Tag: UK

November 18, 2025

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

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

On April 21, 2014, I first shared the UK 12 “release of “Perfect Way” by Scritti Politti, taken from the album Cupid & Psyche 85. Today’s revisit comes with a fresh transfer and a meticulous new audio restoration, giving this record the clarity it deserves.

For collectors of Scritti Politti vinyl, the UK 12″ release of Perfect Way is a fascinating piece of the band’s discography. Pulled from the landmark album Cupid & Psyche 85, this edition stands out not just for its sleek design but for the music etched into its grooves.

The real treasure here lies on the B‑side: the “Version – Extended Mix.” Unlike the more widely available mixes, this cut is exclusive to the UK 12″ pressing and has never surfaced on any other format. For fans and archivists, that makes it a genuine rarity — the kind of track that rewards digging through crates or scouring auction listings.

On the A‑side, you’ll find the “Extended Mix,” which, despite its name, isn’t a unique UK remix. Instead, it matches the U.S. album version, offering a subtle reminder of how releases often blurred across markets in the mid‑’80s.

For anyone building a complete Scritti Politti collection, this single is more than just another 12″ — it’s a snapshot of how regional pressings could carry hidden gems, and why collectors still chase these variations decades later.

SIDE A:
Perfect Way (Extended Mix) 4:30

SIDE B:
Perfect Way (Version – Extended Mix) 5:02

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Virgin ‎– VS 780-12
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Artwork By [Design] – Keith Breeden (DKB) with Green
Guitar – Allan Murphy*, Nick Moroch
Mixed By – François Kevorkian
Producer, Drums – Fred Maher
Producer, Keyboards, Written-By – David Gamson
Producer, Vocals, Written-By – Green Gartside
Recorded By – Howard Gray

NOTES:
Manufactured in U.K.

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 12, 2025

Vitamin Z – Circus Ring (We Scream About) (Remix) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Sheffield-based pop duo Vitamin Z made their debut in 1985 with the album Rites of Passage, a record that blended stylish synth-pop with touches of rock and soul. One of its standout tracks is “Circus Ring,” a shimmering, emotional single that captures the lush, cinematic sound Vitamin Z became known for.

Formed by Geoff Barradale (vocals) and Nick Lockwood (bass and keyboards), Vitamin Z were part of the mid-’80s wave of UK bands who brought intelligence and sophistication to pop music. Their sound was sleek yet heartfelt—think a cross between Tears for Fears, The Blow Monkeys, and early Simple Minds—with an emphasis on melody, mood, and atmosphere.

“Circus Ring” was released as a single in 1985, following their debut hit “Burning Flame.” Produced by Ross Cullum (known for his work with Tears for Fears and Howard Jones), the song features a sweeping arrangement built on chiming guitars, shimmering synth textures, and Barradale’s emotive vocals. The lyrics use circus imagery as a metaphor for love and vulnerability, reflecting the bittersweet tone that runs throughout Rites of Passage.

The 12″ version of “Circus Ring” expands on the album cut with a fuller, more dynamic mix. Extended instrumental passages allow Lockwood’s basslines and the song’s layered percussion to shine, creating an immersive experience that showcases Cullum’s meticulous production. It’s a perfect example of how the extended mix could transform a great pop song into something truly cinematic.

Although Vitamin Z never achieved widespread commercial success beyond “Burning Flame,” they’ve maintained a loyal following among fans of sophisticated ‘80s pop. Songs like “Circus Ring” highlight the duo’s gift for combining emotional depth with stylish production—proof that even in an era of glossy pop, there was still plenty of heart beneath the surface.

SIDE A:
Circus Ring (We Scream About) (Remix) 7:00

SIDE B:
Circus Ring (We Scream About) (7″ Version) 4:40
Don´t Stop (To Listen To His Music) 3:57

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – MERX 186
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – JB*
Photography By – Brian Aris
Recorded By, Producer – Ross Cullum
Written-By – Barradale*, Lockwood*

NOTES:
From the album “Rites Of Passage”

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.

November 7, 2025

Belouis Some – Jerusalem (UK 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the mid-1980s, British singer-songwriter Belouis Some (born Neville Keighley) emerged with a stylish, synth-driven sound that fused pop hooks with an art-rock edge. Following the success of “Imagination” and “Some People,” his next single, “Jerusalem,” found him exploring a darker, more introspective side — a moody, atmospheric track that underscored his reputation as one of the era’s more intriguing voices.

Released in July 1986 as the fourth and final single from his debut album Some People, “Jerusalem” failed to make much commercial impact, peaking at #98 in the UK. Yet for fans and collectors of 1980s 12″ records, it remains a fascinating release — a deep cut brimming with sonic detail, haunting imagery, and a beautifully produced extended version.

The Sound of “Jerusalem”

Produced by Pete Schwier, Steve Thompson, and Michael Barbiero, “Jerusalem” blends shimmering synths with a steady pulse and a quietly powerful vocal from Belouis Some. The result is both cinematic and mysterious — a song that feels as much about atmosphere as melody.

Thompson and Barbiero, whose production credits include work with David Bowie, Talking Heads, and The Psychedelic Furs, brought a transatlantic sheen to the track. Their 12″ remix amplifies its tension and texture, pulling the listener into a shadowy emotional space that fits perfectly within the late-night synthpop aesthetic of 1986.

Lyrically, the song’s imagery is evocative rather than literal:

“You paint your face like it’s Jerusalem,
You lead the way like Jerusalem…”

Even Belouis Some admitted the track was “a bit depressing… just me trying to be clever,” but that introspection gives the song its depth. Its ambiguity, combined with his Bowie-esque delivery, creates a sense of isolation and grandeur that makes it linger long after the final notes fade.

The 12″ Single

The UK 12″ (Chrysalis CHS 12 2969) offered fans two versions of “Jerusalem” — a Long Version and an Instrumental Version — alongside an exclusive Dance Mix of “Target Practice”, another track from Some People that gets a muscular, rhythmic reworking here.

For collectors and DJs, this makes the 12″ essential. The mixes emphasize the song’s layered production and underscore Belouis Some’s ability to merge sophistication with dance-floor sensibility.

Critical Response

Although it didn’t climb the charts, “Jerusalem” was well received by critics who recognized its depth. Smash Hits described it as “haunting” and “David Bowie-inspired,” an apt comparison given the theatrical vocal phrasing and dark romantic tone. In hindsight, “Jerusalem” stands as one of Belouis Some’s most artful moments — sophisticated, moody, and meticulously crafted.

Legacy

For 12″ enthusiasts, “Jerusalem” represents exactly what makes 1980s vinyl culture so enduring: extended versions that breathe, production that rewards close listening, and B-sides that surprise. The addition of the “Target Practice (Dance Mix)” gives this release extra value, showing how Belouis Some and his producers viewed remixing as an art form rather than an afterthought.

It may not have topped the charts, but “Jerusalem” remains a rewarding listen — a slice of mid-80s sophistication that bridges pop ambition with post-new wave introspection. For those who collect, spin, or simply admire the craft of 12″ singles, this one’s a must-hear.

There was not a music video produced for this single.

SIDE A:
Jerusalem (Long Version) 5:56
Jerusalem (Instrumental Version) 5:54

SIDE B:
Target Practice (Dance Mix) 6:02

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12 R 6134, Parlophone – 12R 6134
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synthpop

CREDITS:

Design – Accident (8)
Photography By – Eric Watson (3)
Producer – Belouis Some (tracks: A1, A2), Pete Schwier (tracks: A1, A2), Steve Thompson • Michael Barbiero*
Remix – Joe Melotte* (tracks: B), Martin Freeland (tracks: B)
Written-By – Belouis Some

NOTES:
From the LP “SOME PEOPLE”

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.

November 6, 2025

Spandau Ballet – To Cut A Long Story Short (UK 12″) (1980)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: January 22, 2018

“To Cut a Long Story Short” was Spandau Ballet’s debut single, released on November 3, 1980, and it quickly became a defining anthem of the New Romantic movement, reaching No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart.

Origins and Release

Spandau Ballet emerged from London’s avant‑garde club scene—most famously the Blitz nightclub—where art, style, and music collided. The band had a devoted following before signing to Chrysalis. Written by guitarist Gary Kemp and produced by Richard James Burgess, the single was released on October 31, 1980 and later appeared on Journeys to Glory (1981).

The track set a template for their early sound: synth‑pop blended with art‑pop, new wave, and a touch of disco and funk—an aesthetic that matched the Blitz Kids’ future‑modern dressing and theatricality.

Musical Style

The 7″ single runs around 3:20; the 12″ expands the arrangement for club play, emphasizing rhythmic drive and layered textures. Tony Hadley’s baritone sits atop metallic synth lines and clipped percussion, producing a sound that is at once urgent and stylish. Burgess’s production foregrounds electronic timbres and a crisp sheen that became emblematic of the band’s early aesthetic.

Lyrics and Theme

Cryptic and evocative, the lyrics—lines like “War upon war, heat upon heat, to cut a long story short, I lost my mind”—suggest identity, disorientation, and psychological strain. Some readings place this language alongside images of post‑conflict confusion; others see it as a more personal, emotional unraveling. The ambiguity gives the song its haunting edge.

Cover Art

Part of Spandau Ballet’s deal with Chrysalis was that the band would have control over every aspect of how their music was marketed, including artwork, videos, and the selection of singles. They found much of their creative support at the Blitz club. Blitz regular and Camberwell College of Arts graphics student Graham Smith designed the sleeve for their debut single as well as the album Journeys to Glory and its accompanying singles: The Freeze, Muscle Bound, and Glow.

“I wanted to create an overall corporate visual package for Spandau that was cutting edge and reflected their aspirations. It had to have style,” Smith explained. The minimalist cover art for “To Cut A Long Story Short” reflected the lyric “I am beautiful and clean.” There was no photo of the band, which Gary Kemp thought would be “too risky, given the speed at which styles were changing.” Smith later remarked that this decision, seen as uncommercial by Chrysalis, gave the band mystique and reinforced their autonomy: “It added strength to Spandau as they were clearly stating they were not packaged by the record company but doing things on their terms.”

Reception and Legacy

Upon release the single peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, and helped position Spandau Ballet as leaders of the New Romantic movement. While later singles — The Freeze, Musclebound, and then the more soulful True — explored different textures, this debut remains the clearest statement of the band’s early vision.

Cultural Impact

Fashion and music were inseparable around this record: sharp tailoring, theatrical staging, and club style were part of the package. The single became a Blitz fixture and helped elevate New Romantic aesthetics from underground to mainstream.

SIDE A:
To Cut A Long Story Short (Mix 1) 6:30

SIDE B:
To Cut A Long Story Short (Version) (Mix 2) 3:58

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Spandau Ballet: *To Cut A Long Story Short* (1980)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#28	1980
UK Singles	#5	1980

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Reformation – CHS 12 2473, Chrysalis – CHS 12 2473
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Nov 3, 1980
Genre: Electronic
Style: New wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Graphics – Graham Smith (5)
Producer – Richard James Burgess
Written-By – G. Kemp*

NOTES:
Alternate non die-cut embossed sleeve
Utopia Studios ‘lyre symbol’ etched on the runouts.

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.