Tag: UK

January 15, 2025

Blancmange – What’s Your Problem? (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive -1985

“What’s Your Problem?” is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 27 August 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe and produced by Stewart Levine, the song captures Blancmange’s signature blend of synth-driven melodies and witty lyrics.

Upon its release, “What’s Your Problem?” achieved moderate chart success, peaking at No. 40 in the UK Singles Chart and climbing to No. 30 in Ireland. A music video accompanied the single, gaining heavy rotation on the European music TV channel Music Box, further solidifying its presence during the mid-’80s synth-pop wave.

The 12″ Single Details:

One of the highlights of the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is its extended mix, offering fans a longer and more immersive version of the track. Interestingly, this extended mix is not explicitly mentioned on the sleeve or label, making it a subtle yet noteworthy feature for collectors and fans alike.

“What’s Your Problem?” is an extended mix but this is not mentioned on the release.

“Side Two” is an extended version of “22339” from the “Believe You Me” album.

“Living On The Ceiling” is the original 12″ version.

The inclusion of “Living On The Ceiling” on this 12″ single adds an extra layer of appeal, giving listeners a chance to enjoy one of Blancmange’s most beloved tracks in its original extended form.

Legacy

“What’s Your Problem?” may not have achieved the same level of success as some of Blancmange’s earlier hits, but it remains a memorable piece of their discography. The track showcases the duo’s knack for crafting catchy synth-pop tunes while exploring themes with a touch of humor and irony. For fans of ’80s synth-pop, the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is a must-have, thanks to its unique extended versions and its nod to the band’s earlier success with “Living On The Ceiling.”

SIDE A:
What’s Your Problem? 6:58
Producer –Stewart Levine

SIDE B:
Side Two 7:35
Producer –John Owen Williams*, Neil Arthur

Living On The Ceiling 5:37
Producer – Mike Howlett
Remix – Dennis Weinrich, John Owen Williams

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – BLANX 9, London Records – 882 073-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Artwork [Sleeve Conjured Up At] – Assorted Images
Written-By – Arthur*, Luscombe*

NOTES:
‘Living On The Ceiling’ not mentioned on back cover.

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.

January 9, 2025

Radio Heart Featuring Gary Numan – Radio Heart (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987

“Radio Heart” by Radio Heart featuring Gary Numan is a 1987 single that combines the talents of the British electronic music legend Gary Numan with the production of Hugh Nicholson, a former member of the Marmalade. Radio Heart was a project led by Nicholson and centered around collaborations with various artists, with Gary Numan being the most prominent contributor.

The single reached #35 on the UK Singles Chart, marking one of Gary Numan’s notable appearances in the mid-1980s outside his solo work.

The song was part of a series of releases under the Radio Heart name, blending catchy synthpop hooks with the moody, futuristic edge of Numan’s vocal and stylistic signature. While “Radio Heart” wasn’t a massive chart hit, it remains a memorable track for Numan fans and synthpop enthusiasts alike.

SIDE A:
Radio Heart (Extended Mix) 6:03
Featuring – Gary Numa

SIDE B:
Radio Heart (Instrumental) 4:22

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: GFM Records – GFMT 109
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Mar 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: New wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – David Nicholson, Hugh Nicholson
Written-By – Hugh Nicholson

NOTES:
Metalwork by Musitech, High Wycombe.

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.

December 20, 2024

Material With Nona Hendryx / Cristina – It’s A Holiday / Things Fall Apart (UK 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1981

A Festive Throwback: Two Gems from the Original ZE Records Christmas Compilation.

This rare U.K. 12″ promo spotlights two standout tracks from the original 1981 release of A Christmas Record, the now-iconic holiday compilation by ZE Records. A unique blend of experimental and festive, the album became a cult classic, and these two tracks exemplify its groundbreaking style.

The first track, “It’s a Holiday” by Material featuring the soulful vocals of Nona Hendryx, was recorded during the same sessions that produced the band’s single “Bustin’ Out.” Nona, fresh off her years with Labelle and on the cusp of her 1980s solo career, became a favorite vocalist for Material’s mastermind, Bill Laswell. Her commanding presence on this track bridges the gap between funk, soul, and the avant-garde.

The second offering, “Things Fall Apart,” is a No Wave masterpiece by Cristina, an enigmatic artist known for her fusion of punk’s edge with disco’s infectious grooves. This track marked Cristina’s first collaboration with the innovative production duo Was (Not Was). Her trailblazing approach paved the way for artists like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, blending camp, self-awareness, and undeniable danceability in a way that was ahead of its time.

Both songs are presented here in their unaltered, original 1981 versions. Later reissues of A Christmas Record featured edited or altered takes, but this special promo preserves the brilliance of the original recordings in their purest form.

For fans of experimental holiday music, these tracks are must-listens—a perfect reminder of how ZE Records turned the Christmas album concept on its head, offering something truly bold and unforgettable.

SIDE A:
Material With Nona Hendryx – It’s A Holiday 7:12
Producer – Material

SIDE B:
Cristina – Things Fall Apart 4:34
Producer – The Was Bros*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Min

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ZE Records – IPR 2052, Island Records – IPR 2052
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Disco

NOTES:
Pre-Release Limited Edition

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.

November 26, 2024

Various – Happy Christmas From The Stars (UK 7″ Flexi-disc)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1982

Season’s Greetings!

I originally shared this post way back on December 22, 2012, but a good friend of the site suggested it was worth revisiting to kick off the Christmas season. After giving it some thought, I agreed—it’s a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit. While I didn’t create a new transfer for this one, there’s only so much you can do with a 44-year-old flexi-disc. That said, I’m excited to share it again and wish you all the best this holiday season and beyond!

“Happy Christmas From The Stars” is a promotional-only flexi-disc single featuring spoken-word holiday messages from various 80s pop stars. It was released in the UK in 1982 as a collaboration between Smash Hits, Levi’s, and Lyntone Records. The disc was included as a freebie with the December 9-22, 1982 issue of Smash Hits magazine.

This promotional item was tied to Levi’s “Accessory Kit 3” campaign for their black Levi jeans. Interestingly, the idea for the single came from Neil Tennant, who was then Smash Hits’ news editor and would go on to fame as a member of the Pet Shop Boys.

As with most flexi-discs, the audio quality isn’t stellar—they’re notorious for that. However, I’ve done my best to restore the recording while preserving some of the original crackle, which I believe adds to its charm. The full recording includes the Levi’s promo segments for a complete vintage experience.

Enjoy, and Happy Christmas!

—DjPaulT

SIDE A:
Happy Christmas From The Stars (Part 1) 6:12

SIDE B:
Happy Christmas From The Stars (Part 2) 6:14

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Very Good
Sleeve: Near Mint (generic)

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Smash Hits! Magazine – LYN 12570/1, Levi’s – LYN 12570/1
Format: Flexi-disc, 7″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1982
Genre: Non-Music
Style: Spoken Word, Holiday

CREDITS:

Concept By [Idea] – Neil Tennant
Featuring – ABBA, ABC, Adam*, Bananarama, Bucks Fizz, Captain Sensible, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Fun Boy Three, Haircut One Hundred, Imagination, Madness, Mari Wilson, Musical Youth, Steve Strange, The Jam, Piranhas*, Police*, Toyah, Ultravox
Producer – Trevor Dann
Recorded By – Mark Ellen

NOTES:
Smash Hits promotion for ‘Accessory Kit 3’ with ‘Black Levi’ brand jeans by Levi’s.

Made in Britain by Lyntone London.

Buy the Flexi 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.