Tag: William Orbit

February 5, 2026

The Human League – Heart Like A Wheel (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Previously posted March 13, 2015

Heart Like a Wheel — The Human League’s Synth-Pop Statement Gets a New 2026 Transfer

In the landscape of British synth-pop history, few acts cast a shadow as long as The Human League. Best known to casual listeners for flagship hits like “Don’t You Want Me” or “Human,” the band’s 1990 single Heart Like a Wheel remains a fascinating, sometimes overlooked chapter in their catalogue — now brought into fresh focus with a new 2026 meticulous audio restoration transfer that rediscovered its sonic heft for modern ears.

A Minor Hit with Major Intent

Originally released on 6 August 1990 as the lead single from the album Romantic?, Heart Like a Wheel marked a bold if moderate commercial return for The Human League entering the new decade. Against a backdrop of fading chart momentum for 80s synth icons, the track managed respectable placements across several territories. In the United Kingdom it peaked at No. 29 on the Official Singles Chart, logging several weeks on the listings. In the United States it reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, while Australia saw it hit No. 64 on the ARIA charts.

Lyrics as Social Commentary

Far from a simple pop confection, Heart Like a Wheel channels political and existential undercurrents that were increasingly rare in mainstream synth-pop of the era. The lyrics evoke a world becoming mechanised and emotionally detached, where individuals feel both propelled and alienated by forces beyond their control. The refrain — “Heart like a wheel, turning away from anything that’s real” — captures this sense of emotional rotation and disconnection, a heart spinning yet somehow moving away from authenticity.

Other lines — referencing “selling your soul to a holy war” or the futility of using weapons like an M16 to solve problems — underline a critique of violence, propaganda, and the erosion of meaningful engagement with reality. The imagery suggests a world where the “wheel” of society keeps turning on cold, unfeeling steel rather than warmth and human connection.

Production and Performance

Written by former band member Jo Callis and Eugene Reynolds, the track features the signature blend of synthesizers, layered vocals, and anthemic choruses that typify The Human League’s style. Produced by Martin Rushent, whose earlier work with the group helped define their sound in the early 80s, Heart Like a Wheel brought the band’s classic sensibilities into a post-New Wave context — balancing polished pop craft with introspective edge.

The 2026 Meticulous Audio Restoration Transfer

The 2026 transfer of Heart Like a Wheel is more than a simple needle-drop: it’s a meticulous audio restoration aimed at unveiling layers of detail that were buried or subdued in my previous transfer. This new transfer brings greater clarity to the synth textures, a defined presence to the vocal interplay between Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall, and Susan Ann Sulley, and a wider dynamic range that honours both the emotional and rhythmic dimensions of the original recording. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this version offers a chance to hear the song with fresh ears — as a statement piece of synth-pop social reflection that resonates even decades after its debut.

Legacy

While Heart Like a Wheel was not a defining chart topper, it has endured in live sets and fan circles for its energy and message, proving that not all influence is measured by chart peaks alone. With the 2026 restoration bringing new life to a classic synth-pop single, listeners have an ideal moment to revisit a track that blends pop accessibility with thoughtful, questioning lyricism — reminding us why The Human League’s catalogue still matters in the pop canon.

SIDE A:
Heart Like A Wheel (Extended Mix) 6:50
Remix – Mark Saunders

SIDE B:
Heart Like A Wheel (LP Version) 4:28

Heart Like A Wheel (7″ Remix) 4:28
Remix – William Orbit

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – The Human League: *Heart Like A Wheel* (1990)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Billboard Hot 100	#32	1990
US Billboard Alternative Songs	#17	1990
UK Singles Chart	#29	1990
Australia Singles Chart (ARIA)	#64	1990
West Germany	#36	1990

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – 75021 2336 1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer, Mixed By – Martin Rushent
Written-By – Eugene Reynolds, Jo Callis

NOTES:
From the LP Romantic?

Recorded at Genetic Sound

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.

December 10, 2025

Camouflage – Handsome (Germany 12″) (1991)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Today we’re stepping into an overlooked corner of early-’90s synthpop with “Handsome,” a track that deserved far more attention than it ever received. Released only in Germany as the second single from Camouflage’s 1991 studio album Meanwhile, “Handsome” marks a fascinating moment in the band’s evolution—one that often gets overshadowed by their late-’80s classics.

By the time Meanwhile arrived, Camouflage were already known for sleek, melodic synthpop craftsmanship, thanks to earlier hits like “The Great Commandment” and “Love Is a Shield.” But Meanwhile pushed them in a more organic, band-driven direction, integrating live instrumentation while still keeping their electronic backbone intact. “Handsome” sits right at the center of this stylistic shift.

Produced by a Synthpop Legend

A major part of what makes “Handsome” noteworthy is the involvement of producer Colin Thurston, whose résumé reads like a map of synthpop’s golden age. Thurston, of course, worked his magic on early Duran Duran, helped shape David Bowie’s landmark “Heroes”, and guided the earliest recordings of Talk Talk. His production touch on “Handsome” gives the track a polished, dynamic heft that blends Camouflage’s melodic sensibilities with the more muscular, rhythmic textures that defined early-’90s pop.

A Single That Slipped Through the Cracks

Despite its pedigree and strong production, “Handsome” ultimately failed to chart, making it one of Camouflage’s more obscure singles. Its limited German-only release didn’t help, but even so, it remains a gem for fans of the band and collectors of early-’90s synthpop. There’s an earnestness to the song—a push toward growth and reinvention—that reflects where Camouflage were artistically at the time.

The non-charting status doesn’t diminish its charm. If anything, it adds to the single’s cult appeal. It’s one of those tracks that rewards rediscovery, especially for listeners who enjoy the transition era between the analog synthpop of the ’80s and the increasingly hybrid sound of the ’90s.

Rediscovering Meanwhile Through “Handsome”

Revisiting “Handsome” today is a reminder that Camouflage were never content to simply repeat themselves. The band’s willingness to explore new textures, paired with Thurston’s experienced hand in the studio, results in a track that’s both quintessentially Camouflage and quietly adventurous.

If “Handsome” slipped past you the first time, now’s the perfect moment to give it a fresh listen. For fans of synthpop’s deeper cuts—and especially collectors of productions by Colin Thurston—this single is well worth pulling off the shelf again.

SIDE A:
Handsome (Psycho-Ray-Mix) 6:32
Instruments [Add. Instruments] – Ronda Ray
Mixed By – James Herter (2), Ronda Ray
Producer – Colin Thurston
Written-By, Composed By – Camouflage

SIDE B:
Love Is A Shield (12″ US Orbit Mix) 8:10
Engineer – Richard Dight
Producer – Axel Henninger*
Remix, Producer [Add. Production] – William Orbit
Vocals [Add. Vocals] – Sharon Musgrave
Written-By, Composed By – Heiko Maile, Marcus Meyn, Oliver Kreyssig, Peter Godwin

This Day 3:47
Producer – Colin Thurston
Written-By, Composed By – Camouflage

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Metronome – 867 495-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Camouflage

NOTES:
A) Mixed at Atlantis Studio.
B1) Mixed at Guerilla Studios.

Made in Holland.

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.

June 25, 2025

Malcolm McLaren And The House Of McLaren – Deep In Vogue (UK 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Today’s Pride Month post dives into one of the boldest pre-mainstream celebrations of ballroom culture: Deep in Vogue by Malcolm McLaren and the House of McLaren. Released in 1989—before Madonna brought voguing to the masses—this track was a cultural time capsule and a tribute to the underground scene that shaped a generation of queer identity, dance, and fashion.

Malcolm McLaren, best known as the former manager of the Sex Pistols, was no stranger to subculture. With Deep in Vogue, he turned his fascination to New York’s ballroom scene—specifically the voguing houses that thrived in Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. Collaborating with Mark Moore (of S’Express) and William Orbit, McLaren sampled raw audio from Paris Is Burning (prior to its theatrical release), as well as original beats, house grooves, and runway-ready attitude.

This wasn’t just music—it was documentation.

The single features the fierce chant: “Strike a pose! Strike a pose!” long before those words became iconic. It features contributions from members of the House of McLaren, and it’s steeped in the language, style, and pageantry of ballroom culture. Unlike the glossy pop of Madonna’s “Vogue” the following year, this record feels gritty, real, and reverent—a beat-driven love letter to the creativity and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities who carved out safe spaces in a hostile world.

This 12″ helped usher voguing into the mainstream without stripping away its defiance. It’s a celebration from the underground rather than about it. A song that not only embraces Pride, but helps define it through self-expression, movement, and the refusal to apologize.

For anyone passionate about queer history, dancefloor evolution, or the intersections of activism and art, Deep in Vogue remains essential listening. It’s more than a house track—it’s a mirrorball manifesto.

The song’s music video features none other than Willie Ninja, the legendary godfather of voguing, whose style, grace, and competitive fire helped define an era. His presence in this video is not just fierce—it’s foundational. Willie helped bring ballroom to the world stage, and his legacy continues to inspire dancers, artists, and activists today.

Tragically, like so many icons from this period, Willie Ninja was lost to AIDS-related complications in 2006. His story, and that of countless other queer talents of color, is a heartbreaking reminder of how the HIV/AIDS epidemic devastated an entire generation of artists, thinkers, and performers. Deep in Vogue doesn’t just celebrate a culture—it preserves it, and the people who made it unforgettable.

💿✨ Celebrate Pride. Celebrate expression. Celebrate the ballroom.

SIDE A:
Deep In Vogue (Banjie Realness) 9:04
Producer – David Lebolt, Malcolm McLaren, Phil Ramone
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Mark Moore, William Orbit

SIDE B:
All Night Long 4:55
Producer – Malcolm McLaren

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – WALTZ T6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Malcolm McLaren (tracks: A)
Remix – Mark Moore (tracks: A), William Orbit (tracks: A)

NOTES:
Made in the U.K.
From the LP “WALTZ DARLING”

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.

October 9, 2024

Prince – Batdance (US 12″ Promo)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1989

NEW 2024 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Originally posted October 31, 2012

“Batdance” is a fascinating blend of musical innovation and pop culture, showcasing Prince’s ability to fuse different elements into a cohesive track. Released in 1989 as part of the “Batman” soundtrack, it became a significant hit, reaching number one in the U.S. and marking Prince’s return to the top of the charts after several years.

The last-minute decision to replace “Dance with the Devil” highlights Prince’s instinct to prioritize the song’s tone, opting for something more upbeat and energetic. The song’s structure is unique, with its dynamic shifts between chaotic beats and funk, which reflects the duality of the Batman character itself.

Incorporating snippets from various unreleased tracks and even the classic 1966 “Batman Theme,” “Batdance” serves as a rich tapestry of Prince’s musical ideas. The use of film dialogue adds an immersive layer, connecting the song directly to the movie’s narrative.

The U.S. 12″ promo’s exclusive radio edits further emphasize Prince’s meticulous approach to his music, catering to different formats while maintaining the essence of the track. Overall, “Batdance” not only captured the zeitgeist of its time but also solidified Prince’s status as a versatile and visionary artist.

*De-notes exclusive vinyl-only

BAT SIDE:
Batdance (The Bat Mix) 7:16
Batdance (The Bat Mix Radio Edit)* 4:10

THIS SIDE:
Batdance (Vicki Vale Mix) 5:57
Batdance (Vicky Vale Mix Radio Edit)* 4:15

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1989	Batdance	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#1
1989	Batdance	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks	#1
1989	Batdance	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#1
1989	Batdance	U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs	#18

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – PRO-A-3702
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Dance-pop, Minneapolis Sound, House

CREDITS:

Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Mark Moore, William Orbit
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

NOTES:
Generic black sleeve with die-cut circular hole which the label can be viewed

Side A label:
[1989 Batman™ logo on orange background]

Side B label:
[tracklist & credits, track B2 appears incomplete as “Batdance (Radio Edit)”]
Promotion Only. Not For Sale. From the Motion Picture Soundtrack album Batman™” a Warner Bros. film

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 3.0 (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.