BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“Fascination!” is an EP released by British synthpop band The Human League in May 1983. The EP was issued as a stop-gap release in between the albums Dare (1981) and Hysteria (1984). Released in the US, it was made available in Europe as an import.
The original vinyl release of Fascination! contained six tracks, including two versions of their single “(Keep Feeling) Fascination” as well as “Mirror Man”, both of which were hits in the UK and the U.S.
Also included is “Hard Times”, which was originally the B-side of their 1981 hit “Love Action” and also appears on the band’s 1982 remix album Love and Dancing.
The featured version of “I Love You Too Much” is an earlier version of the song that would later be released on the band’s Hysteria album in 1984.
The Fascination! reached #38 in Canada and #22 on the US Billboard Hot 200 albums and EP chart.
SIDE A:
(Keep Feeling) Fascination-Extended 4:57
Remix – Chris Thomas
Mirror Man 3:48
Written-By –Burden*
Hard Times 4:52
Written-By – Wright*
SIDE B:
I Love You Too Much 3:18
Written-By – Burden*, Wright*
You Remind Me Of Gold 3:26
(Keep Feeling) Fascination-Improvisation 6:12
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Fascination! | U.S. Billboard Hot 200 | #22 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12501
Format: Vinyl, LP, 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, B – Electrosound Pressing
Country: US
Released: May 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Martin Rushent, The Human League
Written-By – Callis* (tracks: A1 to B1, B3), Oakey* (tracks: A1 to A3, B2, B3)
NOTES:
This version has a black sleeve. It was also released with a light grey-colored sleeve.
“B” on the bottom of labels (next to A&M logo) denotes an Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc. pressing.
Find the Mini-LP at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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
Password: burningtheground
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A zillion thanks for another excellent quality VinylRip of a classic!!
~ Queertone
Awesome! I have this excellent EP, but I know my rip is not as good as yours. Thanks again.
Fabulous!
hi paul, where would we be without the human league. they single handedly changed my life, and my direction in music with the massive ‘dont you want me’ ruling the airwaves here in america. thanks to the british import sound, that came with soft cell – tainted love, and gary numans cars, this really broke through. yes, i had heard the buggles – video killed the radio star, and m – pop muzik, which set them up. the synth sound, and the bands were going to change america. not every british band made it through. like ultravox which never got… Read more »
Amazing!
Thanks so much for posting this. The Human League are my all time favourite band so I always get excited when I see a new post.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you, John. Love your work as well 🙂
Thanks Paul!
Ian Burden has been contributing bass guitar to Parralox for over 10 years now, so it’s pretty amazing to have such a connection.
FYI – I bought the 12″ vinyl from Missing Link in Geelong, at the same time as New Order – Confusion 12″. That was a truly mindblowing day. And those records still amaze me decades later.
Thanks for the upload! Was blown away to find out – and quite recently – that the high-pitch synth sounding line in Fascination is actually a Roland Guitar Synth. Crazy!
That is too cool 🙂
Oh man, your blog is SUCH a joy in these strange days (I’m unemployed for the first time in 30+ years, my Mom is in the hospital, and Covid is all around us)… and to check in today and see this post. What a gift. I loved loved loved the Human League and have everything on vinyl… but not being as gifted as you in the transfer process, I’ve only heard this one on vinyl for lo these past 38 years. Can’t wait to have a digital copy. So YES… even in these strange days, we must keep optimistic, we… Read more »
You’re welcome, Grant I will keep Howard and more Human League in mind when I am thinking of doing new transfers. Say safe send you best wishes 🙂
Thank you!
I tried so hard to buy a copy of this at the time …
Sometimes they were hard to find 🙂
Paul, what you do is second to none in preserving these memories. Bravo!
I remember at the time being a little disillusioned when Mirror Man, then Fascination shortly after were released. Dare! was such a statement that it sounded like they were getting “poppy”! Over time these songs became loved just as much as those before.
PS: Congratulations on the new site! It works beautifully and the layout is just getting better and better.
Thank you so much criscles 🙂
I had this on cassette! I couldn’t find the vinyl 🙁 Thanks for the great post!
Very cool, Fred did your cassette have a grey or black cover?
It should be this: https://www.discogs.com/The-Human-League-Fascination/release/569144
Nice 🙂
thanks you very much amazing post thanks dear Paul
You’re welcome, janick 🙂
This ep was EVERYTHING when it first came out!
I agree Dean this one was a must-have back in the day.
Thanks for the great rip of this Paul! I really appreciate the crisp HD art as much as the recording itself. You should be commended on that angle too. I know the efforts it takes to make the images right and proper, after all the scanning and photoshop! 🙂
Thank you Rob appreciate you 🙂
Thank you
Thankyou Paul.
You’re welcome, Omar 🙂
The “Improvisation Mix” is my favorite version of “(Keep Feeling) Fascination” which made me love Martin Rushent so much. Back then, studio trickery and edits were the stars of the day. The 12-inch at the time was a real mind trip. I would hunt through the record bins to find music by producers and mixers more than the artists themselves. But I adore Human League and I’m grateful to you Paul for keeping their dance 12-inch discography alive!
Jeff
My favorite track on this release is “I Love You Too Much” I feel like I hear some Blondie inspiration in that track. Wish it would have been a single. I Love Martin Rushent’s work. 🙂
One of the most quintessential ’80s songs ever made! It’s so great to see this out there Paul. It’s not only brings back a lot of memories but it takes me right back to them too. You’re awesome! Thanks for this gem!
You’re welcome, Douglas 🙂