Tag: John “Jellybean” Benitez

Corey Hart – Dancing With My Mirror (Canada 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the mid-1980s, Canadian pop star Corey Hart had already carved out an impressive career. With the global smash Sunglasses at Night (1984) and the stirring anthem Never Surrender (1985), Hart became one of the most recognizable new voices of the decade. In 1986, he released his third studio album Fields of Fire, a record that further showcased his evolution as both a songwriter and producer.

The third single lifted from the album was “Dancing With My Mirror,” released in early 1987. Produced by Corey Hart and Phil Chapman, the track finds Hart combining his signature emotional intensity with a sleek pop-rock sound tailored for the late ‘80s airwaves. It’s a song full of energy and reflection—literally so, as the lyrics deal with confronting one’s own image, both physically and metaphorically.

Chart-wise, “Dancing With My Mirror” saw moderate success. In Canada, it reached #33 on April 18, 1987, while in the U.S. it peaked at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 two weeks earlier, on April 4. While not among Hart’s biggest hits, the single demonstrated his consistency as a chart presence through the decade.

Musically, the track blends driving guitars, bright synthesizers, and Hart’s trademark passionate vocal delivery. The song’s theme—dancing alone, facing your own reflection—captures the mix of confidence, vulnerability, and theatrical flair that defined Hart’s best work. It’s both playful and introspective, making it stand apart from the more straightforward pop ballads he was also known for.

Looking back, Fields of Fire was a pivotal album in Hart’s catalog. It balanced arena-ready anthems with moments of vulnerability, and “Dancing With My Mirror” perfectly reflects that balance. Though not as widely remembered today as some of his earlier hits, it’s a track that showcases Hart’s ambition, artistry, and ability to translate personal reflection into pop-rock energy.

For fans exploring Corey Hart beyond the obvious staples, this single is a rewarding listen—a snapshot of a rising artist navigating fame, identity, and creativity in the mid-‘80s.

MIRROR 1
Dancin’ With My Mirror (LP Version) 4:17

Dancin’ With My Mirror (Extended Version) 4:56
Remix – C. HartP. Northfield

MIRROR 2
Dancin’ With My Mirror (Instrumental Mix) 4:34
Remix – C. HartP. Northfield

Angry Young Man (Instrumental Mix) 5:06
Producer – R.Cannata
Remix – “Jellybean” Benitez*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 Dancing With My Mirror U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #88

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Aquarius Records (3) – AQ 12025
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: Canada
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Remixed At – Le Studio

Album is 100% MAPL content

On the sleeve, is written Angry Young Man (Extended Mix) instead of (Instrumental Mix)

Album version from the LP “FIELDS OF FIRE”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for 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-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.


Bobby “O” – I’m So Hot For You (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1982

“I’m So Hot For You” was the debut 12″ single release by an American record producer, indie record label owner, songwriter, and musician. Bobby Orlando (aka Bobby’O). He is regarded as an innovator in the Hi-NRG genre for developing his signature sound, using a “powerful beat” and “new wave-style” vocals with the help of a “heavy [synthesizer] bass”, synthesizers, piano, guitars, cowbells his style was referred to as Boystown or just simply gay disco.

“I’m So Hot For You” peaked at #17 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart the track was remixed by FunHouse DJ supreme – John “Jellybean” Benitez.

Despite being known as a hyper-macho, incredibly cocky, rampantly homophobic ex-boxer who made gay disco. Bobby Orlando made his strange mark on LGBTQ+ music even producing hits for gay icons Divine, and Pet Shop Boys. Bobby Orlando became a legend in the ’80s through many disco and Hi-NRG records released on his independent label, O Records.

“I’m So Hot For You” is currently used in the Gay nightclub scene in the Netflix original series “Eric”.

A music video was not filmed for this release.

SIDE A:
I’m So Hot For You 5:13

SIDE B:
Still Hott 4 U 4:06

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1982 I’m So Hot For You U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #17

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: “O” Records – OR 718
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop, Disco

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Manufactured
and Distributed by Vanguard Recording Society, Inc.

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 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

**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.



The Romantics – One In A Million (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1983

“One in a Million” was the third single taken from the fourth studio LP “In Heat” by American band the Romantics. “One in a Million” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 25, 1984, peaking at #37 on April 7, 1984, after spending twelve weeks on the survey.

The music video for “One In A Million” was directed by Oley Sassone known for The Fantastic Four (1994), Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991) and Xena: Warrior Princess (1995).

SIDE A:
One In A Million (Dance Mix) 5:28

SIDE B:
One In A Million (Instrumental) 3:33

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1984 One In A Million U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #37

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Nemperor Records – 4Z9-04967, Nemperor Records – 4Z9 04967
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Taken from the LP “IN HEAT”

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 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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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



Olivia Newton-John – Toughen Up (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986

NEW Meticulous 2023 Transfer!
NEW Audio Restoration!

“Toughen Up” was the second single taken from the thirteenth studio album “Soul Kiss” by Australian singer Olivia Newton-John on MCA Records. Written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten (What’s Love Got To Do With It) “Toughen Up” had originally been offered to Tina Turner but was rejected.

“Toughen Up” failed to make a dent on the U.S. Billboard charts but was quite popular in dance clubs due in part to a 12″ dance remix by John “Jellybean” Benitez. “Toughen Up” did chart in Australia peaking at #69. The song includes a guitar solo by Grammy-winning guitarist Lee Ritenour.

The music video opens showing a topless Olivia wearing riding pants and holding a riding crop. In the video directed by David Mallet Olivia plays the part of a headmistress for a girl’s school where she teaches her female students to “Toughen Up” against the men that have done them wrong.

Neither track has appeared on CD or digitally.

SIDE A:
Toughen Up (Dance Remix) 8:04

SIDE B:
Toughen Up (Instrumental Remix) 5:16

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23606
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Reggae, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Management By Roger Davies Management Inc.
From The Olivia Newton-John LP “SOUL KISS”

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 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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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