Burning The Ground Exclusive
“Pure energy…”
Bursting onto the late-’80s synthpop and freestyle scene with a sound that was futuristic, funky, and fueled by digital obsession, Information Society made their mark with the infectious 1988 hit “What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy).” Blending electronic dance rhythms with sci-fi aesthetics and a now-iconic sample from Star Trek, the track became an enduring staple of club culture and pop radio alike.
🚀 A New Wave of Synth
Formed in Minneapolis and later based in New York, Information Society fused the sharp, sequenced sensibility of synthpop with the bass-heavy grooves of freestyle and electro. Produced by Fred Maher and Paul Robb, “What’s On Your Mind” showcases the band’s flair for melodic hooks layered over state-of-the-art digital programming—cutting-edge for its time.
The track prominently features vocal samples of Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock, licensed from Star Trek, delivering the phrase “pure energy,” which gave the song its subtitle. It was an early example of a pop hit using prominent sampling not just as texture, but as a hook.
📈 Chart Success
“What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)” hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to #1 on the Dance Club Songs chart in 1988. It marked the band’s commercial breakthrough and remains their signature song. The track also helped establish Tommy Boy Records as a label at the forefront of electronic dance music in the U.S.
🎧 Timeless Techno-Romanticism
At its core, “What’s On Your Mind” is about communication breakdown in relationships—wrapped in shiny digital armor. It’s cold, clinical, and emotional all at once. With its clever use of sci-fi sampling and dancefloor drive, it captured the moment when synthpop crossed into the mainstream without losing its cool.
💿 About This Promo
While I’ve previously featured the commercial US 12″ single, this Special Radio Promo offers something a bit more exclusive—two rare radio edits that were originally scattered across various formats, including cassette singles and promotional CDs.
This promo was never commercially released, pressed in limited quantities strictly for radio station use. Designed to boost airplay, it features tailored edits that are harder to find and a must-have for collectors and completists alike.
This promo was issued in a TB 911 commercial retail picture sleeve with a cut in the corner; the back cover lists the tracks incorrectly.
SIDE A:
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Pure Energy Mix) 4:35
Mixed By – Fred Maher, Roey Shamir
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Pure Energy Radio Edit) 3:35
Edited By – Chep Nunez*
Mixed By – Fred Maher, Roey Shamir
SIDE B:
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Club Radio Edit) 3:19
Edited By – Chep Nunez, The Latin Rascals
Mixed By – “Little” Louie Vega, Roman Ricardo
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Club Mix) 7:58
Edited By – The Latin Rascals
Mixed By – “Little” Louie Vega*, Roman Ricardo
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #3 |
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #10 |
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 |
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Maxi-Singles Sales | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Tommy Boy – TB 911 PRO
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Retail Sleeve
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Arranged By, Programmed By – Fred Maher, Paul Robb
- Producer – Fred Maher
- Written-By – K. Valaquen*, P. Robb*
NOTES:
Special radio Promo
Tracks are listed incorrectly on the sleeve.
From the album “INFORMATION SOCIETY”
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
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