Tag: Steve Peck

February 25, 2026

Book Of Love – I Touch Roses (US 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: November 18, 2015

In 1985, American synth-pop quartet Book of Love released what would become their signature song — the luminous and emotionally charged “I Touch Roses.” Issued as the band’s second single, the track solidified their place in the mid-’80s alternative dance scene and helped secure their future with Sire Records.

“I Touch Roses” would later appear on the group’s eponymous debut album, Book of Love, released in 1986. But its initial impact came a year earlier, when the single quietly bloomed in clubs across the country.

From Underground Buzz to Dancefloor Staple

Written by Theodore “Ted” Ottaviano, the song perfectly captured the band’s ethereal aesthetic — romantic, slightly mysterious, and driven by shimmering sequencers. Following the modest success of their debut single “Boy,” “I Touch Roses” followed a similar upward trajectory, but this time the response was stronger.

Although the track did not break into the Billboard Hot 100, it made a significant impact where it mattered most for a synth-driven act in 1985 — the dancefloor. “I Touch Roses” climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at No. 8. In an era dominated by high-energy Hi-NRG and post-disco productions, its dreamy minimalism stood apart.

The single’s B-side, “Lost Souls,” offered fans another glimpse into the band’s atmospheric world. A remixed version of “Lost Souls” would also appear on the debut album, reinforcing the cohesive sonic identity the group was developing. The 7″ version included on the US 12″ is the original version of the song before being remixed by Mark Kamins.

No Grand Plan — Just Momentum

Looking back in 2009, Ted Ottaviano reflected on how organically the song’s success unfolded:

“We didn’t know it at the time, but thankfully, with ‘I Touch Roses’, it was not preordained that Sire was developing us at the time. There was no grand scheme. It was more à la carte. But then people started picking up on ‘Roses,’ and then the album happened.”

That “à la carte” momentum proved pivotal. The growing club response to “I Touch Roses” convinced Sire that Book of Love warranted a full-length album. What began as a promising single became the foundation for a career-defining debut.

The Sound of Vulnerable Synth-Pop

Musically, “I Touch Roses” thrives on restraint. The production is airy and uncluttered — gentle drum programming, cascading keyboard lines, and Susan Ottaviano’s breathy, intimate vocal delivery. There’s a fragility to it that contrasts beautifully with the mechanical precision of the electronics.

It’s that emotional vulnerability that continues to resonate. While many mid-’80s dance tracks chased bombast, “I Touch Roses” created atmosphere. It felt personal, almost secretive — the kind of record discovered late at night on college radio or under mirror balls in alternative clubs.

Four decades later, the song remains a cornerstone of American synth-pop history. It didn’t need a Hot 100 placement to endure. The dancefloor embraced it, and listeners never let it go.

For many of us, when those opening notes begin, “I Touch Roses” still feels like stepping back into a beautifully preserved moment — when underground club culture, romantic minimalism, and pure synth emotion intersected perfectly.

A 2026 Revival

I originally shared this 12″ back in November 2015, but over the years my gear has improved, and my experience in the art of vinyl transferring has grown. Now, in 2026, I’m proud to present this record with a Brand NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration — giving I Touch Roses the attention to detail it truly deserves. Every shimmer, every echo, and every whispered note has been preserved and enhanced, so the track shines like never before.

Whether you’re rediscovering it after all these years or hearing it for the first time, this version captures the ethereal magic of Book of Love in its full glory — just as it should be heard on the dancefloor or through your favorite headphones.

SIDE A:
I Touch Roses (Long Stemmed Version) 5:43

SIDE B:
I Touch Roses 3:24

Lost Souls (7″ Version) 4:13

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
SleeveL Near Mint

Chart Performance – Book Of Love: *I Touch Roses* (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#8	1985

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-20381, I Square Records – 0-20381, Sire – 9 20381-0 A, I Square Records – 9 20381-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Art Direction – Zoë Brotman
Costume Designer [Clothes] – Jeffrey Costello (2)
Cover [Cover Art] – Herbert Lee
Engineer – Steve Peck
Hair, Make-Up – Jill Sunshine
Keyboards – Lauren Roselli, Ted Ottaviano
Lead Vocals – Susan Ottaviano
Management – Steven Mulroney
Mastered By – Herb Powers*
Percussion – Jade Lee
Photography By – David La Chapelle*
Producer – Ivan Ivan
Programmed By, Arranged By, Instruments – Book Of Love
Written-By – Theodore Ottaviano*

NOTES:
Recorded and mixed at Unique Recording, NYC
Mastered at Frankford Wayne, NYC.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
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.

November 14, 2025

Scritti Politti – Perfect Way (US 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer

NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

I first posted this track back on November 30, 2010, but I’ve dug deep into the crates to give it a meticulous new 2025 transfer. Every element—from the layered synths to the crisp percussion—has been carefully preserved, making the song sound brighter, cleaner, and more detailed than ever before.

🎶 Perfect Way: Scritti Politti’s Shimmering 80s Pop Masterpiece

“Perfect Way” by Scritti Politti is a landmark 1980s pop track that blended intellectual lyricism with slick, synth-driven production, becoming the band’s biggest U.S. hit and a defining moment in their career..

Origins and Release

Released in August 1985, Perfect Way was written by Green Gartside and David Gamson and appeared on Scritti Politti’s second studio album, Cupid \& Psyche 85. The album marked a shift from the band’s earlier post-punk experiments into a polished, funk-infused pop sound. Produced by Gartside, Gamson, and Fred Maher, the song showcased the group’s fascination with combining avant-garde ideas with mainstream accessibility.

Musical Style

The track is often described as new wave meets funk-pop, characterized by:

Bright, layered synthesizers
Crisp drum programming
Funk-inspired bass lines
Gartside’s smooth, almost detached vocal delivery

This sleek production reflected the mid-1980s trend toward highly produced, radio-friendly pop, but Scritti Politti added their own cerebral twist. The lyrics are abstract, full of paradoxes and playful contradictions, with lines like “I got a perfect way to make a new proposition” that highlight Gartside’s interest in language and philosophy.

Chart Performance

Interestingly, Perfect Way had a modest impact in the UK, peaking at No. 48 on the singles chart. However, in the United States, it became Scritti Politti’s breakthrough hit, climbing to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. This transatlantic success cemented the band’s reputation as one of the more sophisticated acts of the synth-pop era.

Cultural Impact

One of the most fascinating aspects of Perfect Way is its influence beyond pop music. Miles Davis, the legendary jazz trumpeter, recorded an instrumental version for his 1986 album Tutu. Davis’s choice to reinterpret the song demonstrated its musical depth and adaptability, bridging the gap between pop and jazz.

Legacy

Today, Perfect Way stands as Scritti Politti’s signature song in the U.S. and a quintessential example of mid-80s pop innovation. It represents:

The band’s transition from underground post-punk to mainstream success
The era’s obsession with glossy, high-tech production
A rare case of British intellectual pop resonating more strongly in America than at home

While Scritti Politti never replicated the same level of U.S. chart success, Perfect Way remains a time capsule of 1980s pop sophistication, celebrated for its fusion of catchy hooks and cerebral lyricism.

In short: Perfect Way is Scritti Politti’s most commercially successful single, a synth-pop gem that captured the sleek sound of the 1980s while also earning respect from jazz greats like Miles Davis.

About the 12″ single.

This US 12″ single contains an edited version of the “Way Perfect Mix,” clocking in at 5:27; the full 7:24 “Way Perfect Mix” is included on the US 12″ Promo that I posted in December 2024.

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

SIDE A:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Mix) 5:27
Mixed By – Committee (3)

SIDE B:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Version) 5:07
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Peck

Chart Performance – Scritti Politti: *Perfect Way* (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#11	1985
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#6	1985
US Billboard R&B / Hip-Hop	#85	1985
UK Singles Chart	#48	1985

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-20362, Warner Bros. Records – 9 20362-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: Oct 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Lacquer Cut By – Herb Powers Jr. (tracks: B), Tom Coyne (tracks: A)
Producer – Gamson*, Maher*, Gartside*
Recorded By – Howard Gray
Written-By – Gamson*, Gartside*

NOTES:
Original version on the Warner Bros. album “Cupid & Psyche 85”

Made in U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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 21, 2025

Brenda K. Starr – Breakfast In Bed (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In 1987, Brenda K. Starr served up a delicious slice of late-’80s dance-pop with her single “Breakfast In Bed,” the lead release from her self-titled sophomore album on MCA Records. Hot on the heels of her debut I Want Your Love, this track firmly established Starr as one of the key voices of the freestyle and dance scene of the era.

Produced with a slick, club-ready sheen that captured the sound of New York’s Latin freestyle explosion, “Breakfast In Bed” blended smooth synth textures, irresistible rhythm programming, and Brenda’s soulful, passionate vocals. It’s a perfect example of the crossover potential of freestyle at the time—equal parts pop charm and club energy.

The single made a strong showing on the U.S. charts, peaking at #18 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where it spent 8 weeks spinning on dance floors across the country. It also climbed to #29 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, further proving Starr’s growing fan base among DJs and club-goers.

Notably, Brenda also recorded a Spanish-language version of the song, “Desayuno De Amor,” which became a hit in its own right—reaching #6 on Billboard’s Latin Songs chart. This version showcased her Puerto Rican roots and helped expand her appeal to Latin audiences long before her later transition into salsa music in the 1990s.

“Breakfast In Bed” remains a shining moment in Brenda K. Starr’s early career—a warm, inviting dance track that’s both romantic and rhythmically infectious. Whether you remember it from your favorite nightclub or MTV rotation, it’s a perfect reminder of the era when freestyle ruled the airwaves.

SIDE A:
Breakfast In Bed (12″ Extended) 7:42

SIDE B:
Breakfast In Bed 7:49
Breakfast In Bed (Bonus Beats) 4:29

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Brenda K. Starr: *Breakfast In Bed* (1987)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs	#18	1987
US Billboard Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales	#29	1987

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23796
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle, Electro, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Arranged By, Producer, Written-By – Stephen Broughton Lunt
Arranged By, Written-By – Arthur Stead
Edited By – Tuta Aquino
Executive-Producer – Kate Hyman, Steve Allen (19)
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Steve Peck

NOTES:
From the MCA LP “Brenda K. Starr”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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 9, 2025

Will To Power – Dreamin’ (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in 1987, “Dreamin’” was the debut single from Miami-based dance-pop and freestyle group Will to Power, the project led by producer, DJ, and songwriter Bob Rosenberg. The track would go on to become a regional sensation in South Florida before breaking nationally—establishing Rosenberg’s reputation and setting the stage for Will to Power’s later chart-topping success.

A Song from the Heart

Behind its shimmering synths and club-ready rhythm lies a deeply personal story. Rosenberg wrote “Dreamin’” as a tribute to his twin sister Robin, who had passed away. The song’s yearning tone and heartfelt lyrics capture the emotional complexity of loss, remembrance, and faith in something beyond the tangible. This emotional core gives “Dreamin’” a depth not always found in freestyle music—transforming it from a simple dance record into something profoundly human.

Originally released locally on Rosenberg’s own Thrust Records, “Dreamin’” became an underground hit on Miami radio stations like Power 96. Its sustained popularity in the region—reportedly remaining on Power 96’s playlist for more than 30 weeks—caught the attention of Epic Records, who reissued the track nationally in 1987.

Sound and Production

“Dreamin’” perfectly embodies the sound of late-’80s freestyle: crisp drum programming, layered synth melodies, and emotionally expressive vocals. Rosenberg handled much of the production himself, assisted by Derrick Rahming, Fro Sosa, and Keith Morrison.

Background vocals were performed by two of the original members of Exposé, Alejandra “Ale” Lorenzo and Laurie Miller. Their smooth harmonies and emotive delivery elevate the song, blending beautifully with Rosenberg’s lead vocal and adding warmth to its wistful tone.

Several remixes accompanied the release, including the Extended Mix and Manhattan Mix, which amplified the song’s dancefloor appeal without losing its emotional edge.

Chart Success

While not a massive Top 40 hit, “Dreamin’” performed well enough to signal that Will to Power was a group to watch. It reached #15 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Play chart and #1 on the Dance Singles Sales chart, while peaking at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the freestyle community, however, “Dreamin’” was far more than a chart entry—it was an anthem. Its success marked a turning point for Miami’s local dance scene, helping to bring regional freestyle acts to national attention.

Themes and Emotion

The song’s lyrics speak of longing, disbelief, and the thin line between dreams and reality: a voice calling out for connection even when it seems lost. Lines like “Tell me that I’m dreamin’, don’t you stop me from believin’” resonate as both romantic and spiritual—an expression of love, hope, and grief intertwined.

Knowing the story behind the song, listeners can hear it as Rosenberg’s personal way of keeping his sister’s memory alive. Yet it also works universally: anyone who has lost someone or held onto a fading connection can relate to its message.

Legacy

“Dreamin’” remains a cornerstone of Will to Power’s catalog and a defining record of the freestyle era. Its blend of heartfelt storytelling and club-ready production captures the dual nature of so much late-’80s dance music—music that could make you move while breaking your heart just a little.

The record also paved the way for greater things: Will to Power’s self-titled debut album followed in 1988, spawning their #1 pop hit “Baby, I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley.” But “Dreamin’” stands apart as the moment where Rosenberg’s vision—personal, melodic, and distinctly Miami—first came to life.

Final Thoughts

“Dreamin’” by Will to Power is more than a freestyle classic—it’s a love letter, a memory, and a dream preserved in vinyl grooves. Beneath the glossy synths and driving beat lies something rare in dance music: sincerity. Decades later, it still moves both the heart and the feet, proving that sometimes the best songs are born from both loss and hope.

SIDE A:
Dreamin’ (Manhattan Mix) 7:20
Dreamin’ (Instrumental) 4:09

SIDE B:
Dreamin’ (New Mix) 7:40
Dreamin’ (Dub) 3:46

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Will To Power: Dreamin’ (1987)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#50	1987
US Billboard Dance Music / Club Play	#15	1987
US Billboard Hot Black Singles	#40	1987

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49 06830
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle

CREDITS:

Engineer [Re-mix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Mastered By – Vlado Meller
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Bob Rosenberg

NOTES:
Mastered at CBS

From the LP “Will To Power”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.