Tag: Disco Friday

May 9, 2025

Blondie – Heart Of Glass (US 12″) (1978)

Burning The Ground DISCO Exclusive

As we spin into another Disco Friday, we shine the glitterball on one of the most iconic genre-crossing tracks of the late ’70s—Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Released in 1979, this shimmering hybrid of new wave cool and disco heat wasn’t just a stylistic curveball—it was a game-changer.

Produced by Mike Chapman, “Heart of Glass” was Blondie’s bold leap from punk-infused power pop into the throbbing lights of the dancefloor. Originally written as a slower, reggae-tinged track titled “Once I Had a Love,” the band revamped it with a four-on-the-floor beat, swirling synths, and Debbie Harry’s icy, detached vocal that would become instantly iconic. It wasn’t just a hit—it was a revolution.

Some fans of Blondie’s CBGB-era grit were shocked, even outraged, by the shift. But the gamble paid off. “Heart of Glass” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 their first in the U.S., and topped charts in the UK, Canada, and Australia. Suddenly, it was cool for punk kids to dance.

Today’s feature is the 12″ Disco Version, running nearly 6 minutes of slick, extended grooves and hypnotic instrumental breakdowns—a must-have for any serious vinyl spinner. Released on Chrysalis Records, this version turned dance floors upside down and made Blondie club royalty.

More than 40 years later, “Heart of Glass” still pulses with life, bridging genres and generations with effortless glamour. Whether you’re a punk, pop kid, or disco devotee—this track belongs on your turntable.

SIDE A:
Heart Of Glass 5:51

SIDE B:
Heart Of Glass (Instrumental) 5:17

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1979	Heart Of Glass	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1979	Heart Of Glass	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	#44
1979	Heart Of Glass	U.S. Billboard Disco Top 80	#58

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – CDS-2275
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Terre Haute Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Disco, New Wave

CREDITS:

Producer – Mike Chapman
Written-By – C. Stein*, D. Harry*

NOTES:
A: From The Chrysalis Album “Parallel Lines” CHR-1192

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject 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.

May 2, 2025

Earth Wind & Fire with The Emotions – Boogie Wonderland (US 12″) (1979)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

🔥 “Dance, boogie wonderland…” 🔥

Few disco anthems are as instantly recognizable—or as joyfully infectious—as “Boogie Wonderland.” Released in 1979, this iconic collaboration between Earth, Wind & Fire and The Emotions marked a high point of late-’70s dancefloor magic. A swirling, soulful, full-throttle burst of disco energy, the track remains a gold standard of the genre.

Written by Jon Lind and Allee Willis (the songwriting duo also responsible for “September”), “Boogie Wonderland” pulses with vibrant horns, lush strings, and an insistent four-on-the-floor beat that refuses to let go. It’s all elevated by the dynamic, gospel-tinged vocals of The Emotions—fresh off their own smash “Best of My Love”—who bring a raw emotional edge to the euphoria.

Although Earth, Wind & Fire were known for their spiritual, funk-influenced sound, “Boogie Wonderland” saw them fully embrace the disco movement without losing their signature depth. The result? A smash hit that climbed to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the US Hot Soul Singles chart. In the UK, it peaked at #4, becoming one of their most beloved international hits.

The 12″ promo release featured an extended version clocking in at 8:21—a DJ’s dream, with a longer instrumental break perfect for mixing and building a groove. It’s this mix that became a staple in clubs and continues to be sought after by crate diggers and dance music purists alike.

“Boogie Wonderland” isn’t just a song—it’s a mood, a celebration, a glittering time capsule from the peak of the disco era. It’s also a testament to the genre’s power to unite people on the dance floor through rhythm, release, and radiant joy.

If you’re feeling down, if the world feels too heavy—just drop the needle on this one. There’s healing in the beat. There’s salvation in the sweat. Welcome to Boogie Wonderland.

SIDE A:
Boogie Wonderland (Special Disco Version) 8:22

SIDE B:
Boogie Wonderland (Instrumental) (Special Disco Version) 6:17

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1979	Boogie Wonderland	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#6
1979	Boogie Wonderland	U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Songs	#2
1979	Boogie Wonderland	U.S. Billboard Hot Disco Top 80	#14

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ARC (3) – 23-10950, Columbia – 23-10950
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo, Pitman Press
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Disco

CREDITS:

Arranged By [Strings, Horns] – Ben Wright*
Producer – Al McKay, Maurice White
Written-By – A. Willis*, J. Lind*

NOTES:
From The Arc Lp: “I Am”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
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

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 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

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.