Tag: US

March 25, 2026

Louie Louie – Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

The late ‘80s and early ‘90s were filled with larger-than-life personalities, and few embodied that flashy, genre-blending spirit quite like Louie Louie. A singer, dancer, and actor with undeniable charisma, Louie Louie carved out a unique space in pop with his 1990 hit “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury.” Now, with the news of his passing on March 20 at the age of 63, it feels like the right moment to revisit the song that brought him into the Top 40—and into the memories of pop fans everywhere.

Released as the lead single from his debut album The State I’m In, “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” perfectly captured the slick, polished sound of its era. Built on a groove that blends pop, dance, and a touch of new jack swing attitude, the track showcased Louie Louie’s confident vocal style and flair for theatrical delivery. It wasn’t just a song—it was a statement. And audiences responded.

The single became Louie Louie’s only entry into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, peaking at #19 in 1990. While he never repeated that level of mainstream chart success, the track remains a defining moment of his recording career—a glossy, infectious anthem of indulgence and ambition that still sounds right at home alongside the era’s biggest dance-pop hits.

Before his recording career took off, Louie Louie paid his dues as a dancer in Las Vegas, where he honed the stage presence that would later define his performances. That same charisma caught the attention of pop royalty—he famously appeared as the love interest in Madonna’s iconic 1984 video for “Borderline,” a role that gave him early exposure on MTV and helped establish his on-screen appeal.

By the time he stepped into the spotlight as a recording artist, Louie Louie had already built a strong visual identity—and that carried over into the music video for “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury.” Directed by a then up-and-coming Michael Bay, the clip is a stylish, high-energy affair filled with striking imagery and attitude, hinting at the cinematic flair Bay would later bring to Hollywood blockbusters.

Over the years, Louie Louie released four albums and even found himself connected to the orbit of Prince through collaborations tied to the Paisley Park scene. While he never became a household name on the level of his contemporaries, his work reflects a fascinating cross-section of late ‘80s pop—where dance, R&B, and visual storytelling collided in bold, colorful ways.

“Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” stands today as both a time capsule and a testament: a reminder of an artist who brought style, ambition, and undeniable presence to everything he did. With his recent passing, the song takes on an added poignancy—capturing Louie Louie at his brightest, living out the very dream he sang about.

For those who remember it, it’s a nostalgic return to a vibrant moment in pop history. And for those discovering it now, it’s a perfect introduction to an artist who, if only for a moment, truly sat in the lap of luxury.

SIDE A:
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Sheps Jam – Louie’s Fav) 6:48
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s Dub Deluxe) 6:40

SIDE B:
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s / Dizzy Acid Mix) 5:06
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Urban 7″) 4:14
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s Shortcut) 4:26

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Louie Louie: *Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury* (1990)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#19	1990
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#11	1990
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#17	1990
US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Singles	#74	1990
Australia (ARIA)	#51	1990
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#34	1990

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: WTG Records – 41 73168
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: New Jack Swing, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Engineer [Remix] – Goh Hotoda
Producer – Frankie Blue, Les Pierce
Programmed By – Alan Friedman
Remix – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Les Pierce, Louie Louie (2)

Also available: “The State I’m In” on WTG cassettes, compact discs and records.

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
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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.

March 24, 2026

Donna Lee – Do Or Die (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Reader Request Spotlight
Made possible by a generous donation to acquire the vinyl for this post—thank you for supporting Burning the Ground.

By 1990, the freestyle movement that had dominated dance floors throughout the latter half of the ’80s was beginning to shift. The raw electro-Latin pulse that fueled classics from the genre’s golden era was gradually giving way to a sleeker, more house-influenced sound. It was in this transitional moment that Donna Lee emerged with her club-driven single “Do Or Die.”

Released on CBS Associated Records, “Do Or Die” fits squarely into that late-period freestyle mold—polished production, extended club arrangements, and a clear focus on DJs rather than radio. The single was produced by Ritchie Jones, whose work has spanned artists such as Taylor Dayne, Jennifer Lopez, Brenda K. Starr, and Paul Lekakis—adding notable pedigree to an otherwise under-the-radar release.

The standout “Clubhouse Mix” leans heavily into the evolving sound of the time, blending freestyle’s emotional vocal delivery with tighter house rhythms and layered synth textures. Meanwhile, the dub mixes strip things down for mixing flexibility—offering percussion-heavy breakdowns, extended intros, and instrumental passages that made records like this essential tools in club sets.

While Donna Lee never achieved the visibility of freestyle heavyweights like Trinere or Denine—artists who managed to break into broader recognition and even release full-length albums—her output represents a different but equally important side of the genre. She appears to have released only a handful of singles, with no known full album, placing her firmly in the category of freestyle’s lost voices—artists whose work lived primarily on vinyl and in the clubs.

That context makes “Do Or Die” all the more compelling. It’s not a crossover hit or a radio staple—it’s a DJ record, built for late-night sets, where extended mixes mattered and the dance floor dictated success. Records like this were often pressed in limited quantities, distributed to DJs and specialty shops, and rarely documented beyond their physical releases.

Freestyle itself was still thriving regionally at the time—especially in cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles—though by the early ’90s it would begin to fade from mainstream attention as house and other dance styles took over . That places “Do Or Die” right at the tail end of an era—one foot in freestyle’s emotional core, the other stepping toward the future of club music.

Today, the single stands as a deep-cut artifact of freestyle’s final chapter—the kind of record that never left the underground but continues to resonate with collectors and DJs who appreciate the genre’s evolution.

If you were digging through bins in the early ’90s, this is exactly the kind of record you hoped to find—something unfamiliar, mysterious, and built strictly for the dance floor.

And sometimes, those are the ones that last the longest.

SIDE A:
Do Or Die (Clubhouse Mix) 7:06
Do Or Die (“Do” Dub) 7:44

SIDE B:
Do Or Die (Crossover Mix) 4:42
Do Or Die (“Die” Dub) 5:02

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS Associated Records – 45 73367
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Freestyle

CREDITS:

Edited By [Edits By] – Chep Nuñez
Engineer [Engineered By] – Mario “Not Rude” Rodriguez*
Executive-Producer – Dr. Cool (4), Timothy “T.K.” Olphie*
Keyboards, Overdubbed By [Overdubs] – Eric Kupper
Producer – Danny Obadia, John Beltzer
Recorded By – Billy Esses*
Remix [Remix By] – Richie Jones
Written-By – D. Obadia*, J. Beltzer*

NOTES:
Manufactured and Distributed By CBS Records / CBS Inc. / 51 W 52 Street, New York, N.Y.

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.

March 19, 2026

Newton – Sky High (US 12″) (1994)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the mid-90s, when Eurodance and pop covers were dominating the charts, an unexpected revival of a 70s classic found its way back onto dance floors—this time with a glossy, Hi-NRG sheen.

British singer and former firefighter William Newton Myers—better known as Newton—stepped into the spotlight in 1994 with his debut single, a remake of Sky High, originally recorded by Jigsaw in 1975.

Produced by the hitmaking team of Mike Stock and Matt Aitken—best known for their work as part of the Stock Aitken Waterman empire—this 90s version of “Sky High” trades the original’s orchestral drama for a bright, synth-driven dance arrangement tailor-made for clubs and radio alike.

Interestingly, what began as a one-off studio project had deeper ties to the original than most covers. The track actually features vocals by Des Dyer, the original voice behind the 1975 hit. He even appears in the music video, bridging the gap between eras. Following the single’s success, Myers himself was brought forward as the face—and voice—of the project, giving it a consistent identity moving forward.

And success it was. “Sky High” climbed to No. 8 in Australia in April 1995, earning a gold certification and proving that a well-produced cover could still capture the public’s imagination nearly two decades after the original’s release.

Newton would go on to build a career largely centered around reimagining familiar songs for a new generation, finding particular success in markets like Australia, the UK, and Brazil. His polished vocal style and accessible dance productions made him a reliable presence in 90s pop.

In 1998, he released his debut album, Sweetest Secret, further cementing his place in the era’s pop landscape.

While purists may always favor the original, Newton’s “Sky High” stands as a perfect example of 90s nostalgia done right—respectful of its source, yet updated with enough energy and style to feel fresh all over again. For many club-goers of the time, this was their version—and it still soars.

SIDE A:
Sky High (Radio Edit) 3:58
Engineer [Mix Engineer] – Peter Day
Mixed By – Seth & Jess Thethub
Written-By – C. Scott, D. Dyer

Sky High (Hiza Kite Mix) 6:48
Mixed By – Mobius Loop
Written-By – C. Scott, D. Dyer

SIDE B:
Sky High (Kaiser Height Mix) 6:28
Mixed By – The Red Baron
Written-By – C. Scott, D. Dyer

Up, Down Round & Round 3:51
Mixed By – Neon (15)
Written-By – J. Gingell, M. Stock, M. Aitken

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Newton: *Sky High* (1994)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
Australia (Kent Report)	#8	1994
UK Singles	#56	1994

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Critique – 01624 15536-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre: Electronic
Style: Euro House

CREDITS:

Engineer – Peter Day
Engineer [Assisted By] – Dean Murphy
Musician – J. Gingell*, M. Stock, M. Aitken*
Producer [Uncredited] – Stock/Aitken

NOTES:
The label mistakenly credits Peter Day as the producer, but the correct producer and Peter Day’s actual role are listed above.

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.

March 18, 2026

U2 – Discothèque (US 12″ Promo) (1997)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When U2 returned in 1997 with “Discothèque,” it felt like a shock to the system—in the best possible way.

Released as the lead single from their ambitious album Pop, “Discothèque” saw the band diving headfirst into electronic dance music, club culture, and the glossy excess of the late ‘90s. Produced by Flood, Howie B, and Steve Osborne, the track fused U2’s signature anthemic sound with pulsing beats, distorted grooves, and a heavy dose of irony.

From the opening filtered guitar riff by The Edge, it’s clear this isn’t the same band that gave us The Joshua Tree. Instead, “Discothèque” leans into a sleazy, neon-lit atmosphere—more underground club than stadium rock. Bono delivers lyrics that flirt with decadence and spiritual longing, blurring the line between indulgence and introspection: “You can reach, but you can’t grab it…”

The single was a commercial success, hitting #1 in the UK and topping charts across Europe, while also making a strong showing on the Billboard Hot 100. In the U.S., it also became a major club hit, proving that U2 could successfully reinvent themselves yet again—this time for the dancefloor.

Of course, no discussion of “Discothèque” would be complete without its unforgettable video. Directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, the clip features the band dressed in outrageous costumes—most notably their appearance inside a giant mirrorball—poking fun at both themselves and club culture excess. It perfectly captured the era’s playful, anything-goes aesthetic while reinforcing the band’s willingness to take risks.

For longtime fans, “Discothèque” was initially divisive. Those expecting another With or Without You or One were instead met with a bold stylistic pivot. But in hindsight, that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. Much like their earlier reinvention during the Achtung Baby era, this track showed that U2 refused to stand still.

On the 12-inch and CD single formats, “Discothèque” truly came alive. Various remixes expanded the track’s club appeal, stretching its hypnotic groove into extended dancefloor workouts that fit perfectly alongside the late ‘90s electronic scene. The US 12″ promo that I am featuring today is especially noteworthy, as it includes the “Discothèque (DM Tec Club Mix),” which, as far as I know, remains exclusive to this particular release—making it a must-have for collectors and completists.

Nearly three decades later, “Discothèque” stands as one of the most daring singles in U2’s catalog. It’s a time capsule of late ‘90s experimentation, excess, and transformation—and a reminder that even the biggest bands can still surprise you when they’re willing to take risks.

SIDE A:
Discothèque (DM Deep Club Mix) 6:59

SIDE B:
Discothèque (DM Tec Club Mix) 7:20

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – U2: *Discothèque* (1997)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#1	1997
US Billboard Hot 100	#10	1997
US Billboard Mainstream Rock	#6	1997
UK Singles	#1	1997
Scottland Singles	#1	1997
Norway	#1	1997
New Zealand	#1	1997
Ireland	#1	1997
Italy	#1	1997
Finland	#1	1997
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#2	1997
Canada Dance/Urban	#1	1997
Canada Rock/Alternative	#1	1997
Australia	#3	1997

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Island Records – PR12 7398-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1997
Genres: Electronic, Pop
Styles: House

CREDITS:

Decks [Original], Loops [Original], Recorded By [Original] – Howie B.
Mastered By [Original] – Howie Weinberg
Mixed By [Original] – Conal Markey
Mixed By [Original], Recorded By [Original] – Mark “Spike” Stent*
Producer [Original] – Flood
Recorded By [Original] – Femio Hernandez, Rob Kirwan
Remix – David Morales, Satoshi Tomiie

NOTES:
For Promotional Use Only – Not For Sale

“Discothèque” contains samples from “Fane” by Freeform. Courtesy of Skam Records.

Mastered at Masterdisk – New York

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.