Tag: Rod Temperton

Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986

“Sweet Freedom” is a song by Michael McDonald, and his last Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single’s music video directed by Leslie Libman featured McDonald, along with actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, in the film Running Scared.

In addition to being featured on Running Scared’s soundtrack, the song was featured on the 1986 re-release of McDonald’s 1985 album No Lookin’ Back. The song also features backing vocals by Siedah Garrett.

The track peaked at #7 in the US, #12 in the UK, and #14 in Canada.

The US 12″ contains exclusive mixes “Instrumental” and “Club Mix Edit”.

SIDE A:
Sweet Freedom 8:27
Remix – Bruce Swedien, Dick Rudolph*, Rod Temperton

Sweet Freedom (Instrumental) 9:34
Remix – Bruce Swedien, Dick Rudolph*, Rod Temperton

SIDE B:
Sweet Freedom (Freedom Mix-Extended Club Version) 10:07
Engineer [Remix] –  Taavi Mote
Remix –  Louil Silas, Jr.*

Sweet Freedom (Child Of Freedom Mix-Radio Edit) 6:45
Engineer [Remix] –  Taavi Mote
Remix –  Louil Silas, Jr.*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:

 

Year Single Chart Position
1986/87 Sweet Freedom U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #7
1986/87 Sweet Freedom U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #4
1986/87 Sweet Freedom U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs #17
1986/87 Sweet Freedom U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #8

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records  – MCA-23641
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Arranged By [Horns] –  Larry Williams, Rod Temperton
Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ❀] – Brian Gardner
Producer –Dick Rudolph*, Rod Temperton
Producer, Mixed By, Recorded By – Bruce Swedien
Written-By, Arranged By – Rod Temperton

NOTES:
Theme from the Motion Picture “Running Scared”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable:Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
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
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 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

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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Michael Jackson – Thriller (Japan 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

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“Thriller” is a song recorded by American singer Michael Jackson, composed by English songwriter Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single released by Epic Records from his 1982 studio album Thriller. A 14-minute video showing Jackson in a Halloween-themed performance premiered on November 14, 1983. It was first shown on MTV on December 2, 1983. The song was not released as a single until January 23, 1984.

The song features a rap by actor Vincent Price.

In the song, sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard, and the lyrics contain frightening themes and elements. “Thriller” received positive reviews from critics and became Jackson’s seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from the album, while reaching the top of the charts in France and Belgium and the top ten in many other countries.

Sadly on 5 October 2016, songwriter Rod Temperton’s death was announced after what was described by his music publisher as “a brief aggressive battle with cancer”. Temperton had died in London the previous week and his funeral had already taken place. The exact date of his death was not announced. He was 68 years old.

The European 12″ included a “special edit” which omitted the Vincent Price rap. I have included it here as a bonus cut.

SIDE A:
Thriller (Special Long Mix Version) 5:57

SIDE B:
Thriller (Instrumental) 5:57

BONUS CUT:
Thriller (Special Edit) 4:09

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1983 Thriller U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #4
1983 Thriller U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary #24
1983 Thriller U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles #3
1983 Thriller U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #1

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic ‎– 12・3P-492
Series: Michael Jackson Jumbo Single Series 3
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Co-producer – Michael Jackson
Producer – Quincy Jones
Written-By – R. Temperton*

NOTES:
Special versions from the LP “THRILLER”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

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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