Tag: Julian Mendelsohn

November 16, 2015

Pet Shop Boys – It’s Alright (The Alternatives) (UK 10″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1989

“It’s Alright” is the 13th single from Pet Shop Boys and was released in the UK by Parlophone Records on 26 June 1989. It reached number 5 in the UK and, as of February 2009, it is the Pet Shop Boys’ 8th best-selling single. The song was originally written and performed by Sterling Void & Paris Brightledge and came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys on a house compilation.

The lyrics list a wide variety of serious political issues in the headlines at the time (“Dictation enforced in Afghanistan, revolution in South Africa taking a stand…”), and then offers the positive message of the title—that on its “timeless wavelength”, “music is our life’s foundation”, it “shall last” and ultimately “succeed all the nations to come”.

On the 10″ single there are additional lyrics with Neil Tennant speaking: “there’s a boy standing by a river, there’s a girl lying with her lover, there’s a statesman standing at a crossroads, there’s a soldier polishing his gun”.

SIDE A:
It’s Alright 4:44

SIDE B:
It’s Alright (Extended Dance Mix) 10:30

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone ‎– 10R 6220
Format: Vinyl, 10″, Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Jun 1989
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve Designed By] – Mark Farrow
Engineer – Julian Mendelsohn, Stephen Lipson
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn
Percussion – Danny Cummings
Producer – Pet Shop Boys, Stephen Lipson, Trevor Horn
Vocals [Additional] – Tessa Niles
Written-By – Sterling Void

NOTES:
“Limited edition contains free poster”

“These two alternative versions of It’s Alright were recorded in January, 1989 and are available only on this limited edition ten-inch disc.”

Designed at 3a.

Find the 10″ on DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

July 22, 2015

Gene Loves Jezebel – The Motion Of Love (Limited Edition UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

REQUEST

“The Motion Of Love” is a single by British rock band Gene Loves Jezebel released in January 1988 from their fourth album,
The House of Dolls.”The Motion Of Love” was the band’s biggest UK hit single, reaching number 56. In the US the song
peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the UK a special limited edition double vinyl gatefold 12″ was released which included several b-side tracks and a Julian
Mendelsohn remix of “The Motion Of Love”.

SIDE A:
The Motion Of Love (Jezebel Mix) 7:00
Mixed By – Scott Litt
Producer – Jimmy Iovine
Remix – Julian Mendelsohn

SIDE B:
A Fresh Slice 3:13

SIDE C:
Bugg’s Bruises 3:59
Mixed By – Don Smith

SIDE D:
Vagabond (A New Adventure) 4:00
Producer – Thom Panunzio

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	The Motion Of Love	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#87

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Beggars Banquet ‎– BEG 192TD
Format: 2 × Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Gatefold sleeve
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Goth Rock

CREDITS:
Producer – Deli Babies, The (tracks: B to D)

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

February 19, 2015

The Belle Stars – Sign Of The Times (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983

“Sign of the Times” is a song by English pop/new wave band The Belle Stars, released as the lead single from the band’s only self-titled studio album. The single was the fourth single from their only album, and their seventh single overall. “Sign of the Times” was the band’s first single that was an original song since 1981’s Another Latin Love Song. Its lyrics describe the band explaining how they feel their lover is unfaithful of their love, hence the lyric “You say you love me, but want success.” The single was the band’s first to make it into the top 10, reaching #3 in the UK singles chart. In the US “Sign Of The Times” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 7, 1983 peaking at #75 while on the dance chart the single peaked at #43.

SIDE A:
Sign Of The Times (Remixed Extended 12″ Version) 5:39
Engineer – Julian Mendelsohn, Pete Hammond, Phil Chapman, Phil Harding
Mixed By – Nigel Green
Producer – Pete Collins*

SIDE B:
Madness 3:18
Engineer, Producer – Brian Tench

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1983	Sign Of The Times	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#75
1983	Sign Of The Times	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#43

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎– 0-29657
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Written-By – Hirst*, Matthias*, Parsons*, Shone*, Joyce*, Owen*, Barker*

NOTES:
From the LP “THE BELLE STARS”

Find the 12″ On DISCOGS

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

January 22, 2015

Elton John/Millie Jackson – Act Of War (Remix Number Two) (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

“Act Of War” is a 1985 single with lyrics by Elton John’s longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, this song uses war as a metaphor for a stormy interpersonal relationship. It was the era of the Cold War, when the United States and Russia had nuclear weapons ready for attack. Explosions appear in the song to encourage the theme, and the video opens with the United States president answering his phone near the “button” which would supposedly launch the missiles. The jelly beans he eats are a reference to Ronald Reagan, the real president at the time who enjoyed the treats. It’s a catchy and upbeat tune from a resurgent Elton John, perhaps with an anti-nuclear sentiment similar to “99 Luftballons,” but it couldn’t get traction in America, where the song was ignored. “Act Of War” was a top 40 hit in the UK reaching #32.

Elton duets with soul singer Millie Jackson on this song. Jackson is an R&B star well known in the black community, but just under the mainstream radar. Like Tina Turner, who was first offered the duet but turned it down, Jackson has impressive looks and a stunning voice, and she could have crossed over to the Pop world had things gone a bit differently. In an interview with Millie Jackson, she explained: “Didn’t happen. Don’t care. In America I think in order to be a pop star you’ve got to have management. And I always managed myself. I was never looking to become that crossover pop star. Let white folks cross over to me. I call myself the poor people’s queen. Because once you get to the top there’s only one way to go.”

“Act Of War” was released only as a single, but later it was added to Elton’s “Ice on Fire” CD, having been recorded the same year. The song also features guitar by Nik Kershaw.

Several remixes were released for “Act Of War” this UK only limited edition contains exclusive remixes by Australian remixer/producer Julian Mendelsohn.

SIDE A:
Act Of War (Part 5) Vocal 7:30

SIDE B:
Act Of War (Part 6) Instrumental 4:20

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: The Rocket Record Company ‎– EJSR 812
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Limited Edition
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Remix –Julian Mendelsohn (tracks: A), Stuart Epps (tracks: B)
Written-By – Bernie Taupin, Elton John

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi