Burning The Ground Exclusive
In the mid-90s, when Eurodance and pop covers were dominating the charts, an unexpected revival of a 70s classic found its way back onto dance floors—this time with a glossy, Hi-NRG sheen.
British singer and former firefighter William Newton Myers—better known as Newton—stepped into the spotlight in 1994 with his debut single, a remake of Sky High, originally recorded by Jigsaw in 1975.
Produced by the hitmaking team of Mike Stock and Matt Aitken—best known for their work as part of the Stock Aitken Waterman empire—this 90s version of “Sky High” trades the original’s orchestral drama for a bright, synth-driven dance arrangement tailor-made for clubs and radio alike.
Interestingly, what began as a one-off studio project had deeper ties to the original than most covers. The track actually features vocals by Des Dyer, the original voice behind the 1975 hit. He even appears in the music video, bridging the gap between eras. Following the single’s success, Myers himself was brought forward as the face—and voice—of the project, giving it a consistent identity moving forward.
And success it was. “Sky High” climbed to No. 8 in Australia in April 1995, earning a gold certification and proving that a well-produced cover could still capture the public’s imagination nearly two decades after the original’s release.
Newton would go on to build a career largely centered around reimagining familiar songs for a new generation, finding particular success in markets like Australia, the UK, and Brazil. His polished vocal style and accessible dance productions made him a reliable presence in 90s pop.
In 1998, he released his debut album, Sweetest Secret, further cementing his place in the era’s pop landscape.
While purists may always favor the original, Newton’s “Sky High” stands as a perfect example of 90s nostalgia done right—respectful of its source, yet updated with enough energy and style to feel fresh all over again. For many club-goers of the time, this was their version—and it still soars.
SIDE A:
Sky High (Radio Edit) 3:58
Engineer [Mix Engineer] – Peter Day
Mixed By – Seth & Jess Thethub
Written-By – C. Scott, D. Dyer
Sky High (Hiza Kite Mix) 6:48
Mixed By – Mobius Loop
Written-By – C. Scott, D. Dyer
SIDE B:
Sky High (Kaiser Height Mix) 6:28
Mixed By – The Red Baron
Written-By – C. Scott, D. Dyer
Up, Down Round & Round 3:51
Mixed By – Neon (15)
Written-By – J. Gingell, M. Stock, M. Aitken
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Report) | #8 | 1994 |
| UK Singles | #56 | 1994 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Critique – 01624 15536-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre: Electronic
Style: Euro House
CREDITS:
- Engineer – Peter Day
- Engineer [Assisted By] – Dean Murphy
- Musician – J. Gingell*, M. Stock, M. Aitken*
- Producer [Uncredited] – Stock/Aitken
NOTES:
The label mistakenly credits Peter Day as the producer, but the correct producer and Peter Day’s actual role are listed above.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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
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