Tag: Mark McGuire

Dead Or Alive – I’ll Save You All My Kisses (Japan 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Originally posted the US 12″ on July 20, 2012

🔥This post features a brand-new, meticulously restored 2025 transfer, giving this sparkling gem the clarity, punch, and presence it deserves. Audiophiles and fans alike—get ready to hear this one like never before.

💋 “My kisses are exclusive—no one can afford them.” 💋

Today’s Pride Month selection whirls us back to 1987, into the glitter-drenched world of one of the boldest, most flamboyant acts of the era—Dead or Alive. I’m thrilled to feature their underappreciated but wildly addictive single, “I’ll Save You All My Kisses,” the fourth release from their Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know album.

While it didn’t dominate the charts like “You Spin Me Round,” this track has long been a fan favorite—a Hi-NRG love letter draped in sequins and synths. Produced by the unstoppable Stock Aitken Waterman, it’s packed with hard-edged drum machines, shimmering layers of synth, and Pete Burns’ signature theatrical delivery.

💿 This 12″ single (Japan release) is all about the drama:

The Long Wet Sloppy Kiss Mix — stretched to 7:10 of pulsing, dancefloor perfection.

The Sonia Mezumbda Memorial Mix — a tighter, high-energy edit clocking in at 5:19 (edited by Mark McGuire).

A quick word on that mysterious mix name:
According to fan lore from the now-defunct Right Stuff forum, Sonia Mezumbda—likely real name Sonya Mazunda—was said to have done backing vocals for Frankie Goes To Hollywood in 1982. Whether she passed away or the title was simply a tribute, it’s unclear—but it adds a bittersweet edge to this already emotionally charged track.

And of course, there’s Pete. 💄
More than a frontman, he was an icon of queer defiance. Gender-blurring, razor-sharp, and impossible to ignore, Pete Burns brought a fierce confidence to everything he did. He didn’t ask for permission—he demanded attention. “I’ll Save You All My Kisses” isn’t just a club-ready track—it’s a statement. It says: I know my worth, and you better be special if you’re going to get close.

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Pete’s unapologetic self-expression was a beacon. And during Pride Month, this kind of synth-drenched empowerment hits especially hard. This track is about passion, power, and the pleasure of owning your narrative.

🎧 So cue up the strobes, turn it all the way up, and strut like you’re wearing six-inch platforms and a crown made of mirror shards. Because these kisses are couture, darling—and not everyone’s on the guest list.

SIDE A:
I’ll Save You All My Kisses (The Long Wet Sloppy Kiss Mix) 7:10

SIDE B:
I’ll Save You All My Kisses (The Sonia Mezumbda Memorial Mix) 5:19
Edited By – Mark McGuire

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 12・3P-834
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Stereo
Country: Japan
Released: Aug 26, 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
From the LP “Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know”

Includes OBI, and insert

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.


Brother Beyond – The Harder I Try (Germany 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988

“The Harder I Try” is a single by British boyband Brother Beyond. It was released in 1988 and is considered their breakthrough single.

In 1988, top British producers Stock Aitken & Waterman auctioned off their services for the Young Variety Club of Great Britain charity. Label EMI won the auction, and British boyband Brother Beyond was selected by Pete Waterman to be produced by the trio. The group had met Waterman previously and the producer liked the band.

Brother Beyond was by then a struggling pop act, with their first four singles only making the lower reaches of the UK top 75 singles chart. EMI saw this as their much-needed breakthrough and agreed with Waterman on producing the group.

The resulting song, “The Harder I Try”, had a distinctive Motown-esque sound, and sampled the drum intro to The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart of Mine”. When released in July 1988, it became an instant success, peaking at #2 in the UK for two weeks, becoming the band’s best-selling single. The song was kept off from the top spot by Yazz’s “The Only Way Is Up” in the first week and by Phil Collins’ “A Groovy Kind of Love” in the second week. The single topped the Irish charts and was mildly successful when released worldwide.

As a result, of the group’s success with the song, EMI asked the producers to write and produce another track for the band, resulting in the song “He Ain’t No Competition”, a song that again featured a Motown sound. It was released as the band’s next single and it became another big hit for the group, peaking at #6.

Brother Beyond’s album Get Even had by the time of the release of the single already been released in Japan. It was repackaged for its release in the rest of the world, including the two Stock Aitken & Waterman-produced tracks, and omitting two of the band’s self-penned songs from the original release. This version was released in November 1988, and the album was also a top 10 hit.

SIDE A:
The Harder I Try (Extended) 6:07
Engineer – Mark McGuire
Mixed By – Mixmaster Pete Hammond*
Producer, Written-By – Stock/Aitken/Waterman*

SIDE B:
Remember Me (Extended) 6:48
Engineer, Mixed By – Kenny Jones (3)
Producer, Mixed By –Brother Beyond

The Harder I Try (Instrumental) 3:45
Engineer – Mark McGuire
Mixed By – Mixmaster Pete Hammond*
Producer, Written-By – Stock/Aitken/Waterman*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone ‎– 060 20 2792 6, Parlophone ‎– 20 2792 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

NOTES:
Made in EEC
Printed in Holland

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp:
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 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:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

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

Carol Hitchcock – Get Ready (Extended Remix) (Australia 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

“Get Ready” is a Motown song written by Smokey Robinson, which resulted in two hit records for the label: a U.S. No. 29 version by The Temptations in 1966, and a U.S. No. 4 version by Rare Earth in 1970.

In mid-1987 Australian singer and actress, Carol Hitchcock had a top 20 hit on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart with her cover version of the song7. It also peaked in the top 60 in the United Kingdom and top 50 in New Zealand. In 1985 Hitchcock had acted in the TV series, Prisoner.

According to Hitchcock Stock Aitken Waterman recommended the track for her and she felt that “they were so wonderful to work with.”

As a bonus track, I have added the Australian only “Earth To Moonbase Mix” which was released on a separate Australia 12″.

SIDE A:
Get Ready (Extended Remix) 7:40
Remix [Mixmaster] – Phil Harding
Written-By – W. Robinson*

SIDE B:
More Than Words Can Say 3:59
Mixed By – Mark McGuire
Written-By – Stock-Aitken-Waterman*

BONUS TRACK:
Get Ready (Earth To Moonbase Mix) 8:12
Remix [Mixmaster] – Phil Harding
Written-By – W. Robinson*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mushroom ‎– X-13281
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: Australia
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design –John Warwicker
Engineer – Jamie Bromfield, Mark McGuire
Lacquer Cut By – W*
Photography By – Nick Knight
Producer – Stock Aitken Waterman*

NOTES:
A Stock Aitken Waterman Production
Recorded at PWL Studios, London, UK
Made in Australia

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp:
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 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:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

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