Tag: Goh Hotoda

April 17, 2025

Janet Jackson – Alright (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

12″ Single Released: March 4, 1990

“Alright” was the fourth single released from Janet Jackson’s groundbreaking Rhythm Nation 1814 album, and it brought with it a joyful, funky energy that stood out among the album’s harder-edged, socially conscious tracks. With bright horns, a classic swing vibe, and Janet’s signature layered vocals, “Alright” is a celebration of love and positivity wrapped in irresistible grooves.

The 12″ release is particularly special—packed with six different mixes, including standout work by remix legend Shep Pettibone, this record is a true gem for collectors and remix fans alike. Some of these versions, as far as I know, are vinyl-only, and getting them cleaned up properly was a labor of love.

I spent three days working on this 12″—most of the time went into visually removing clicks, pops, and other anomalies from the audio. It’s a meticulous process, but one I’m passionate about, and the end result is something I’m really proud of. In fact, I took most of yesterday off from posting just to focus entirely on this record.

I hope you enjoy the results as much as I do.

The song itself reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Janet’s fourth consecutive #1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Its iconic video—directed by Julien Temple—was a loving tribute to 1930s musicals, featuring cameos from legends like Cab Calloway, Cyd Charisse, and the Nicholas Brothers. Stylish, timeless, and loaded with charm, “Alright” remains a highlight of Janet’s incredible career.

Whether you’re hearing these mixes for the first time or rediscovering them, I think you’ll agree—Janet sounds more than alright. She sounds phenomenal.

SIDE A:
Alright (12″ R&B Mix) 7:18
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Heavy D.*

Alright (7″ R&B Mix) 4:34

Alright (A Cappella) 3:28

SIDE B:
Alright (12″ House Mix) 8:27
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Heavy D.*

Alright (Hip House Dub) 6:36
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Heavy D.*

Alright (House Dub) 5:58

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1990	Alright	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#4
1990	Alright	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs	#1
1990	Alright	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales	#2
1990	alright	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs	#2

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12351, A&M Records – SP 12351
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Mar 4, 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: House, Hip-House, New Jack Swing, Contemporary R&B

CREDITS:

Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Jackson*, Jam*, Lewis*
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Jackson*, Jam*, Lewis*
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis
Co-producer – Janet Jackson
Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Goh Hotoda
Executive-Producer – John McClain
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Percussion – Terry Lewis
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Producer [Post-Production], Remix – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Alan Friedman, Fred McFarlane
Written-By – James Harris III, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis

NOTES:
From the LP “Rhythm Nation 1814”

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.

April 8, 2025

The Pointer Sisters – Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1978, the Pointer Sisters had begun an eleven-year association with producer Richard Perry—first through his Planet Records label and later continuing their collaboration under RCA Records. During this period, they amassed eleven Top 40 hits, solidifying their place as one of the most successful vocal groups of the era. Their 1983 multi-platinum album Break Out was a major career highlight, producing four Top Ten hits, including a remixed version of “I’m So Excited,” which had first appeared on their 1982 album So Excited!. However, after this peak, the group’s commercial success gradually declined, leading to their departure from RCA in 1988.

In March 1989, reports emerged that the Pointer Sisters were negotiating with Motown Records—a label that had passed on signing them in 1971 but had later become home to original member Bonnie Pointer when she left for a solo career in 1977. By May 1989, the group officially signed with Motown, with June Pointer expressing their hope to help restore the label’s former glory. Unfortunately, neither their album Right Rhythm nor their Motown tenure proved to be the revival they had hoped for.

The first single from Right Rhythm, “Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It),” was released in May 1990. The song was recorded at Prince’s famed Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, adding a layer of Minneapolis funk flavor to its polished R&B sound. The song, an upbeat R&B track, managed to reach #36 on the Billboard R&B charts but failed to break into the mainstream. The track was remixed by the legendary Shep Pettibone, known for his work with Madonna, Janet Jackson, and many other top artists of the era, adding a club-ready edge that made the song a favorite on dance floors despite its modest chart performance. The follow-up single, the ballad “After You,” also struggled to find a wide audience. A third single, a remixed version of “Insanity,” fared slightly better, peaking at #62 on the R&B charts and achieving a more notable #11 placement on the Billboard dance charts. Despite the group’s best efforts, Right Rhythm would ultimately be their only album with Motown.

While Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) may not have been a major hit, it remains a notable entry in the Pointer Sisters’ discography as part of their attempt to reinvent themselves in a changing musical landscape. It serves as a testament to their enduring artistry and willingness to take creative risks even as the music industry evolved around them.

Do you remember hearing “Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It)” when it was released? Share your thoughts in the comments!

SIDE A:
Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (Radio Edit) 4:03

Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (Shep’s Advice Mix) 6:24

SIDE B:
Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) (Dub ‘Do Your Own Thing’ Mix) 4:51

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1990	Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It)	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#36

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – MOT-4661
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: May 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: House, Soul, Garage House

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Engineer – Goh Hotoda
Executive-Producer – Debbie Sandridge, The Pointer Sisters*
Producer – Levi Seacer, Jr.*
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Donald Robinson, Tina Harris (3)

NOTES:
Recorded at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassan, MN

From the LP “Right Rhythm”

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.

March 31, 2025

Duran Duran – All She Wants Is (US 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1988, Duran Duran had moved well beyond their early-’80s new wave roots. Their album Big Thing signaled a shift toward a more experimental, club-oriented sound, and All She Wants Is, one of its standout singles, exemplified this transformation.

Released as the second single from Big Thing, All She Wants Is was one of the band’s most unconventional and daring tracks. Stripping away the glossy pop sheen of their earlier hits, the song embraced a darker, industrial-infused groove inspired by the house and dance music trends of the late ’80s. Produced by Duran Duran alongside Jonathan Elias and Daniel Abraham, it featured pulsing beats, distorted vocals, and an eerie, hypnotic atmosphere that set it apart from anything they had done before.

Despite its departure from their signature sound, All She Wants Is proved successful. It reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., reaffirming the band’s ability to evolve while still making compelling music. On the U.S. Billboard Dance chart, it soared to #1, thanks in part to Shep Pettibone’s remixes, which amplified its club appeal. The song’s hypnotic rhythm and haunting chorus made it a favorite on dance floors, while its surreal music video—directed by Dean Chamberlain—added to its mystique with stop-motion animation and eerie lighting effects.

Beyond its chart performance, All She Wants Is showcased Duran Duran’s willingness to push creative boundaries—a trait that has helped them stay relevant for decades. Even today, the track remains a striking entry in their discography, a bold electronic departure that still captures the essence of what made Duran Duran one of the most exciting bands of their era.

For fans of late-’80s dance music and darker, edgier pop, All She Wants Is remains a fascinating listen—proof that Duran Duran was far more than just their early MTV-era hits. The track was ahead of its time and still sounds fresh today.

Official Remixes

The U.S. 12″ promo featured five remixes by Shep Pettibone, including the exclusive Euro House Dub II, which remains a vinyl-only track. Below is a breakdown of the various official remixes, with mix titles varying slightly by country:

45 Version / 7″ Version – Slight early fades of the album version, varying by release but only a few seconds shorter.
Euro House Mix / Euro Dub Mix – The same vocal house remix.
Euro House Dub I / House Dub – Identical instrumental house remixes.
Euro House Dub II – Exclusive to the U.S. promo 12″.
U.S. Master Mix – An electro/freestyle-inspired vocal remix.
U.S. Master Dub / Latino Dub – Identical instrumental remixes.

*Vinyl-only exclusive

SIDE A:
All She Wants Is (U.S. Master Mix) 7:21
All She Wants Is (U.S. Master Dub) 6:45

SIDE B:
All She Wants Is (Euro House Mix) 7:35
All She Wants Is (Euro House Dub I) 7:09
All She Wants Is (Euro House Dub II)* 5:44

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	All She Wants Is	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#22
1988	All She Wants Is	U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	#24
1988	All She Wants Is	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – SPRO-79482, Capitol Records – SPRO-79483
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Gold sleeve
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Composed By – Taylor*, Rhodes*, Lebon*
Edited By – Chep Nunez*
Engineer [Remix] – Goh Hotoda
Producer – Daniel Abraham, Duran Duran, Jonathan Elias
Remix – Shep Pettibone

NOTES:
Issued in plain white, silver or gold generic die-cut jacket with info sticker.

Mix titles on sticker vary slightly from what is on the labels; the tracklist here is a combination of the two.

Info on sticker:
New Mixes by Shep Pettibone
Promotional use only. Not for sale.

Info on labels:
Remixed by Shep Pettibone for MasterMix Productions.
(Original version appears on the LP “Big Thing” C1-90958)

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.

June 22, 2023

Cathy Dennis – Touch Me (All Night Long) (US Cassette Maxi-Single)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1991

“Touch Me (All Night Long)” is another song that packed the dance floor in many gay clubs in America the song was so popular that it reached the #1 spot on the U.S. Dance chart in the spring of 1991 “.

“Touch Me (All Night Long)” is a song originally released in 1984 by American singer Fonda Rae. In 1991 British singer and songwriter Cathy Dennis covered the song, and released it on January 14, 1991, as the third single from her debut studio album, Move to This (1990). Her version contains some rewritten lyrics in the verses. It was a number-one hit on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Dennis performed the song on the season three episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, “A Night to Remember”, in 1993.

“Touch Me (All Night Long)” peaked at number one in Zimbabwe, number nine in Canada, number five in the United Kingdom and number three in Ireland. In the United States, “Touch Me” reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week of May 18, 1991. In addition, “Touch Me” spent one week at the top of the US Dance Club Songs chart in March 1991, becoming her biggest hit in that country.

Dolby B NR was used for this transfer.

SIDE A:
Touch Me (All Night Long) (Club Mix) 7:24
Touch Me (All Night Long) (All Night Long Mix) 6:51
Touch Me (All Night Long) (7″ Mix) 3:32

SIDE B:
Touch Me (All Night Long) (Touch This) 7:53
Touch Me (All Night Long) (Rhodesapella) 4:05
Touch Me (All Night Long) (Dub All Night Long) 5:27

CASSETTE GRADE:
Sleeve: Near Mint
Cassette: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1991	Touch Me (All Night Long)	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#2
1991	Touch Me (All Night Long)	U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs	#1
1991	Touch Me (All Night Long)	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – 879 467-4
Format: Cassette, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, Garage House

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Keyboards – Peter Schwartz
Mixed By – Goh Hotoda, Shep Pettibone
Producer – Cathy Dennis, Phil Bodger, Shep Pettibone

NOTES:
From the LP “MOVE TO THIS”

Buy the Cassette at DISCOGS

CASSETTE TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Cassette Deck: Nakamichi BX-300 Discrete 3-Head Cassette Deck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp Line In Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
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:
Cassette transfer was recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

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