Burning The Ground Exclusive
Double Discovery: Yaz & Sunfire – A Sire Records Promo Exclusive
Today’s post is a Double Discovery courtesy of Sire Records—two standout tracks from two very different but equally essential acts of the early ’80s. This special promotional 12″ brings together synth-pop and soul/funk on one slab of vinyl, offering a rare pairing that’s both surprising and satisfying.
Side A: Yazoo – “Don’t Go” (Long Version)
Kicking things off is the synth-pop classic “Don’t Go” by the English duo Yazoo (known simply as Yaz in North America). While the label lists this as the “Long Version,” what’s actually pressed here is a unique edit of the “Re-Mix + Re-Re-Mix” found on most commercial 12″ singles—making this version exclusive to this promotional release. A high-energy track driven by Vince Clarke’s signature synth work and Alison Moyet’s powerhouse vocals, “Don’t Go” climbed all the way to #1 on the US Billboard Dance Chart and remains a dancefloor staple.
Side B: Sunfire – “Shake Your Body”
Flipping the record, we dive into a soulful, funk-infused groove from New York-based trio Sunfire. Their track “Shake Your Body” is a tight, feel-good jam produced by none other than Reggie Lucas—best known for his work on Madonna’s “Borderline.” Sunfire only released one self-titled album in 1982 before quietly disbanding, but this track shows they certainly left behind a few gems.
This promo 12″ not only showcases the diversity of Sire Records’ roster at the time but also delivers two dancefloor-ready cuts that span genres and styles. A must-have for collectors and fans of early ’80s dance music.
SIDE A:
Yaz– Don’t Go (Long Version) 5:57
Written-By – Clarke
Yaz– Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I) (LP Version) 4:40
Written-By – Moyet
Yaz– Bad Connection (LP Version) 3:18
Written-By – Clarke
SIDE B:
Sunfire– Shake Your Body (Long Version) 5:22
Written-By – Dean Gant, Rowland Smith
Sunfire– Shake Your Body (Edit) 3:33
Written-By – Dean Gant, Rowland Smith
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – PRO-A-1072, Warner Bros. Records – PRO-A-1072, Mute – PRO-A-1072
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Promo, Double Discovery
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Synth-pop, Funk
CREDITS:
- Noises, Producer [Additional] – Daniel Miller (tracks: A1 to A3)
- Producer – E.C. Radcliffe* (tracks: A1 to A3), Reggie Lucas (tracks: B1, B2), Yaz* (tracks: A1 to A3)
NOTES:
Promotional Copy – Not For Sale.
On cover: Double Discovery.
Side A: From the Sire Album Upstairs At Eric’s (1-23737)
Side B: From the Warner Bros Album Sunfire (1-23730)
Made in U.S.A.
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
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!
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… Alison Moyet (known simply as Moy in North America).
Thank you for another obscure rarity, just when I thought I had everything by Yazoo. Vince and Alison should have never split. It seems he always looked for a similar sounding singer in his subsequent projects, including Fergal Sharkey and Andy Bell. I often wonder what Erasure would sound like with Alison on vocals.
Absolutely agree—and thank you! Just when you think the collection is complete, something unexpected pops up from the vaults. 😊 I’ve often had the exact same thought—Vince and Alison were such a lightning-in-a-bottle pairing. There’s definitely a pattern in his post-Yazoo projects of chasing that same vocal magic, and while Fergal and Andy each brought their own brilliance, there’s just something about Alison’s haunting, soulful delivery that hits differently. An alternate universe with Alison fronting Erasure? Now that would be something to hear… Thanks again for the great insight and for being part of the BTG journey! All the best,… Read more »
It’s never too late. She still sounds great! Even if they just collaborated for an Erasure covers album (and for good measure a cover of Never Never by The Assembly) … one can only dream!
Vince Clarke is most welcome. I liked the Yazoo singles, this version is cool to have and hear. Alison Moyet released some great 12”s during the 80’s, i know you have posted some of these over the years. I remember buying the debut album Alf on vinyl.
The Reggie Lucas track is one of my new favourites and such a shame it didn’t get more airplay back then.
Thanks Paul
Thank you! I’m really glad you enjoyed this version—it’s always fun digging up alternate or promo edits, especially when they bring a fresh twist to already-classic tracks like the Yazoo singles. And yes, Alison Moyet really delivered some fantastic 12″ releases in the ’80s—Love Resurrection, Invisible, Is This Love?—all so rich in production and vocal power.
Totally agree on the Reggie Lucas track too—it’s such a gem. That groove deserved way more love on the airwaves, but I’m thrilled to help give it some overdue attention now.
Thanks again for listening and for the support—it means a lot!
Cheers
I think you nailed this in one of your comments Paul. This vinyl gem was tailor-made to be showcased here. This double A-sided promo really shows what was so special about the era. Not to mention how influential Yaz were. There’s nothing like that post-disco sound that was still packing the dance floors! That sound we all love was best exemplified, IMHO, by artists like Yaz, Sylvester and Reggie Lucas. And, of course, this Yaz track was immortalized by Teri Hatcher on the club stage in the movie Tango & Cash, Lol. Thank you Paul!!
Thank you, Retro Hound—what a fantastic comment! You summed it up beautifully. This era was something special, and double A-sided promos like this one captured that crossover magic between innovation and pure dancefloor energy. I couldn’t agree more—Yaz, Sylvester, Reggie Lucas… each brought their flavor to that post-disco, early synthpop sound that still hits so hard today. And YES to that Tango & Cash moment—Teri Hatcher grooving to Don’t Go in that club scene is iconic! I love that this music still connects on many levels, from crate-digging rarities to pop culture snapshots. I appreciate your kind words and passion;… Read more »
Didn’t know about this release Paul, will be interesting to hear the exclusive edit. 🙂 Thank you.
Hey there, Jermajesty! 😊
So glad this one caught your eye—it’s definitely one of those under-the-radar releases that even big fans might have missed. The exclusive edit adds a little something different, so I hope you enjoy the listen. Thanks for checking it out and for your kind words!
Cheers,
Paul 🎶
Paul, thanks for Sunfire! It’s an awesome jam and always made a good mix with the way the 32 beat intro is structured. I remember ABC’s ‘Look of Love’ (released at similar time) really overlayed nicely with Sunfire’s 16 bar extended break (same or complementary song keys). This track never really got the traction it deserved – but who would want their release on the flipside of Yaz’s dynamic follow-up to ‘Situation’? Warner released a few double-A sided promos during this time. I don’t think most DJ’s ever checked the track out due to ‘Don’t Go’s’ out of the box… Read more »
Absolutely love your comment—thank you! You nailed it on so many levels. That 32-beat intro on Sunfire’s Shake Your Body really was DJ gold—perfect for blending, and your pairing with ABC’s Look of Love sounds inspired. I totally agree that the track didn’t get the spotlight it deserved, and being tucked behind Yaz’s Don’t Go (which was unstoppable at the time) certainly didn’t help. Reggie Lucas’ production is so underrated—Physical Attraction and Shake Your Body both have that rich, warm low end that just filled the floor. I’m glad you appreciated this one as much as I do. Part of… Read more »
Wow a rare edit I don’t have! Thanks! Huge fan of Vince and Alison! Her solo stuff from the 2000’s is simply brilliant. Those who haven’t heard it I highly recommend the minutes & Hometime, but all of her stuff is aces. Great post!!
You’re welcome 🙂
Hey Paul!!! What an absolute find!! You truly are an amazing procurer of the coolest twelve-inch singles!! I was so obsessed with Yazoo when their music came out! I’ve only known them as “Yazoo” because my Sire Records 12-inch disc of “Situation” had “Yazoo” on it when I first bought it. Even when I bought their “Upstairs At Eric’s” LP, the label put a sticker over the name with “Yaz.” It was really cool. I later found out that the name of Yazoo was taken by an American band of the same name. Anyway, this is an incredible find. I… Read more »
Hey Jeff!!! Your energy is electric—thank you so much for the awesome message! I love hearing your Yazoo story—those early Sire pressings with the Yazoo/Yaz sticker drama are a real piece of 80s vinyl lore. I totally remember that confusion around the name, and you’re right, the U.S. Yaz name switch was all thanks to that blues band with prior claim. Still, no matter the name, that Vince and Alison magic was undeniable. I’m thrilled you’re excited about this promo—Don’t Go is such a monster track, and pairing it with Shake Your Body just makes the whole 12″ a total… Read more »
Hey Paul,
Loved “Big hugs and synth basslines”
You’re tremendous!
Jeff
A guilty pleasure is the cheezy Italian cover “Oozay – Scratching Situation”, which not only captures that 80s yolo Italo electronic music era while incorporating Clarke synth melodies. One of those rarities, “not bad meaning bad but bad meanining good”, as DMC used to say. More early 80s Italo please …
I have never heard the records you mentioned now I am intrigued 🙂
Thanks for another cool share Paul.
It’s been ages since i last heard Don’t Go and Alison Moyet’s voice.
peace,
dj
You’re welcome, dj 🙂
Hi, Paul, who the heck is TAZ? 😉
Sorry ’bout the smartassing AND thank you for the exclusive YAZOO track, never heard or read about it.
Kind regards
Christian
Hey Christian! 😄
Haha—no worries at all! TAZ does sound like he could’ve been a one-man synthpop project with a keytar and wild hair! Totally made me laugh. And thank you for the great comment—I’m so glad you enjoyed the Yazoo track! It really is a bit of a hidden gem, and I love being able to share these lesser-known pressings with fellow fans who appreciate them.
Cheers,
Paul
PS: Typo corrected.