Tag: Shep Pettibone

April 18, 2025

Janet Jackson – Alright (US 12″ Promo) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the time “Alright” dropped as the fourth single from Janet Jackson’s landmark Rhythm Nation 1814, she was already in full superstar mode. The track, with its nostalgic swing samples and Janet’s bright, confident vocals, was another standout from the groundbreaking album. But for remix heads and club DJs, it was the U.S. 12″ promo that truly brought the heat.

The U.S. 12″ Promo features four unique versions of “Alright,” with three of them—the LP Remix, 12″ R&B Edit, and 12″ House Edit—being completely exclusive to this release.enthusiasts.

For serious Janet fans, this promo is a must-have. With three exclusive mixes and Shep Pettibone in full remix mode.

SIDE A:
Alright (12” R&B Edit) 7:18
Alright (LP Remix) 6:30

SIDE B:
Alright (12” House Edit) 7:12
Alright (House Dub) 5:58

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-18021
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop, Funk / Soul
Style: RnB/Swing, Soul, House

CREDITS:

Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Jackson*, Jam*, Lewis*
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Jackson*, Jam*, Lewis*
Backing Vocals – Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis
Co-producer – Janet Jackson
Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Executive-Producer – John McClain
Mixed By – Shep Pettibone
Percussion – Terry Lewis
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis

NOTES:
Promotional copy not for sale

Tracks A1, A2 , and B1 are exclusive to this release

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.

April 17, 2025

Janet Jackson – Alright (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

12″ Single Released: March 4, 1990

“Alright” was the fourth single released from Janet Jackson’s groundbreaking Rhythm Nation 1814 album, and it brought with it a joyful, funky energy that stood out among the album’s harder-edged, socially conscious tracks. With bright horns, a classic swing vibe, and Janet’s signature layered vocals, “Alright” is a celebration of love and positivity wrapped in irresistible grooves.

The 12″ release is particularly special—packed with six different mixes, including standout work by remix legend Shep Pettibone, this record is a true gem for collectors and remix fans alike. Some of these versions, as far as I know, are vinyl-only, and getting them cleaned up properly was a labor of love.

I spent three days working on this 12″—most of the time went into visually removing clicks, pops, and other anomalies from the audio. It’s a meticulous process, but one I’m passionate about, and the end result is something I’m really proud of. In fact, I took most of yesterday off from posting just to focus entirely on this record.

I hope you enjoy the results as much as I do.

The song itself reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Janet’s fourth consecutive #1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Its iconic video—directed by Julien Temple—was a loving tribute to 1930s musicals, featuring cameos from legends like Cab Calloway, Cyd Charisse, and the Nicholas Brothers. Stylish, timeless, and loaded with charm, “Alright” remains a highlight of Janet’s incredible career.

Whether you’re hearing these mixes for the first time or rediscovering them, I think you’ll agree—Janet sounds more than alright. She sounds phenomenal.

SIDE A:
Alright (12″ R&B Mix) 7:18
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Heavy D.*

Alright (7″ R&B Mix) 4:34

Alright (A Cappella) 3:28

SIDE B:
Alright (12″ House Mix) 8:27
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Heavy D.*

Alright (Hip House Dub) 6:36
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Heavy D.*

Alright (House Dub) 5:58

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1990	Alright	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#4
1990	Alright	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs	#1
1990	Alright	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales	#2
1990	alright	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs	#2

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12351, A&M Records – SP 12351
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Mar 4, 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: House, Hip-House, New Jack Swing, Contemporary R&B

CREDITS:

Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Jackson*, Jam*, Lewis*
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Jackson*, Jam*, Lewis*
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis
Co-producer – Janet Jackson
Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Goh Hotoda
Executive-Producer – John McClain
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Percussion – Terry Lewis
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Producer [Post-Production], Remix – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Alan Friedman, Fred McFarlane
Written-By – James Harris III, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis

NOTES:
From the LP “Rhythm Nation 1814”

Buy the 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 donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

April 15, 2025

Miami Sound Machine – Bad Boy (US 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!

Original post date May 12, 2015

🌴 Back to the beat with the queen of Latin pop and her unstoppable crew! Miami Sound Machine’s infectious 1985 single “Bad Boy” was the follow-up to their breakout smash “Conga,” and it proved that Gloria Estefan & Co. were no one-hit wonder. With its tight production, punchy horns, and dancefloor attitude, “Bad Boy” cemented the group’s crossover success and became one of the defining tracks of the Latin freestyle and dance-pop explosion of the mid-’80s.

Released as the second single from their breakthrough album Primitive Love, “Bad Boy” was produced by Emilio Estefan Jr., Gloria’s husband and the group’s guiding force. The single hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to #3 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Across the Atlantic, it also made waves, reaching #16 in the UK, giving the band their first major British chart success.

🎬 A bit of trivia: The music video for “Bad Boy” featured Gloria Estefan surrounded by—you guessed it—guys in full-on Grease-style 1950s gang outfits… and dancing streetwise cats straight out of Broadway’s Cats. Only in the ’80s!

📀 Today’s 12″ takes the track to the club, giving DJs a chance to let that groove ride. The Shep Pettibone mix showcases the signature Latin percussion and synth work that made Miami Sound Machine stand out from their pop contemporaries. It’s slick, bold, and filled with energy that screams mid-’80s dancefloor magic.

SIDE A:
Bad Boy (Remix) 6:10

SIDE B:
Bad Boy (Dub Version) 6:45

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mibt

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985/86	Bad Boy	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#8
1985/86	Bad Boy	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	#8
1985/86	Bad Boy	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#74
1985/86	Bad Boy	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#10
1985/86	Bad Boy	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales	#3

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49-05338
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Latin, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Engineer – Michael Hutchinson
Producer – Emilio Estefan, Jr.
Remix – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – J. Galdo*, L. Dermer*, R. Vigil*

NOTES:
Special Version from the Epic LP “Primitive Love” 40131.

Buy the 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 donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

April 10, 2025

Whitney Houston – So Emotional (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“I get so emotional, baby… Every time I think of you…”

Released in October 1987, “So Emotional” was the third single from Whitney Houston’s mega-selling second album, Whitney. The song showcases a grittier, more rock-infused side of Whitney’s voice—complete with big drums, searing guitar, and of course, that unmatched vocal power.

Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly—the same duo behind hits like Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors”—“So Emotional” brought a harder edge to Whitney’s pristine pop image. With its fusion of pop-rock, dance, and soul, the song showed she could do much more than just ballads.

The single was a massive success, becoming Whitney’s sixth consecutive #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying her with The Beatles and The Bee Gees for the longest streak of chart-topping singles at the time. It also topped the Dance Club Songs chart and cracked the Top 10 internationally, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.

The music video for “So Emotional,” directed by Wayne Isham, captures Whitney on the road and backstage as she preps for a high-energy concert. Shot at Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the video was filmed between dates of her 1987–1988 Moment of Truth Tour. It’s a candid, electrifying snapshot of Whitney in her prime—playful, stylish, and commanding the stage with ease.

For the clubs, Shep Pettibone crafted a total of five mixes for the 12″ release, each tailored for different dancefloor moments. The Extended Remix brings the drama with punchy synths and an amped-up groove. The Dub Mix strips things back to spotlight the rhythm section, while the Bonus Beats offers DJs pure percussive fuel. The Edited Remix trims things down for more commercial play.

And then there’s “The Voice”—a jaw-dropping acapella version that isolates Whitney’s soaring vocals over minimal backing. It’s a masterclass in vocal control, phrasing, and emotion. If you ever doubted her range or power, this version will silence you.

From the glam-rock guitars to the iconic belting chorus, “So Emotional” is pure ’80s fire—a perfect blend of vulnerability and power. Whether you were sweating it out on the dance floor in 1987 or just discovering it today, this track remains one of Whitney’s most thrilling and energetic performances.

Stay tuned—this one’s worth cranking up loud.

SIDE A:
So Emotional (Extended Remix) 7:53
Edited By – Junior Vasquez, Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Fred McFarlane

So Emotional (Edited Remix) 4:27
Edited By – Junior Vasquez, Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Fred McFarlane

SIDE B:
So Emotional (Single Version) 4:02

So Emotional (Dub Version) 5:15
Edited By – Junior Vasquez, Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Fred McFarlane

So Emotional (Bonus Beats) 4:28
Edited By – Junior Vasquez, Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Fred McFarlane

So Emotional (The Voice) 4:18
Edited By – Junior Vasquez, Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Fred McFarlane

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	So Emotional-	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1987	So Emotional-	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs	#5
1987	So Emotional-	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary	#8
1987	So Emotional-	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – AD1-9641
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

A&R [A & R Coordination By] – Richard Sweret
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Whitney Houston
Design – Dave Brubaker*
Executive-Producer – Clive Davis
Photography By [Photo] – Patrick Demarchelier
Producer [Original Production By] – Narada Michael Walden
Written-By – Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly*

NOTES:
Printed in U.S.A.

From the LP “WHITNEY”

Includes a special full-color souvenir poster.

Buy the 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 donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.