Tag: UK

September 17, 2025

Kaja – Shouldn’t Do That (Disciplined) (UK 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

If you’ve followed the quirky trajectory of Kajagoogoo, you know their journey from the breakout synth-pop of White Feathers to the more experimental corners of their later work was anything but predictable. By 1985, the band, now simply billed as Kaja, released their third album, Crazy Peoples Right to Speak, and with it came a single that encapsulated both their pop sensibilities and their willingness to push boundaries: “Shouldn’t Do That.”

Released by Parlophone/EMI America, “Shouldn’t Do That” didn’t storm the charts like their early hits, peaking at #63 in the UK, but it remains a fascinating slice of mid-80s new wave. Its layered synths, driving rhythm, and unmistakable melodic flair demonstrate that even as the band evolved, they retained the catchy hooks that made them a staple of early-80s British pop.

Interestingly, the single also found a home beyond the record charts. It was included in the soundtrack of 1985’s Santa Claus: The Movie, adding an unexpected pop edge to the festive film. For many fans, this placement cemented the track’s quirky charm—playful enough for a family movie, yet still very much a product of Kaja’s distinctive new wave style.

“Shouldn’t Do That” may not be the band’s most famous track, but it’s a perfect snapshot of a group experimenting with identity, sound, and expression in the mid-80s. For collectors, 80s enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the paths Kajagoogoo/Kaja explored after their initial fame, it’s an essential listen.

SIDE A:
Shouldn’t Do That (Disciplined) 6:58
Mixed By – Ken Scott

SIDE B:
Charm Of A Gun 4:27
Backing Vocals – Lezlee Cowling
Guitar [Solo] – Michael Thompson
Mixed By – Nick Beggs, Paul Ryan (2), Steve Askew (2), Stuart Croxford Neale

Shouldn’t Do That (Undisciplined) 5:59
Mixed By – Nick Beggs, Paul Ryan (2), Steve Askew (2), Stuart Croxford Neale

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12R 6106
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – The Square Red Studio
Drums – Dave Mattocks*
Guitar – Steve Askew (2)
Lacquer Cut By – Nickz*
Lead Vocals, Bass – Nick Beggs
Photography By – Peter Ashworth
Producer – Ken Scott
Vocals, Keyboards – Stuart Croxford Neale
Written-By – N. Beggs*, S. Askew*, S. Neale*

NOTES:
Made in England

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.

September 10, 2025

Classix Nouveaux – Forever And A Day (UK 12″) (1983)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the early 1980s, Classix Nouveaux had firmly carved out their place in the New Wave and post-punk landscape. Formed in London in 1979 from the ashes of X-Ray Spex, the band — fronted by the charismatic Sal Solo — quickly became known for their striking visual style, theatrical performances, and polished, synth-driven sound.

One of the gems in their catalog is “Forever and a Day,” a single released in 1983 from their third studio album Secret. By this point, Classix Nouveaux had refined their sound, moving away from the rawer edges of their early work toward a sleeker, more atmospheric approach.

A Shift in Sound

“Forever and a Day” captures the essence of this evolution. Built on shimmering synth textures, driving bass lines, and Sal Solo’s dramatic, soaring vocals, the track balances melancholy with romantic optimism. The production feels cinematic, reflecting the broader trend in early-to-mid ’80s New Wave toward lush, layered arrangements.

While the band never quite broke through on the same scale as contemporaries like Ultravox or Duran Duran, tracks like “Forever and a Day” show they had all the right ingredients — powerful hooks, emotional depth, and undeniable style.

Release & Reception

Issued as a single in 1983, “Forever and a Day” wasn’t a major chart hit, but it cemented Classix Nouveaux’s reputation as cult favorites in the New Wave scene. In some territories — particularly across Europe and in markets like Poland, where the band enjoyed a surprising level of popularity — the song gained significant airplay.

The single was accompanied by a 12″ release, which offered an extended version remixed ny Phil Thornalley (Johnny Hates Jazz, The Cure) aimed at dancefloors and club DJs. This longer version gave the band’s synth arrangements more room to breathe, making “Forever and a Day” a perfect fit for the era’s club culture.

Legacy

Though Classix Nouveaux disbanded shortly after the release of Secret, songs like “Forever and a Day” have stood the test of time, rediscovered by collectors and fans of the 12″ remix format. The track remains a shining example of how New Wave blended electronic experimentation with pop sensibility — dramatic, stylish, and achingly heartfelt.

For many fans, “Forever and a Day” is more than just a single — it’s a reminder of the fleeting brilliance of a band that deserved a bigger spotlight.

SIDE A:
Forever And A Day (Extended Version) 6:46
Mixed By – Phil Thornalley
Strings – Ann Dudley
Written-By – Mik Sweeny, Sal Solo

SIDE B:
Switch (Full Length Version) 6:41
Written-By – B.P. Hurding, Mik Sweeny*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Liberty – 12BP 419
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave

CREDITS:

Producer – Alex Sadkin
Sleeve – Edward Bell

NOTES:
Rear sleeve: Lyrics reproduced by kind permission of Chappell Music Ltd.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for 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.

August 28, 2025

Bangles – Following (UK 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When most people think of The Bangles, it’s their sparkling 80s pop hits that come to mind—Walk Like an Egyptian, Manic Monday, or In Your Room. But buried within their catalog is one of their most haunting and understated songs, Following, a stark ballad that stands apart from the rest of their repertoire.

Written and sung by bassist Michael Steele, Following was chosen as the band’s fifth single from their massively successful Different Light album and released in April 1987 across Europe. Uniquely, it became the only Bangles single to feature Steele on lead vocals.

Musically, Following is a world away from the shimmering harmonies and Paisley Underground jangle the band was known for. Stripped-down acoustic guitar, mournful cello, and Steele’s hushed, confessional delivery make it one of the most intimate recordings of their career. Its lyrical core—quiet devotion and quiet longing—gives the song a timeless quality, closer to the English folk stylings of Nick Drake than to mainstream 80s pop.

For its single release, Following was slightly edited, trimming most of the outro from the album version. The 7″ was backed with Dover Beach, a track from their 1984 debut All Over the Place. The 12″ single sweetened the deal with the “Bangles Hit Mix,” a megamix that stitched together the band’s earlier hits: Manic Monday, If She Knew What She Wants, Walk Like an Egyptian, Walking Down Your Street, and Going Down To Liverpool.

Unfortunately, no music video was filmed to support the release, and the group did little to promote the single. As a result, Following had only modest chart success, peaking at #55 in the UK and faring best in Ireland, where it reached #22. It failed to chart in other European territories. The song was never released as a single in the U.S., leaving it as something of a hidden treasure for fans who dug deeper than the radio hits.

Even so, Following remains a standout in The Bangles’ discography. It gave Michael Steele her one and only chance to take the spotlight on a single, and showed a darker, more contemplative side of the band that still resonates with listeners today. Haunting, fragile, and deeply personal, it’s one of those songs that lingers long after the last note fades.

SIDE A:
Following 3:00
Written-By – M. Steele*

Dover Beach 3:46
Written-By – S. Hoffs, V. Peerson

SIDE B:
Bangles Hits Mix 14:39
DJ Mix – Mark Chamberlain

B1.1 Manic Monday
Written-By – Christopher

B1.2 If She Knew What She Wants
Written-By – J. Shear*

B1.3 Walking Down Your Street
Written-By – D. Kahne, L. Gutierrez, S. Hoffs*

B1.4 Going Down To Liverpool
Written-By – K. Rew*

B1.5 Walk Like An Egyptian
Written-By – L. Sterberg*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS – BANGS T2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – David Kahne

NOTES:
Made in England.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for 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.

August 26, 2025

Stevie Nicks – Long Way To Go (UK 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in July 1989, Long Way to Go was the second single from Stevie Nicks’ fourth solo album The Other Side of the Mirror. Coming off the Top 20 success of “Rooms on Fire,” the follow-up single showcased a grittier, more rock-driven side of the album.

Lyrically, the song brims with defiance, often interpreted as Nicks working through the fallout of past relationships. With sharp guitar riffs, heavy percussion, and Stevie’s urgent vocal delivery, it carried an edge that set it apart from the more dreamlike, ethereal textures elsewhere on the record.

Chart-wise, the single found a stronger reception on rock radio than the pop charts. It reached #11 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and climbed to #60 on the U.K. Singles Chart, though it did not appear on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its modest commercial showing, the track has remained a fan favorite, with its fiery spirit and biting lyrics standing out as one of the album’s highlights.

Over time, “Long Way to Go” has earned its place as an overlooked gem in Stevie’s solo catalog—proof of her ability to channel heartbreak into strength and resilience. Even when the road ahead seemed uncertain, her music made clear she was determined to keep moving forward.

I couldn’t find a music video for this single. According to the internet, one was released in May 1989.

SIDE A:
Long Way To Go (Remix) 6:23
Engineer, Mixed By – Stephen W. Tayler
Producer – Rupert Hine
Songwriter – C. Judge*, Rick Nowels, Stevie Nicks

SIDE B:
Long Way To Go (7″ Version) 4:01
Producer – Rupert Hine
Songwriter – C. Judge*, Rick Nowels, Stevie Nicks

Real Tears 4:42
Mixed By – Shelly Yakus
Songwriter – Rupert Hine, Stevie Nicks

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1989	Long Way To Go	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock	#11

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI – 12EM 97, Modern Records – 12EM 97
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1989
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Design – Bill Smith Studio
Lacquer Cut By – Arun*
Photography By – Paul Cox (5)

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for 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.