Tag: UK

May 7, 2025

Vicious Pink – Take Me Now (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in January 1986, “Take Me Now” marked the final single from the provocative Leeds-based synth-pop duo Vicious Pink. Comprised of Josephine Warden and Brian Moss, the pair had built a cult following throughout the early ’80s with their bold, sensual lyrics and pulsing electronic beats. “Take Me Now” carried forward their signature style but with a more polished, mainstream-friendly sound, reflecting the shifting landscape of mid-’80s synth-pop.

The track was written by John David, a songwriter best known for his work with artists like Status Quo and Cliff Richard. It was produced by Gary Moberley, an Australian keyboardist and producer whose sleek, radio-ready touch gave the song a glossy sheen, contrasting with the rawer edge of the duo’s earlier tracks like “Cccan’t You See” or “Fetish.”

“Take Me Now” layers icy synth textures with Warden’s sultry vocals, conveying urgency and desire with the kind of restraint that made Vicious Pink so intriguing. The song didn’t chart significantly, but it remains a hidden gem of the era—an elegant swan song that closed the Vicious Pink chapter on a sophisticated note.

The 12″ single, released on Parlophone, featured an extended version along with two additional tracks: the hidden gem “I Confess” and “Always Hoping”, both of which showcase the production’s crystalline quality and dancefloor potential. Despite its under-the-radar status, “Take Me Now” has aged remarkably well, offering a glimpse into a band that was always a little ahead of its time—darkly stylish, fiercely independent, and unapologetically provocative.

SIDE A:
Take Me Now (Extended Version) 6:21
Producer – Gary Moberley
Written-By –John David

SIDE B:
I Confess 3:57
Engineer – Martin Webster
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Remix – Gary Moberley
Written-By – Moss, Warden*

Always Hoping 3:55
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Written-By – Moss, Warden

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12PINK 3, Parlophone – 12 PINK 3
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: Jan 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Shoot That Tiger!
Other [Hair] – Donna At Vincent Lonnro
Photography By – Johnny Rozsa

NOTES:
Manufactured in the UK

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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-Ject 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.

May 6, 2025

Tears For Fears – Pale Shelter (You Don’t Give Me Love) (UK 12″) (1985 Re-Issue)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

One of the most hauntingly beautiful early singles from Tears for Fears, “Pale Shelter” perfectly captures the icy, emotional edge that defined much of the duo’s early sound. Originally released in 1982 and then re-recorded and re-released in 1983, the track marked a major turning point for Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith—climbing to #5 on the UK Singles Chart and solidifying their place in the new wave scene.

The title “Pale Shelter” comes from a line in a Henry Moore drawing (Pale Shelter Scene), and like many early Tears for Fears songs, it draws on the theories of Arthur Janov’s primal therapy—focusing on themes of emotional neglect and childhood wounds. Lines like “You don’t give me love / You give me cold hands” speak to a deep sense of disconnection that resonated with a generation of listeners.

In 1985, riding high on the global success of Songs from the Big Chair, Mercury Records reissued “Pale Shelter” with a brand-new cream-colored picture sleeve. This version features the original 1982 extended mix produced by Mike Howlett, not the more widely known 1983 Chris Hughes re-recording.

What makes this reissue special for collectors: both B-side tracks run longer than their original 1982 12″ counterparts. “Pale Shelter” is about 30 seconds longer, while “The Prisoner” adds another 8 seconds of atmospheric synth work.

SIDE A:
Pale Shelter (Extended Version) 6:31
Producer – Mike Howlett

SIDE B:
Pale Shelter 4:31
Producer – Mike Howlett

The Prisoner 2:51
Producer – Tears For Fears

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – idea 212
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Reissue
Country: UK
Released: Sep 2, 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Photography By – Mathew White
Written-By – C. Smith*, R. Orzabal*

NOTES:
M&M Music

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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

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.

March 13, 2025

Spear Of Destiny – Never Take Me Alive (UK 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“Never Take Me Alive” is a 1987 single by the English rock band Spear of Destiny, led by vocalist and songwriter Kirk Brandon. The song was featured on their fourth studio album, Outland, and became their biggest chart success, reaching #14 on the UK Singles Chart.

With its dramatic, almost cinematic lyrics, “Never Take Me Alive” tells the story of a fugitive on the run, willing to fight to the end rather than be captured. The song’s rebellious spirit and Brandon’s passionate, commanding vocal performance made it a standout track of the era. Musically, it blends post-punk, new wave, and alternative rock, with an anthemic chorus and driving instrumentation that set it apart from the more polished pop of the mid-’80s.

Spear of Destiny had built a cult following in the UK, and “Never Take Me Alive” remains one of their signature tracks. The song’s themes of defiance and resilience continue to resonate, making it a favorite among fans of ’80s alternative rock.

In the UK 10 Records released a limited edition double 12″ vinyl of their single “Never Take Me Alive,” featuring special edits by renowned producer and remixer Omar Santana. This version offered an extended take on the original track, showcasing Santana’s distinctive production style. The double pack also included an Omar Santana version of “Land of Shame,” another track from the band’s repertoire.

SIDE A:
Never Take Me Alive (Omar Santana Version) 8:33
Edited By [Super Edits By] – Omar Santana
Producer – Zeus B. Held

SIDE B:
The Man That Never Was 3:09
Producer – Brandon, Barnacle

SIDE C:
Land Of Shame (Omar Santana Version) 5:11
Edited By [Super Edits By] – Omar Santana
Producer – Zeus B. Held

SIDE D:
Jack Straw 4:25
Producer – Brandon, Barnacle

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: 10 Records – TENZ 162
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 12″, Limited Edition, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Breakbeat, Goth Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design [Sleeve] – Stylorouge
Engineer – Neill King
Illustration – Chris Welch (2)
Written-By – Kirk Brandon

NOTES:
Super Edits on A and C by Omar Santana for The Hit Squad.

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

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.

March 12, 2025

The Icicle Works – Love Is a Wonderful Colour (UK 12″) (1983)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in late 1983, Love Is a Wonderful Colour is the most well-known track by British alternative rock band The Icicle Works. Serving as the second single from their self-titled debut album, the song became the band’s biggest hit, reaching #15 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1984.

Led by Ian McNabb, The Icicle Works emerged from Liverpool’s vibrant post-punk and new wave scene, drawing comparisons to bands like Echo & The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes. Love Is a Wonderful Colour is a perfect example of the band’s signature sound—soaring melodies, grand instrumentation, and poetic lyrics. McNabb’s evocative vocals, combined with dramatic percussion and rich, layered production, create a cinematic feel that sets the song apart from many of its contemporaries.

Lyrically, the song is filled with vivid imagery and a sense of longing, though its exact meaning has been subject to interpretation. McNabb has described it as a song about the beauty and power of love, but its abstract poetry allows listeners to take their own meaning from it.

While The Icicle Works never achieved massive commercial success beyond this track, they maintained a devoted following throughout the 1980s and beyond. Ian McNabb later pursued a solo career, continuing to create music with the same passionate, anthemic quality that Love Is a Wonderful Colour embodies.

This song remains a standout for fans of 1980s alternative and new wave music—a timeless, euphoric anthem that captures the era’s grand, romantic spirit.

SIDE A:
Love Is A Wonderful Colour (Long Version) 6:44
Mixed By – Hugh Jones
Producer – David Lord

SIDE B:
Waterline 4:01
Producer – The Icicle Works

In The Dance The Shaman Led 3:43
Producer – The Icicle Works

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Beggars Banquet – BEG 99 T, Beggars Banquet – BEG 99(T)
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Nov 4, 1983
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Indie Rock

CREDITS:
Written-By – McNabb*

NOTES:
B1, B2 produced with thanks to John Brierley

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.