Tag: Shep Pettibone

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:

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.



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?

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:

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

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 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.



Thompson Twins – Sugar Daddy (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1989

“Sugar Daddy” is a song by British pop group Thompson Twins, which was released in 1989 as the lead single from their seventh studio album Big Trash. The song was written and produced by Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie. “Sugar Daddy” reached number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (their final Top 40 hit in the US) and number 97 in the UK Singles Chart.

In a 1989 interview on MuchMusic, Bailey described the song as sounding “quite sugary” but added “the message is quite disturbing”. He added, “It’s about sexual manipulation, affection traded for power, and as with all those sort of power-gain relationships, there’s always a sugar coating, so that’s why the song is so sugary but the message so bizarre.”

Speaking on MuchMusic, Currie revealed some of the unused sequences of the video, “The video was funny. I wanted to be the angel of death in it, with a black guitar and wings, but I kept getting stuck up there and screaming to get down, so we had to lose some of those shots. And then they built this enormous 12 foot skirt, I wanted to have these men coming out from under my skirt, and they edited that down to make it a bit more acceptable. I wanted to be the original hell’s angel, it didn’t quite come off. I always get disappointed by our videos.”

++ “Big Daddy’s Dub”, and “Velvet Rail Dub” have not appeared on CD.

SIDE A:
Sugar Daddy (Sweet N’ Low Mix) 5:37
Sugar Daddy (Big Daddy’s Dub) 5:14
Sugar Daddy (7″ Remix) 3:38

SIDE B:
Sugar Daddy (Velvet Rail Mix) 7:42
Sugar Daddy (Velvet Rail Dub) 5:49
Monkey Man 3:34
Engineer, Mixed By – Keith Fernley

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1989 Sugar Daddy U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #28
1989 Sugar Daddy U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #16
1989 Sugar Daddy U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #2

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-21320, Red Eye (2) – 9 21320-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: House, Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
From the LP “BIG TRASH”

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