’s A Holiday 7:12
Producer – Material

SIDE B:
Cristina – Things Fall Apart 4:34
Producer – The Was Bros*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Min

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ZE Records – IPR 2052, Island Records – IPR 2052
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Disco

NOTES:
Pre-Release Limited Edition

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.

November 15, 2024

Machine – There but for the Grace of God Go I (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1979

“There but for the Grace of God Go I” by Machine is a classic Disco track, known for its socially conscious lyrics and powerful beat. Released in 1979, the song was written by August Darnell, also known for his work with Kid Creole & The Coconuts, and his brother Stony Browder Jr. Its story addresses themes of societal pressures, racism, and the desire for a better life.

The song follows a Latino couple, Carlos and Carmen Vidal, who move from the South Bronx to try to raise their daughter in a safer, more affluent environment. However, in their attempt to distance her from the influences they consider harmful, they isolate her and ultimately face the irony of trying to shield her from the very world they were once part of. The line “Too much love and protection can lead to your child’s rejection” captures this tragic twist perfectly.

Musically, “There but for the Grace of God Go I” combines funky basslines, driving percussion, and a memorable horn section, encapsulating the disco sound with a touch of Latin influence. Machine’s vocals are intense and commanding, matching the urgency of the lyrics. The song was both popular on the dance floor and impactful in its message, resonating with audiences who appreciated its unique blend of a danceable beat and socially aware storytelling.

The song became a cult classic, especially in the dance and disco scenes, and its influence has endured, with various artists and DJs sampling or covering it. It remains a staple for those looking to explore disco music with a deeper message, showcasing how the genre could offer not just infectious rhythms but also poignant reflections on society.

“There but for the Grace of God Go I” enjoyed notable success, especially within the dance and disco communities. The song quickly became a club favorite, thanks to its infectious groove and powerful social message. In the United States, it achieved significant success on the Billboard charts, peaking at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 but making a much bigger impact on the dance floors. It reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Disco Top 100 chart, a reflection of its popularity in nightclubs and discos across the country.

The song resonated in New York’s vibrant disco scene and quickly spread internationally, particularly in Europe. It became a hit in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, where its socially conscious lyrics and energetic beat struck a chord with fans of both disco and funk. “There but for the Grace of God Go I” helped establish Machine as one of the bands that pushed disco into a slightly edgier, message-driven direction, paving the way for future dance hits with more substantive themes.

SIDE A:
There But For The Grace Of God Go I 4:59
Written-By – August Darnell, Kevin Nance

SIDE B:
Get Your Body Ready 4:07
Vocals [Uncredited] – Jocelyn Brown
Written-By – Kevin Nance

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1979	There but for the Grace of God Go I	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#77
1979	There but for the Grace of God Go I	U.S. Billboard Black Singles	#91
1979	There but for the Grace of God Go I	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance / Disco songs	#8

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA Victor – PD-11457, Hologram Records (3) – PD-11457
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Disco

CREDITS:

Mastered By – RSE*
Producer – August Darnell

NOTES:
Produced for ITC Corp. Productions

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.

November 8, 2024

Paul Parker – One Look (One Look Was Enough) (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987

“One Look (One Look was Enough),” released in 1987, is a quintessential dance anthem by San Francisco-based Hi-NRG artist Paul Parker. Produced by Parker himself alongside Man Parrish, this single took the dance floors by storm and secured Parker his second #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart. With its pulsating beats, electrifying synth lines, and Parker’s unmistakable, powerful vocals, “One Look” exemplifies the freestyle and Hi-NRG styles that dominated the late 80s. The track remains a staple of the era, highlighting Parker’s influential role in shaping the high-energy dance music that filled clubs and captivated audiences worldwide.

SIDE A:
One Look (One Look Was Enough) (Extended Dance Mix) 6:08
Mixed By – Randy Easterling

SIDE B
One Look (One Look Was Enough) (The Man Parrish Mix) 6:38
Mixed By – Man Parrish

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	One Look (One Look Was Enough)	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Dice Records – TGR 1011, Dice Records – TGR-1011, Dice Records – 1011
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: HiNRG, Freestyle, Electro

CREDITS:

Administrator [Administration] – Scott Williams (32)
Artwork – Joy Thomas (2)
Coordinator – Gary Gibson (3)
Engineer – Man Parrish, Phil Mehaffey
Engineer [Assistance] – Della Sahnger
Graphics, Design – Francine Dali
Management – Ken Crivello
Mastered By – Tom Coyne
Producer – Man Parrish, Paul Parker
Producer [Post Production] – Tom Weisser
Promotion – Bob Davis (23)
Written-By – P. Parker*

NOTES:
A. Mixed for A Maze Productions
Engineered for Cyberteknics and for Network Sound Studio.
Mastered for Frankford-Wayne, NYC

Jacket Made in Canada

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.

November 1, 2024

Andy Gibb / David Shire – Shadow Dancing / Manhattan Skyline (US 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1978

NEW 2024 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: March 1, 2013

“Shadow Dancing” is a hit disco track by English singer Andy Gibb, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive seven weeks in 1978. Produced and arranged by Albhy Galuten, with contributions from Barry Gibb, the song marked a peak in Andy’s chart success. In July of that year, Andy performed “Shadow Dancing” at Miami’s Jai-Alai Fronton Studios, where Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb unexpectedly joined him on stage. This was the first time all four Gibb brothers performed together live.

According to Billboard’s Book of Number One Hits, Andy Gibb became the first solo artist in U.S. pop history to see his first three singles reach the number-one spot. “Shadow Dancing” was not only the top single of 1978 on Billboard’s year-end chart but also peaked at number eleven on the soul chart, selling 2.5 million copies in the U.S. alone.

The song was a collaboration among Andy and his brothers—Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb—written in Los Angeles while the three elder brothers worked on the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Andy recalled, “One night, while we were relaxing, we started working on tracks for my album Shadow Dancing, which later reached #7 on the U.S. album chart. In just ten minutes, we had a group going with the chorus.” This track became Andy’s final U.S. chart-topper, though he would achieve three more Top 10 hits in America.

On March 5, 1988, Andy Gibb celebrated his 30th birthday in London, in the midst of working on a new album. Tragically, just five days later, on March 10, he passed away from myocarditis—an inflammation of the heart muscle brought on by a recent viral infection and worsened by his years of cocaine abuse.

The B-side of this 12″ release features “Manhattan Skyline,” an instrumental by American composer David Shire. This track, from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, reflects Shire’s expertise in film, television, and stage musicals.

Denotes vinyl-only

SIDE A:
Andy Gibb – Shadow Dancing (Special Disco Version)+ 6:06
Producer – Albhy Galuten, Barry Gibb, Karl Richardson
Written-By – Andy Gibb, Barry Gibb-Robin Gibb-Maurice Gibb*

SIDE B:
David Shire – Manhattan Skyline (Instrumental) 4:43
Producer – Bill Oakes, David Shire
Written-By – David Shire

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1978	Shadow Dancing	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1978	Shadow Dancing	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	#8
1978	Shadow Dancing	U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	#11

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RSO – RPO 1000
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Disco, Funk

NOTES:
12″ housed in a white jacket with front title/artist text. Gold stamped rear.

A:
Produced by arrangement with The Robert Stigwood Organisation.
Extended version from Andy Gibb’s forthcoming album “Shadow Dancing” RS-1-3034

B:
From the RSO Records Soundtrack Album “Saturday Night Fever” RS-2-4001

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.