BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“The Rhythm Divine” is a 1987 song by Yello, and Billy Mackenzie. MacKenzie, lead singer of new wave band The Associates, who had previously worked with Yello on several occasions, provided lyrics and backing vocals. A 12″ was released in the UK featuring Mackenzie on lead vocals.
Internationally the single was released by Yello featuring Shirley Bassey with Billy Mackenzie on backing vocals. Dieter Meier of the Swiss Electro-group Yello, approached Shirley Bassey in 1987 regarding a possible collaboration. “The Rhythm Divine” was said to have been written especially with her voice in mind. The track was produced by Yello with Hubertus Von Hohenlohe as co-producer.
Bassey’s vocals were recorded at Yello’s studio in Zurich. The song blends the electro-pop sound of the 1980s with a classic big Bassey ballad and introduced Shirley Bassey to a younger generation.
SIDE A:
Yello Featuring Billy Mackenzie – The Rhythm Divine (Version Two) 5:50
Composed By, Arranged By – Boris Blank
Engineer – Steve Williams (6)
Featuring – Billy Mackenzie
Mixed By – Ian Tregoning
Written-By – B. Mackenzie*, B. Blank*, D. Meier*
SIDE B:
Yello – Dr. Van Steiner (Instrumental) 4:00
Written-By – B. Blank*
Yello Featuring Shirley Bassey – The Rhythm Divine (Original 7″ Version) 3:34
Backing Vocals – Billy Mackenzie
Featuring – Shirley Bassey
Written-By – B. Mackenzie*, B. Blank*, D. Meier*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – MERXR 253., Mercury – MERXR 253
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve] – Me Company, Yello
Photography By – C. Jungwirth*
Producer – Yello
NOTES:
Track A mixed in August 1987.
Billy Mackenzie appears courtesy of WEA Records Ltd.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: 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 USED:
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
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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Dearest Paul,
I have to comment again over this masterpiece. Played it for Karen this weekend and we both were in a blissed-out swoon!! And, like you said, I do believe that Billy’s version is the diamond on the record. So sensual and deeply erotic even. Perfect for intimate sessions of beautiful love making. So sad Billy is no longer with us. This man is a “Divo” in every way!!
Thank you Paul for this marvelous discovery. You really are a light in all of our lives!!
Jeff
One of my all-time favourites….I thought I had every version of this track in HQ, but apparently the 3.34 edit on this single isn’t in my collection. It gets confusing sometimes! Just worked out that the Billy version I’ve got under The Associates, from The Glamour Chase CD, but the number of different edits/mixes of the Shirley vocal is crazy. (And Dr Van Steiner was always a standout for me from the One Second LP).
Thanks so much for posting.
Such an exceptional track. Having never heard it before, I was floored by both vocalists, and while I knew Billy could wail, I didn’t think he could out-Bassey Bassey. Thanks so much for brightening my week with this gem.
WOW! You surprised me again… As a big Yello fan I tried to have all their tracks and I thought my colletion was complete. I was wrong, thank you for such a rarity Paul.
OMG This has to be my all-time favourite Yello track, along with the B-Side. The combo of Shirley, Billy and the band was peerless.
I haven’t stopped listening to this track since it was first released (as well as the totally sublime Tool in Rose).
Thanks for posting this and your hard work. It’s very much appreciated.
Cheers, John.
Goodness, Paul. I´m awestruck. NEVER heard the Billy version before. When I red you posted “The Rhythm Divine” I thought, “Lovely. Great song. Will have a listen later.” And just now I notice that it´s a different version. I LOVE it. And that doesn´t even capture it. I´m spellbound. I´ve always loved Ms Bassey´s version but this one is the icing on the cake.
Awesome.
I agree with you Billy’s version is amazing the way his voice soares at the end takes your breath away. 🙂
His performance of this song is one of my all-time favorite vocals.
Amazing work Paul, you did it again.
As I recall Billy did the same thing to Heart of Glass of Blondie (which would you have by any chance?). almost the same as Debbie Harry’s voice, even better, just a male one.
Keep up the good work Paul. Thanks.
Hugo
THANK YOU Paul!!!!
😀😀😀😀
You’re welcome 🙂
Thanks Paul. The Shirley Bassey version is equally as good too. Please post that if you can in the future.
The Bassey 7″ version is on this post. I prefer Billy’s version his voice is amazing.
Great upload Paul. Very happy with the hi-res von steiner instr, i prefer it to the vocal one, thanks! Fantastic hi-res recording by Yello as always
You’re welcome 🙂
(Insert scream here!) Oh my goodness Paul!! How you do spoil us!! Wow, I never knew about this version until I heard about it from you. I can not wait to hear this. I love Billy’s voice, especially on the Yello album, “One Second” and to have him sing this song is such a rare treat. Again, I am flabbergasted by what you do. I cherish all the music you post and I get especially “hot and bothered” when you post something rare like this. Tremendous Paul!! Isn’t this version quite expensive? I believe it is because of its rarity.… Read more »
I remember paying quite a bit for this record it was only released in the UK so it’s kind of hard to track down. I actually prefer Billy’s version ove the Shirley Bassey version. Nice that they did include the 7″ Bassey version to compare.
I only knew Billy Mackenzie from Yello. I have to say thank you Paul for furthering my listening experience with the many Associates postings on your site. Billy does have that voice. I have loved Shirley Bassey for her James Bond soundtrack additions so I was thrilled that Yello gave her a song to sing. Both vocalists are so classy. Thank you Paul for ripping this one and yesterday’s “A Question of Lust” because they both mean the world to me. You do work so hard on your vinyl extractions. I’m listening to a Donna Summer disc from you rips… Read more »