Tag: Disco Friday

March 14, 2025

Nick John – All I Want Is You (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Hi-NRG DISCO FRIDAY

Nick John, born Nickolas Johnathan Kovaleski, emerged as a notable figure in the mid-1980s Hi-NRG music scene. His striking blonde appearance and multifaceted talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer quickly garnered attention, making him a prominent poster boy for the genre during that era.

In 1986, at the age of 22, Nick John released his debut single, “Planet Nine,” under the renowned Megatone Records label. This track showcased his ability to blend energetic rhythms with catchy melodies, characteristic of the Hi-NRG style.

Following the success of his debut, he continued to make waves with subsequent releases, including “All I Want Is You” in 1987. This 12″ single further cemented his status in the dance music community, offering club-goers an infectious beat and memorable hooks.

Despite his early promise and contributions to the Hi-NRG genre, detailed information about Nick John’s career progression and life after his initial musical endeavors remains scarce. His work, however, continues to be celebrated by enthusiasts of 1980s dance music, ensuring his legacy within the genre endures.

SIDE A:
All I Want Is You (Club Mix) 7:39

SIDE B:
All I Want Is You (Razormaid Mix) 7:07
Engineer – Joseph Watt
Remix – Joseph Watt

All I Want Is You (Rhythm Radio Mix) 4:04

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Megatone Records – MT-151
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Disco, Hi NRG

CREDITS:

Drum Machine – Nick John
Engineer – Devon Bernardoni, Ken Kessie
Executive-Producer – Marty Blecman
Keyboards – Nick John
Mixed By – Ken Kessie, Marty Blecman
Performer – Nick John
Photography – Mark Guerra
Producer – Nick John
Project Manager – Karen Beason
Written-By – Nick John

NOTES:
A1, B2 Mixed at Starlight Studio, Richmond, CA
Razormaid Mixed at: Alpha Omega Studio San Francisco, CA
Photography Mark Guerra Austin, Texas
Booking agent Jeff Lepie, 213-392, 1467

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.

March 7, 2025

Instant Funk – Got My Mind Made Up (US 12″) (1978)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“I Got My Mind Made Up” is a 1978 disco-funk classic by Instant Funk, released on Salsoul Records. A defining track of the era, the song became a massive dancefloor hit, fusing deep funk grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and high-energy production.

From Simple R&B to a Club Anthem
The song’s original production was a simple 3-minute R&B track recorded on an 8-track tape, but that was only the beginning. It was transferred to 24-track tape at Blank Tapes, NYC, where producer Bunny Sigler and engineer Bob Blank began transforming it into a club anthem. Among the many enhancements, Bunny brought in a woman to deliver the now-iconic “Say what?” throughout the track. As she recorded, Bunny stood behind her, shouting instructions like “Scream!”, which were amplified and incorporated into the mix.

The Grueling Manual Remix Process
Remixing was a meticulous, manual process—no computerization was involved. Initially, legendary DJ Walter Gibbons attempted a remix but abandoned the project due to religious beliefs. Then, Ken Cayre, the owner of Salsoul Records, took a shot before it ultimately landed in the hands of Larry Levan. Working in Blank Tapes’ old Studio A, on a console without automation, the mix was assembled through painstaking tape splicing. To extend the groove that defines the song, four bars of the groove section were manually edited and repeated to create its now-familiar format. Bob Blank estimated that it took over 60 hours of mixing to finalize the versions that exist today.

The Legendary 12″ Versions
The original 12″ vinyl release of “I Got My Mind Made Up” featured what later became known as the “Disco Version”, running 9:46—marking Larry Levan’s second-ever remix credit! This version has appeared on all subsequent CD releases.

BUT… the flip-side of the 12″ featured a version running 7:11, a mix that has never been repressed or released in digital format—EVER! This makes the original 12″ pressing a sought-after collector’s item.

Chart Success & Lasting Influence
Upon release, “I Got My Mind Made Up” became a major success, spending three non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart, briefly interrupted by Sister Sledge’s “He’s the Greatest Dancer.” It also reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Disco chart, cementing its status as a dancefloor staple.

However, in a tragic turn of events, Salsoul Records removed and destroyed all of their multi-track masters from Blank Tapes in 1985—hundreds of recordings lost forever. Thankfully, some were saved by John Morales, and this master was one of them, preserving its legacy.

The song’s impact has lasted well beyond the disco era. Whether played in classic funk sets, sampled in modern productions, or rediscovered by new generations, “I Got My Mind Made Up” remains one of the most electrifying club anthems ever recorded.

*Vinyl-only

SIDE A:
I Got My Mind Made Up (Special 12 Inch Disco Mix) 9:46

SIDE B:
I Got My Mind Made Up (Special 12 Inch Disco Mix Edit)* 7:11

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1978	I Got My Mind Made Up	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#20
1978	I Got My Mind Made Up	U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	#1
1978	I Got My Mind Made Up	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance / Disco	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Salsoul Records – SG 207
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Indianapolis
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Disco

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Joe Cayre, Ken Cayre, Stan Cayre
Mixed By – Larry Levan
Producer – Bunny Sigler
Written-By – K. Miller*, R. Earl*, S. Miller*

NOTES:
Special 12 Inch Disco Mix
Produced for Bundino 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.

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

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.