Tag: Shep Pettibone

March 31, 2025

Duran Duran – All She Wants Is (US 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1988, Duran Duran had moved well beyond their early-’80s new wave roots. Their album Big Thing signaled a shift toward a more experimental, club-oriented sound, and All She Wants Is, one of its standout singles, exemplified this transformation.

Released as the second single from Big Thing, All She Wants Is was one of the band’s most unconventional and daring tracks. Stripping away the glossy pop sheen of their earlier hits, the song embraced a darker, industrial-infused groove inspired by the house and dance music trends of the late ’80s. Produced by Duran Duran alongside Jonathan Elias and Daniel Abraham, it featured pulsing beats, distorted vocals, and an eerie, hypnotic atmosphere that set it apart from anything they had done before.

Despite its departure from their signature sound, All She Wants Is proved successful. It reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., reaffirming the band’s ability to evolve while still making compelling music. On the U.S. Billboard Dance chart, it soared to #1, thanks in part to Shep Pettibone’s remixes, which amplified its club appeal. The song’s hypnotic rhythm and haunting chorus made it a favorite on dance floors, while its surreal music video—directed by Dean Chamberlain—added to its mystique with stop-motion animation and eerie lighting effects.

Beyond its chart performance, All She Wants Is showcased Duran Duran’s willingness to push creative boundaries—a trait that has helped them stay relevant for decades. Even today, the track remains a striking entry in their discography, a bold electronic departure that still captures the essence of what made Duran Duran one of the most exciting bands of their era.

For fans of late-’80s dance music and darker, edgier pop, All She Wants Is remains a fascinating listen—proof that Duran Duran was far more than just their early MTV-era hits. The track was ahead of its time and still sounds fresh today.

Official Remixes

The U.S. 12″ promo featured five remixes by Shep Pettibone, including the exclusive Euro House Dub II, which remains a vinyl-only track. Below is a breakdown of the various official remixes, with mix titles varying slightly by country:

45 Version / 7″ Version – Slight early fades of the album version, varying by release but only a few seconds shorter.
Euro House Mix / Euro Dub Mix – The same vocal house remix.
Euro House Dub I / House Dub – Identical instrumental house remixes.
Euro House Dub II – Exclusive to the U.S. promo 12″.
U.S. Master Mix – An electro/freestyle-inspired vocal remix.
U.S. Master Dub / Latino Dub – Identical instrumental remixes.

*Vinyl-only exclusive

SIDE A:
All She Wants Is (U.S. Master Mix) 7:21
All She Wants Is (U.S. Master Dub) 6:45

SIDE B:
All She Wants Is (Euro House Mix) 7:35
All She Wants Is (Euro House Dub I) 7:09
All She Wants Is (Euro House Dub II)* 5:44

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	All She Wants Is	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#22
1988	All She Wants Is	U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	#24
1988	All She Wants Is	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – SPRO-79482, Capitol Records – SPRO-79483
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Gold sleeve
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Composed By – Taylor*, Rhodes*, Lebon*
Edited By – Chep Nunez*
Engineer [Remix] – Goh Hotoda
Producer – Daniel Abraham, Duran Duran, Jonathan Elias
Remix – Shep Pettibone

NOTES:
Issued in plain white, silver or gold generic die-cut jacket with info sticker.

Mix titles on sticker vary slightly from what is on the labels; the tracklist here is a combination of the two.

Info on sticker:
New Mixes by Shep Pettibone
Promotional use only. Not for sale.

Info on labels:
Remixed by Shep Pettibone for MasterMix Productions.
(Original version appears on the LP “Big Thing” C1-90958)

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
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.

March 26, 2025

Shining a Spotlight on Shep Pettibone: The Remix Architect of the 80s and 90s

I wanted to shine a spotlight on one of the most influential remixers and producers of the 1980s and 90s: Shep Pettibone. A visionary in the studio, Pettibone redefined what a remix could be, turning standard pop tracks into club anthems and paving the way for dance music’s evolution.

The Early Years

Born in 1959, Shep Pettibone first gained recognition as a DJ and remixer in the early 1980s, working with Salsoul Records. His early reworkings of disco and post-disco tracks showcased his ability to extend, reshape, and inject new energy into songs. It wasn’t long before major labels and artists took notice of his unique approach to remixing.

Defining the Remix Culture

By the mid-80s, Pettibone had become the go-to remixer for some of the biggest names in pop and dance music. He brought his signature sound—punchy basslines, crisp percussion, and extended dance breaks—to songs by artists such as Madonna, Janet Jackson, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, and George Michael. His remixes were more than just extended versions; they often reimagined the structure of a song, adding new instrumental elements and building up to explosive climaxes perfect for the dancefloor.

Some of his most celebrated remixes, known for their innovative production and dancefloor appeal, include:

Madonna – “Into the Groove (You Can Dance Remix)” (1987)
Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls (Shep Pettibone Mastermix)” (1986)
Janet Jackson – “Miss You Much (Shep’s House Mix)” (1989)
George Michael – “Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Remix)” (1987)

The Madonna Connection & Chart Domination

Pettibone’s collaborations with Madonna cemented his status as a top-tier producer. He remixed multiple tracks for her, but it was their work together on 1990’s Vogue that truly defined his career. Co-writing and co-producing the song, Pettibone crafted a house-inspired masterpiece that became a global phenomenon. He later worked extensively on Madonna’s Erotica album (1992), blending deep house grooves with edgy pop and R&B.

Beyond the 90s

As the remix culture evolved and new producers emerged, Pettibone gradually stepped away from the mainstream music industry. He focused on other ventures, including opening the Paradise Nightclub in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Though no longer actively remixing, his influence remains undeniable, with modern DJs and producers still citing his work as a major inspiration.

Legacy

Shep Pettibone transformed the role of the remixer from someone who merely extended a track to a true artist who could reshape and elevate a song into something fresh and exciting. His contributions to dance and pop music continue to be celebrated, and his work remains a staple for DJs and collectors alike.

For fans of 80s and 90s remixes, Pettibone’s catalog is essential listening. His work serves as a reminder of an era when the 12” single ruled the dancefloor, and the right remix could make all the difference.

Let me know in the comments—what is your favorite Shep Pettibone remix?

July 16, 2024

Ramsey Lewis – This Ain’t No Fantasy (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985

“This Ain’t No Fantasy” is a single recorded by American jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, released in 1985 on Columbia Records from the LP Fantasy. In December 1985 “This Ain’t No Fantasy” reached #88 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and #48 on the Billboard Dance Chart. There was not a music video filmed for the song.

On September 12, 2022, Lewis passed away in his sleep at his home in Chicago at age 87.

THIS SIDE:
This Ain’t No Fantasy (Part One) (Extended Remix With Male Vocal) 6:06

THAT SIDE:
This Ain’t No Fantasy (Part Two) (Extended Remix With Female Vocal) 7:06

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985	This Ain’t No Fantasy	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#88
1985	This Ain’t No Fantasy	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#48

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44 05311
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Jazzdance

CREDITS:

Engineer – Alan Meyerson, Don Wershba
Engineer [Second] – Nick Delre
Executive-Producer – George Butler
Mastered By – Vlado Meller
Producer – Morris “Butch” Stewart*
Producer [Additional], Mixed By – Shep Pettibone
Written By – P. Leonard
Written-By – M. “Butch” Stewart*

NOTES:
Special versions taken from the Columbia LP “Fantasy”.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

October 18, 2023

Pet Shop Boys – Heart (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1988

Spooky Season Spin 

The music video alone qualifies this one for a spooky season spin.

“Heart” is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987).

Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, “Heart” was the fourth and final single from the duo’s second studio album, Actually. A new mix different to the album version was released as a single in March 1988, ascending to the top of the charts to become the duo’s fourth—and, to date, last—UK number-one single. It was also successful across Europe.

The genesis of the song goes back to the sessions for the duo’s first album Please in early 1986 with Shep Pettibone. Originally, the duo had planned to offer it to Hi-NRG singer Hazell Dean or—more notoriously—Madonna, but they ultimately kept it for themselves. The duo’s version of the song was intended to be used in the Steven Spielberg-produced film Innerspace, but the dance sequence it was intended for was at the wrong tempo for the song. The song was originally called “Heartbeat”, but was changed after Culture Club drummer Jon Moss announced the formation of a group named Heartbeat UK.

The lyrics are more traditional than most Pet Shop Boys songs, being a straightforward declaration of love—a characteristic common in many pop songs. On the commentary of the Pet Shop Boys’ live video album Cubism, Tennant reveals that the “oh – ah – oh’oh ah” refrain which repeats throughout the song features the vocals of himself, Pavarotti, and Wendy Smith (of Prefab Sprout).

According to Tennant, they were inspired by the song I Like You by Phyllis Nelson, which was produced by Shep Pettibone, who did a remix of Heart.

The song was re-recorded for Actually with producer Andy Richards and was mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. The single remix is an edit of the Richards’ version with the use of a wah-wah guitar, giving the song more of a 1970s sound.

Despite topping the UK chart for three weeks and being a worldwide success, the duo themselves tend to dismiss it, with Lowe stating in 2001: “It just shows that chart positions aren’t the be-all and end-all. ‘Heart’ isn’t in the same league as ‘Being Boring’.” However, many fans regard the song highly and Pet Shop Boys like it enough to have performed the song on their 1989 tour, the Fundamental world tour in 2006 and 2007 as well as their Pandemonium tour in 2009–2010.

When included in the retrospective PopArt: The Hits collection, the album version of the track was used for the UK release rather than the hit single mix, the reason for this is unknown. The single mix was included in the US release.

Music video

Directed by Jack Bond, director of the band’s 1987 film It Couldn’t Happen Here, the music video for “Heart” is based on the 1922 film Nosferatu. The video opens with Tennant and his bride (played by model Danijela Čolić Prižmić) being driven to a castle with Lowe as his chauffeur. As he goes to bed with his bride, the vampire, played by Ian McKellen, spies them. Later, he seduces the bride and bites her. Finally, Lowe drives Nosferatu and his bride away, leaving Tennant to stare bitterly after them from a castle window. The video was shot in Mokrice Castle, Slovenia, then one of the Yugoslavia republics.

SIDE A:
Heart (Disco Mix) 8:28
Engineer – Tony Phillips
Guitar – J. J. Belle*
Producer – Andy Richards, Pet Shop Boys

I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too) 4:54
Engineer – Mark Stent
Guitar – Steve Lipson*
Programmed By [Fairlight], Organ [Hammond] – Blue Weaver
Vocals [Additional] – Dee Lewis, Shirley Lewis

SIDE B:
Heart (Dance Mix) 6:10
Engineer – Tony Phillips
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Peck
Guitar – J. J. Belle*
Producer – Andy Richards, Pet Shop Boys
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12R 6177, Parlophone – 12R6177
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Mar 21, 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Mark Farrow, Pet Shop Boys
Mastered By – Nick Webb
Photography By – Eric Watson (3)

NOTES:
Dee Lewis courtesy of Phonogram.
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

Buy the Neil 12″ at DISCOGS

Buy the Chris 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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 making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.