Tag: Steve Peck

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

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 9, 2025

Olivia Newton-John – The Rumour (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1988

NEW 2025 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!

Original post date May 31, 2017

Released in August 1988, “The Rumour” was the lead single and title track from Olivia Newton-John’s thirteenth studio album. Known for her wholesome image and soft pop hits, Olivia took a more mature and socially conscious turn on this record—addressing themes like tabloid gossip, environmental issues, and global awareness, all wrapped in polished late-’80s pop production.

Co-written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, “The Rumour” has an energetic bounce, driven by bright synths, a punchy rhythm section, and a hook that sticks. Elton didn’t just write the song—he also played piano and contributed backing vocals, adding an unmistakable touch of his signature flair to the track.

A stylish music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Brian Grant (known for his work with artists like Whitney Houston and Duran Duran). The video featured slick, upbeat choreography by none other than Kenny Ortega, adding a vibrant visual energy that matched the song’s pop sophistication.

The track was also remixed for clubs by the legendary Shep Pettibone, who amped up the dancefloor appeal with extended instrumental breaks and a slick, late-’80s groove. Thanks to Shep’s remix, “The Rumour” found a second life on the dancefloor—peaking at #17 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, even if it only reached #62 on the Hot 100.

The 12″ version featured here includes Shep’s extended mix, which stretches out the shimmer and lets the groove breathe—Olivia never quite sounded like this before or since. It’s a sleek, underappreciated gem that showcases her versatility and willingness to evolve her sound.

Despite not being a huge commercial smash, “The Rumour” marks a fascinating era in Olivia’s career—one where she wasn’t afraid to experiment, speak her mind, and team up with pop royalty to craft something unique.

This one’s for the fans who remember when pop stars weren’t afraid to push boundaries—and still made it sound this good.

SIDE A:
The Rumour (12″ Extended Mix) 6:42
The Rumour (7″ Mix) 4:00

SIDE B:
The Rumour (12″ Dub) 4:14
The Rumour (Instrumental) 4:00

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	The Rumour	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#62
1988	The Rumour	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks	#33
1988	The Rumour	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#17
1988	The Rumour	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#42

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23890
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Aug 13 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Mixed By – Shep Pettibone, Steve Peck
Photography By – Herb Ritts
Producer – Elton John, James Newton Howard
Remix [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin

NOTES:
Original versions appear on the Olivia Newton-John album “The Rumour” (MCA-6245)

Remix And Additional Production By Shep Pettibone For Mastermix Productions

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 7, 2025

Prince – Glam Slam (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Following the spiritual ecstasy of Alphabet St., Prince dove deeper into the sacred-meets-sensual waters with his second single from the Lovesexy album: the lush, layered, and provocatively titled “Glam Slam.” Released in 1988, the track continues Prince’s mission of merging flesh and faith—blending erotic overtones with a spiritual undercurrent in a way only he could pull off.

Musically, “Glam Slam” is a complex piece, sharing its DNA with Parade-era grooves like “Life Can Be So Nice.” Percussive, moody, and sprinkled with orchestral flourishes (courtesy of synth strings), the original album version ends on an almost cinematic note. But on the 12″ remix, Prince hands the controls over to Shep Pettibone and Steve Peck—who transform the track into a full-fledged dance floor jam. Their remix amps up the beats, adds new instrumental layers, and injects just enough sampling magic to give it that late-’80s Shep polish, all without losing the song’s original mystique.

The B-side, “Escape (Free Yo Mind From This Rat Race),” deserves its own spotlight. Though it shares a chorus sample from “Glam Slam,” this is no simple remix. Prince strips the original down and rebuilds it as a funk-laced, anti-violence anthem with an infectious bassline and socially conscious lyrics. “Escape” moves away from the divine sensuality of Lovesexy and lands squarely on the dancefloor—preaching liberation from drugs, gangs, and the toxic cycles of urban life.

True fans will notice that the opening lines of “Escape” are recycled from the unreleased Camille cut “Rebirth of the Flesh.” Those same lines even opened shows on the Lovesexy World Tour, segueing directly into “Erotic City”—a moment of pure Prince genius.

While “Glam Slam” may not have scaled the charts like some of his earlier hits, its layered production, spiritual themes, and remix treatment make it one of the more underrated gems in the Purple One’s vast catalog. And “Escape”? Just another reminder that even Prince’s B-sides were better than most artists’ A-game.

Burning the Ground Recommends:
Don’t sleep on the 12″ remix. It’s a Shep Pettibone masterclass. And “Escape” deserves heavy rotation—especially if you’re into the funkier, rawer side of Paisley Park.

SIDE A:
Glam Slam (Remix) 8:52
Edited By – The Latin Rascals
Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
Remix – Shep Pettibone, Steve Peck

SIDE B:
Escape (Free Yo Mind From This Rat Race) 6:27

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Paisley Park – 0-21005
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Minneapolis Sound

CREDITS:

Written By – Prince

NOTES:
Original version from the Paisley Park Album LOVESEXY

Side A : Additional production for Mastermix Productions.

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 1, 2025

Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Heaven Is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle’s Timeless Anthem

Released in 1987, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” remains one of the defining songs of the decade. Performed by Belinda Carlisle, former lead singer of The Go-Go’s, the track catapulted her into solo superstardom and became an instant classic of the late ’80s pop-rock sound.

A Chart-Topping Smash

Written by hitmakers Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” was the lead single from Carlisle’s second solo album, Heaven on Earth. The song quickly became a global phenomenon, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and topping charts in several other countries, including the UK and Canada. It was Carlisle’s first (and only) U.S. No. 1 hit, solidifying her place in pop history.

The Sound of the Late ’80s

The song’s lush production, soaring melodies, and anthemic chorus perfectly encapsulate the era’s signature sound. Produced by Nowels, the track features a driving beat, shimmering synths, and a powerful vocal performance from Carlisle. Many of the era’s biggest names contributed to the track—background vocals were provided by Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas, Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips, songwriter Diane Warren, as well as songwriters Nowels and Shipley. The song also features Thomas Dolby on synthesizers.

An Iconic Music Video

Adding to the song’s legendary status is its striking music video, directed by actress-turned-filmmaker Diane Keaton. Featuring dreamlike imagery, shadowy dancers, and celestial themes, the video perfectly complements the song’s uplifting lyrics about love and paradise. Carlisle, dressed in black against a darkened, glowing background, delivers a mesmerizing performance, making the video one of the most recognizable of the decade.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

Beyond its chart success, Heaven Is a Place on Earth has endured as a staple of ’80s nostalgia. The song has been featured in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials, from Black Mirror to Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. It’s also a favorite in karaoke bars and ‘80s dance nights worldwide. The song’s message—finding heaven in love and human connection—remains just as powerful today as it was in 1987.

The Twelve-Inch Remix

For fans of extended mixes, the song’s 12″ version is a must-listen. The official remix, crafted by Shep Pettibone, extends the song’s euphoric energy with an extended intro and an even more driving beat, making it a dancefloor favorite. It’s another perfect example of how the ’80s took pop hits and transformed them into club anthems.

A Song That Never Fades

More than three decades later, Heaven Is a Place on Earth continues to shine as one of the most beloved pop songs of its time. Whether you first heard it on the radio in 1987 or discovered it through a retro playlist, its magic remains undeniable.

SIDE A:
Heaven Is A Place On Earth (The Heavenly Version) 5:59

SIDE B:
Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Down To Earth Dub) 5:27
Heaven Is A Place On Earth (The Voice) 3:53

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	Heaven Is A Place On Earth	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1987	Heaven Is A Place On Earth	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	#7

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23808, MCA Records – MCA 23808
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tuta Aquino
Edited By, Producer [Additional], Remix – Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Peck
Lacquer Cut By – TJ*
Producer, Written-By – Rick Nowels
Written-By – Ellen Shipley

NOTES:
From the MCA LP “HEAVEN ON EARTH”

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.