Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984
From the BTG Archives
NEW 2024 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!
Originally posted January 4, 2012
“Suspense” is a song performed by the American singer-songwriter Toni Basil. Chrysalis Records released it as the second single from her eponymous second album. “Suspense” peaked at #8 on the US dance chart on January 5, 1985.
SIDE A:
Suspense (Club Version) 6:57
SIDE B:
Suspense (Dub Version) 6:05
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | suspense | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play | #8 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 42824, Radialchoice – 4V9 42824, Virgin – 4V9 42824
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design – Janet Perr
- Photography By – Leslie Burke (2)
- Producer – Richie Zito
- Remix – John Luongo
- Written-By – Alan Roy Scott, Brian Short
NOTES:
From the LP “Toni Basil”
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
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Just to elaborate on why Chrysalis didn’t work this single or album, I never saw a copy come into my radio station here in L.A. Chrysalis was about to no longer be an independent label and would soon be swallowed up by E/P/A (Epic/Portrait/Associated labels), aka CBS.
This is a new one for me and an aural delight it is too. I liked her Street Beat 12” single which you posted a while ago.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Marco 🙂
This must have slipped past me the first time you posted. I can see why it made it to No. 8 on the US Dance chart and glad it got the exposure it deserved. Super catchy, I’ll bet if Laura Branigan recorded Suspense it would have been a hit on the Hot 100. Thank you Paul!! A perfect introduction to the Spooky Season!
Missing it was easy I was posting six days a week at that time so I was constantly bombarding you guys with music. It seems Chrysalis Records did not want to promote Toni’s second album. The video is a prime example. Happy Spooky Season 🙂
Her hit song (Mickey), a cover of song from “Racey” called “Kitty” from the 70s… Ugg, we played Mickey in Marching Band… great song, but I burned out of it real fast. Didn’t know she did further songs… She was a cute little thing but was close to 40 when she did Mickey… Now we look back at 40 and think… what a whipper-snapper.
She is 81 now and I saw a video of her recently still dancing 🙂
THANK YOU, PAUL!! I get such a rush when you bring back something back from deep within your archives! And this is a real winner too!! Like Martika pointed out, Miss Toni Basil absolutely deserved more attention to her career. I still don’t know how certain music hits while others miss. It’s terrific that you’re here to give music another chance to be heard and valued or re-valued. I can’t wait to hear the full 12-inch. The fact that John Luongo did the remixes makes me so happy. Mr. Luongo is one of the very, very best. I know he… Read more »
Thank you, Jeff, for your kind words and ongoing support for music and BTG. I like this record more than her other singles; the production is great. I’m surprised there wasn’t a better music video for it, which is probably why it didn’t do well on the Hot 100.
It seems that her true love was choreography, so maybe she wasn’t all that focused on her music career. She seems to have done really well in the choreography world.
Martika, I agree to that. I love her choreography. I know she choreographed the dance sequence in the Monkees’ movie, “Head” which is a real treat. I also loved when she was a guest judge on the show, “So You Think You Can Dance?” She’s marvelous!!
Jeff
Jeff, what I wouldn’t give to be in your car blasting your ‘Paulography’, LOL!!
Thanks, Retro Hound!! It’s so exciting for me getting to hear Paul’s masterful touch on so many personal favorites. Plus, brand new introductions to songs I have never had the pleasure listening to before. I ride and just marvel at the beautiful sonic quality of records that haven’t been released on compact disc before and/or haven’t been released on a streaming platform. Thank goodness that my wife, Karen, drives because I am in such a blissful state and couldn’t drive that well listening to all of Paul’s great music! I keep everyone safe by not driving!! <LOL>
Jeff
Agreed! I revel in both Paul’s sonically unsurpassed recordings and the unique mixes/exclusive tracks!! Funny I’m not sure if you’re a Seinfeld fan, but you reminded me of the one with the Maestro in his car conducting to the music on his stereo, LOL.
Jeff, The Father of the Twelve Inch, Mr. Tom Moulton, once said “I don’t make dance records; I make records you can dance to.” Toni was the go-to gal like Paula Abdul became later for choreography. Toni worked with David Bowie on the Serious Moonlight tour in 1984, probably his most famous and best tour of his career. I can’t believe she’s 81. I also can’t believe I’m…….never mind folks!
Hey DJ XREY,
I love your input on these discussions. You know so much about music from this time period. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with the community here. So many times, I hope that someone associated with a record would comment or reply. Well, you’re the next best thing!
Jeff
Hey Jeff…I try to mentor those younger than I, though in reality the college students I work around impart more knowledge of their world than I do mine. Have a gr8 weekend!
I’m not that young myself, but I always like learning something new and/or fascinating.
Have a great weekend, too!
Jeff
Amazing that you have this 12″. She deserved to be much more than a One Hit Wonder! I think I love just about everything she ever put out, even her 1966 single “Breakaway”. THANK YOU for this meticulous transfer!
And I see we can add another John Luongo Remix to our list!
You’re welcome, Martika. This one is probably my favorite of hers. You are correct she deserved more from the charts.