Tag: Madonna

April 2, 2014

Marilyn Martin – Possessive Love (German 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988

“Possessive Love” is a song by American singer Marilyn Martin, released as the lead single from her 1988 album This is Serious. The song was written by Patrick Leonard, Madonna and Jai Winding.

When Martin emerged with the duet “Separate Lives” with Phil Collins, Martin signed with Atlantic Records for a two-record deal. Her 1986 self-titled debut album Marilyn Martin peaked at #72 on the Billboard 200, whilst the single “Night Moves” entered the Top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. In 1988, Atlantic released Martin’s second album, This is Serious, which included “Possessive Love” However, the album and its singles did not sell very well, with “Possessive Love” failing to make a chart impact.

“Possessive Love” was written purposely for Martin, at the suggestion to Madonna by Leonard. However the song has also been reputed to have been originally written and demoed by Madonna during the sessions for her 1987 film/soundtrack Who’s That Girl but then got scrapped. The original demo sung by Madonna remains unreleased, and in 1988 the track was given to Martin, who recorded the track with Leonard. Martin’s version features longtime backup singer Donna DeLory. A year later, Martin sang backing vocals for Madonna’s hit 1989 single “Cherish” from her fourth studio album Like a Prayer.

In an exclusive interview with Martin by Breathe Cast writer Timothy Yap, one question spoke of the song, stating “You also got a chance to record an original song by Madonna and Patrick Leonard called “Possessive Love” and you did sing backing vocals for Madonna on her “Like a Prayer” album. How did you get to work with Madonna? What was it like working with her? Are you still in contact with her?” Martin replied “I met Pat Leonard when I began the search for a producer for my second album. He’s the one who approached Madonna with the idea of writing a song for me and she graciously agreed. Pat called me one day while he was working on her “Like a Prayer” album and asked if I would like to come and sing backgrounds… talk about an “Are you kidding?” moment!! She was impressive, to say the least, very in charge. That was the only time I met her.”

SIDE A:
Possessive Love (Extended Version) 6:15
Producer – Michael Verdick, Patrick Leonard
Written-By – Jai Winding, Madonna, Patrick Leonard

SIDE B:
Homeless 3:35
Producer – Jon Astley

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic ‎– 786 591-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

NOTES:
From the Atlantic album “THIS IS SERIOUS”

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
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

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
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

December 9, 2013

Madonna – Express Yourself (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1989

R E Q U E S T

“Express Yourself” is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her fourth studio album Like a Prayer. It was released as the second single from the album on May 9, 1989, by Sire Records. The song was included on the greatest hits compilation albums The Immaculate Collection (1990), and Celebration (2009). “Express Yourself” was the first song that Madonna and producer Stephen Bray collaborated on for Like a Prayer. Written and produced by them, the song was a tribute to American funk and soul band Sly and the Family Stone. The main inspiration behind the song is female empowerment, urging women never to go for second-best and to always express their inner feelings.

“Express Yourself” is an upbeat dance-pop song that features instrumentation from brass, hand claps and drum beats, while the chorus is backed by the sound of saxophone and percussion. The lyrics talk about rejecting material pleasures and only accepting the best for oneself; subtexts are employed throughout the song. “Express Yourself” received positive reviews from critics, who applauded the gender equality message of the song and complimented the song for being a hymn to freedom and encouragement to women and all oppressed minorities. The song was also a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in Canada, Italy and Switzerland and the top five in other nations. It also became Madonna’s sixth number-one hit on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.

*As a bonus I have added the 7″ Remix taken from the US 7″ single.

SIDE A:
Express Yourself (Non-Stop Express Mix) 7:58
Express Yourself (Stop & Go Dubs) 10:50

SIDE B:
Express Yourself (Local Mix) 6:20

The Look Of Love (LP Version) 4:03
Producer, Written-By – atrick Leonard

BONUS TRACK:
Express Yourself (7″ Remix) 4:34

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1989	Express Yourself	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#2
1989	Express Yourself	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	#12
1989	Express Yourself	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire ‎– 0-21225
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Design – Jeri Heiden
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Bob Rosa (tracks: A1 to B1)
Photography By – Herb Ritts
Producer, Written-By – Madonna, Stephen Bray (tracks: A1 to B1)
Programmed By – Fred McFarlane (tracks: A1 to B1)
Remix, Producer [Additional Production], Edited By – Shep Pettibone (tracks: A1 to B1)
Typography [Lettering] – Kama Logan

NOTES:
“Express Yourself” from the Sire LP:
“LIKE A PRAYER”

“The Look Of Love” from the soundtrack LP:
“WHO’s THAT GIRL”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

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

June 27, 2012

Madonna – Golden Girl Mixes (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1990

Another set of great ON-USound megamixes. This time Madonna gets the megamix treatment. A “Classic Megamix” which has appeared on other bootleg singles sometimes reffered to as “Madonna Super Disco Mix”. This megamix is mostly of Madonna’s early 80’s hits. We also get a “New Megamix” which is comprised of the Material Girl’s later 80’s offerings endinding with 1990’s “Vogue”.

Please remember these are unofficial releases so the mastering quality is not always the best. The vinyl transfer contained in this post is probably the best you will ever hear these mixes. Enjoy!!

SIDE A:
New Megamix 12:00
Who’s That Girl
La Issa Bonita
Keep It Together
Like A Prayer
Open Your Heart
Vogue
Express Yourself
Causing A Commotion

SIDE B:
Classic Megamix 10:09
Into The Groove
Lucky Star
Borderline
Holiday
Sidewalk Talk
Like A Virgin
Angel
Material World
Dress You Up

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint (generic)

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ON-USound – GGM 91
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 RPM, Unofficial Release
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Dj Mix [Megamix] – Greg Merriman (Side B)

NOTES:
Track times are incorrect on label.

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

April 5, 2012

Madonna – Angel (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

REQUEST

“Angel” is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her second studio album Like a Virgin. It was released on April 10, 1985 by Sire Records as the third single from the album. Written by Steve Bray and Madonna, it was one of the first songs developed for the project and, according to Madonna, was inspired by a girl who is saved by an angel, and she falls in love with Him. “Angel” was released as a 12″ single with “Into the Groove” in some countries and charted likewise. A music video was initially planned for the release, but was later cancelled. Instead a promotional video comprising clips from her previous videos was released in the United Kingdom.

Musically “Angel” consists of three chord ascending hook, which serves for the verse and chorus. It has vocal harmonies beneath the main chorus and the lyrics repeat the angel-like image of Madonna’s saviour. Critics gave mixed review of the song, with one group denoting it as a classic while the others felt it was sub-par compared to the other Madonna singles. “Angel” became Madonna’s fifth consecutive top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top of its dance charts. It was also able to reach number-one in Australia and the top-five of the charts in Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom. Madonna has performed the song only once, on her Virgin Tour in 1985.

“Burning Up” (Alternate Album Version) is used for the Vinyl edition of Madonna – The First Album and has a duration of 4:48. This version is actually the original album version, before being replaced with the final mix (also used in the video version). This version also appeared as the b-side fof the 7″ and 12″ versions of “Angel” in European markets.

SIDE A:
Angel (Extended Dance Mix) 6:15
Producer – Nile Rodgers
Remix – James Farber, Nile Rodgers
Written-By – Madonna, Stephen Bray

SIDE B:
Burning Up (Alternate Album Version) 4:48
Producer – Reggie Lucas
Written-By – Madonna

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

CHARTS:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985	Angel	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#5
1985	Angel	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks	#5
1985	Angel	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – W 8881 T
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Photography By – Herb Ritts

NOTES:
Side A from the album “Like A Virgin”
Side B from the album “Madonna: The First Album”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi