Tag: Stephen Hague

April 2, 2025

Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls (The Shep Pettibone Mastermix) (Europe 12″) (1985)

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Originally posted February 4, 2013

Few songs encapsulate the sound of the mid-80s like West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys. Originally released in 1984, the song was re-recorded in 1985 with producer Stephen Hague. It became an international hit in 1986, topping charts worldwide. Its mix of moody synth-pop, hip-hop-inspired beats, and Neil Tennant’s signature deadpan delivery created a track that still resonates today. But for remix enthusiasts, one particular version stands out—the Shep Pettibone Mastermix.

Shep Pettibone, a legend in the remix world, was at the height of his powers in the mid-to-late ’80s, working with artists like Madonna, New Order, and Janet Jackson. His take on West End Girls amplifies its dancefloor appeal, giving it a sharper, club-friendly edge while retaining the song’s atmospheric charm. Clocking in at over eight minutes, Pettibone’s remix extends and reshapes the track, introducing new percussive elements, enhanced synth layers, and a driving rhythm that makes the song even more energetic and dynamic.

One of the standout elements of the Shep Pettibone Mastermix is its use of breakdowns and vocal manipulation. Tennant’s vocals are layered and looped, adding depth and drama to the track. The bassline, already a defining feature of the original, is pushed forward, creating a groove that feels tailor-made for dance floors. The result is a remix that not only respects the essence of the song but elevates it into something fresh and dynamic.

It’s important to note that the Shep Pettibone Mastermix that appears on the 12″ single is not the same version that appeared on DISCO: The Remix Album. Additionally, to my knowledge, neither version on the 12″ single has appeared on CD. The B-side A Man Could Get Arrested is also a different version than the one that appears on the Alternative compilation or the Please Further Listening edition.

Though the Shep Pettibone Mastermix wasn’t the most commercially promoted remix of West End Girls, it remains a favorite among DJs and collectors, capturing a moment when remix culture was beginning to redefine pop music. It’s a testament to both Pet Shop Boys’ innovative songwriting and Pettibone’s ability to transform great songs into club classics.

For those who appreciate the extended mix era, this remix is a must-listen—a perfect blend of the Pet Shop Boys’ signature style and Shep Pettibone’s remix mastery. If you haven’t revisited it in a while, now’s the time to put it back on and experience West End Girls in a whole new way.

SIDE A:
West End Girls (The Shep Pettibone Mastermix) 8:13
Producer – Stephen Hague
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone

SIDE B:
West End Dub 9:35
Producer – Stephen Hague
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone

A Man Could Get Arrested 4:21
Producer – Bobby Orlando, The Pet Shop Boys*
Remix – Frank Roszak

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1986	West End Girls	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1986	West End Girls	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	#26
1986	West End Girls	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play	#1
1986	West End Girls	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#36
1986	West End Girls	U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks	#37

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 060-20 0998 6, EMI – 1C K 060 20 0998 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Written-By – Tennant / Lowe

NOTES:
Tracks A and B1: Mixing and additional production for Mastermix Productions

Printed in Germany
Made in EEC.

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.

July 31, 2024

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Secret (Re-Mix) (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1988

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Originally posted November 18, 2014

“Secret” is a 1985 song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the second single from their album Crush. Paul Humphreys sings lead vocals on the track. It became their second US Billboard Hot 100 entry, peaking at number 63, and also made number 34 on the UK Singles Chart.

The song was featured in the 1988 movie Arthur 2: On the Rocks and its soundtrack album; it was also re-released to radio in the US as the follow-up to The Best of OMD track “Dreaming”, approximately one month before the movie’s premiere. The new 1988 remix received renewed airplay on several US contemporary hit stations, but it did not re-chart on the Hot 100.

The video for “Secret”, directed by Andy Morahan, shows various vintage black & white film clips, including footage of the Beatles, interspersed with new black & white footage of Humphreys and a woman processed to look like old home movies; additionally, there are color scenes of Humphreys singing. The theme is that a woman deserts her current love interest (McCluskey) to return to the arms of her true love (Humphreys). McCluskey’s character observes the two lovers together and, though sad, gallantly accepts that his love interest should instead be with Humphreys’ character, before walking into the distance along the shore. The clip was filmed at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex.

The New 1988 Remixes were only released in the United States.

SIDE A:
Secret (New 12″ Remix) 5:52
Secret (New 7″ Remix) 3:47

SIDE B:
Secret (Old 12″ Remix) 6:13
Telegraph (Live) 3:55

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12272, Virgin – SP-12272
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Composed By – OMD*
Producer – OMD* (tracks: B2), Stephen Hague (tracks: A1 to B1)
Remix – OMD* (tracks: A1, A2)

NOTES:
“Secret” Original version appears on the A&M album “The Best Of O.M.D.” SP-5186
“Telegraph” Recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon, London 1983. (Previously Unreleased).
This version of Telegraph had previously been released overseas on the Tesla Girls single in 1984.

Printed in the U.S.A.
114 BPM

Vinyl appears to be standard black, but is actually pressed on dark brown translucent vinyl, sometimes referred to as “audiophile” or “virgin vinyl”, possibly unstickered Quiex II pressing, which A&M often used in the 1980s.

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.

October 3, 2023

The Rock Steady Crew – (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1983

“(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew” is the debut single by American hip hop group the Rock Steady Crew from their debut studio album Ready for Battle. It was released in 1983 through Charisma/Virgin Records as the album’s lead single. Written by Budd “Blue Soldier” Dixon, Ruza Blue and Stephen Hague, and produced by Dixon and Hague, the lead vocals were performed by 15-year-old Daisy Castro, aka “Baby Love”.

The song became the most popular hit song of the Rock Steady Crew. The single peaked at number-one on the Belgian and Dutch singles charts, and reached the top ten in many other European countries, including the United Kingdom.

SIDE A:
(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew (Extended Version) 5:27

SIDE B:
(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew (Instrumental Version) 3:51

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Charisma – RSC 1-12, Virgin – RSC 1-12
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: Electro, Hip Hop

CREDITS:

Lacquer Cut By – Arun*
Producer – B. Soldier*, Stephen Hague
Written-By – B. Soldier*, R. Blue*, S. Hague*

NOTES:
A Charisma / KLB production

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

June 17, 2021

Pet Shop Boys – It’s A Sin (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987

Celebrating Pride 2021

NEW 2021 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Restoration!

Originally posted March 20, 2013

“It’s a Sin” is a song by English synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, the song was released on 15 June 1987 as the album’s lead single. It became the duo’s second number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks atop the chart. Additionally, the single topped the charts in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, while reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.

A demo of the track was first cut in 1984 with Bobby Orlando, and the song’s form in the demo remained intact to the final version, although the released production is far more dramatic.

The dramatic, overblown production style of the song, loaded with synthesizers, orchestra hits, and bookended by a non sequitur sample of a NASA countdown, has come to exemplify the most theatrical extremes of the Pet Shop Boys’ musical style.[3] It remains a concert staple, being one of only two songs (alongside “West End Girls”) that has been played during every Pet Shop Boys tour.

The band stated at the time that they had been keen for Stock Aitken Waterman to produce the song, as they were huge fans. Neil has stated that Pete Waterman hated the demo so they turned instead to SAW’s remix engineer Phil Harding to remix the song for the US release (which went uncredited on the sleeve). They would work with him again on “I’m Not Scared”, the single they wrote for the Patsy Kensit band Eighth Wonder and remixes of “Always on My Mind”.

Bursting with melodramatic orchestral stabs, a NASA countdown, and huge-sounding, sweeping synths “It’s A Sin” secured itself in Gay culture permanently becoming a Pride Anthem.

SIDE A:
It’s A Sin (Phil Harding Latin Vocal Mix) 9:16
Keyboards [Fairlight] – Andy Richards
Remix – Pet Shop Boys , Phil Harding

It’s A Sin (Phil Harding Latin Dub Mix) 4:22
Keyboards [Fairlight] – Andy Richards
Remix – Pet Shop Boys , Phil Harding

SIDE B:
It’s A Sin (Remix) 8:16
Remix – Ian Levine

It’s A Sin (Disco Mix) 7:42
Mixed By [Additional] – Stephen Hague

You Know Where You Went Wrong 5:51
Producer – Pet Shop Boys, Shep Pettibone

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Cover: Near Mint

CHARTS:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	It’s A Sin	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#9
1987	It’s A Sin	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#3

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI America ‎– V-19256
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: June 15, 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Hi NRG, Freestyle

CREDITS:
Mastered By – Herbie Jr. :^)*
Producer [Additional] – Stephen Hague (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Producer, Engineer – Julian Mendelsohn (tracks: A1 to B2)
Written-By – Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe*

NOTES:
Packaged in 3-track sleeve for 1st 12″, stickered “4 special mixes of ‘It’s a Sin’”.

A1 and B1 “remixed in the U.K. for the USA”
A1 AKA “Phil Harding Latin Vocal Mix”
A2 as “Phil Harding Latin Dub Mix”

Sleeve mistakenly lists:
(Album version can be heard on the forthcoming album, “Jealousy”-ELT-46972)

Helena Springs courtesy of Arista Records.

(Album version can be heard on the LP, “Actually”-ELJ-46972)

“You Know Where You Went Wrong” (Not Available on the album “Actually”-ELJ-46972)

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
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

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.