Tag: Promo

December 19, 2025

The Weather Girls – Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas) (US 12″ Promo) (1983)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: December 13, 2013

“Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas)” is a holiday song recorded by The Weather Girls for their 1983 album Success. Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer wrote the song. It mixes a Christmas theme with a disco-driven sound that fits the group’s early 1980s dance output.

The track had a quiet release. It was issued in the US and the UK as a promotional single and did not chart. This was the case even though a music video was filmed. As a result, the song remained hard to find and easy to miss during its original run.

The Weather Girls began as Two Tons o’ Fun and featured Izora Armstead and Martha Wash. Both singers brought gospel power and strong presence to the dance floor. The duo scored several dance hits, with their biggest success coming in 1982.

That peak arrived with “It’s Raining Men,” a song that became a defining moment in dance music. “Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas)” followed soon after and shows the same mix of humor and confidence, set against a festive backdrop.

For this holiday season, I have given this disco banger a meticulous new audio transfer. It brings new clarity to a track that has long deserved a closer listen.

SIDE A:
Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas) (Vocal) 6:30

SIDE B:
Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas) (Instrumental) 6:14

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – AS 1790
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Hi NRG, Disco

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Charles Koppelman
Producer – Paul Jabara
Written-By – P. Jabara*, P. Schaffer*

NOTES:
Demonstration Not For Sale
Taken From The Columbia/Entertainment Co. LP “Success” BEC 38997

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 18, 2025

Bobby Brown – “Every Little Hit” Megamix (US 12″ Promo) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When Bobby Brown released Don’t Be Cruel in 1988, he didn’t just dominate radio—he owned the dance floor. Even years after its initial release, the album continued to generate club interest, and one of the more intriguing artifacts from that era is the promo-only single “Every Little Hit (Megamix)”, issued in the United States as a promo single sent out to radio stations, and DJ record pools.

Unlike a standard commercial release, Every Little Hit (Megamix) was created strictly as a DJ tool, servicing clubs and radio mix shows that were hungry for nonstop Bobby Brown energy. Rather than focusing on a single track, the megamix stitches together highlights from Don’t Be Cruel, effectively functioning as a rapid-fire celebration of the album’s biggest moments. It’s Bobby at full throttle—hooks stacked on hooks, beats barely given time to breathe, and an overall sense that this was designed to keep dance floors moving without interruption.

Megamixes like this were a staple of the late ’80s and early ’90s club scene. They served multiple purposes: a sampler for casual listeners, a transition-friendly weapon for DJs, and a reminder of just how many hits an artist had accumulated in a short period of time. In Bobby Brown’s case, the format made perfect sense. Don’t Be Cruel was packed with chart-toppers and club favorites, and hearing them collide in one continuous mix only reinforced how dominant his run truly was.

Because it was promo-only, Every Little Hit (Megamix) never received the kind of widespread recognition that his commercial singles did. It was not found in record store bins, and many fans never knew it existed unless they were plugged into club culture or radio at the time. That scarcity has helped turn it into a bit of a cult item today—especially among collectors who appreciate the unique role promo 12″s played in shaping how dance music was heard and experienced.

Every Little Hit (Megamix) stands as a snapshot of an era when remix culture was booming, DJs were tastemakers, and record labels understood the power of the club. It may not be the most talked-about Bobby Brown release, but it’s a fascinating reminder that sometimes the most exciting records were the ones never meant for the general public—only for the booth, the floor, and those lucky enough to hear them in the moment.

SIDE A:
“Every Little Hit” Mega Mix (Club Version) 8:58
A.1 Every Little Step
A.2 On Our Own
A.3 Don’t Be Cruel
A.4 My Prerogative

SIDE B:
“Every Little Hit” Mega Mix (Radio Edit) 6:11
B.1 Every Little Step
B.2 On Our Own
B.3 Don’t Be Cruel
B.4 My Prerogative

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – L33-18116
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: RnB/Swing

CREDITS:

Co-producer – Bobby Brown (tracks: A.4, B.4)
DJ Mix [Megamix] – Steve Anderson
Executive-Producer – Louil Silas, Jr.*
Producer – Gene Griffin (tracks: A.4, B.4), L.A. And Babyface* (tracks: A.1 to A.3, B.1 to B.3)

NOTES:
Includes special edits of “Every Little Step”, “On Our Own”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “My Prerogative”. Inspired by Bobby’s mega hit “Dance… Ya Know It!” and “Don’t Be Cruel” albums.

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.

November 15, 2025

Scritti Politti – Perfect way (US 12″ Promo) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

REPOST

This is a repost after I accidentally deleted the original; now freshly updated and ready to share again. Originally posted on December 24, 2024.

“Perfect Way” was only a modest hit in the UK, topping out at #48, but it went on to become Scritti Politti’s biggest U.S. success. The track entered the Billboard Top 40 on October 26, 1985, spent 13 weeks on the chart, and ultimately climbed to #11.

What makes this release especially interesting is that the version of “Perfect Way” on the A-side of this single is exclusive to this pressing—nowhere else features this exact mix. It’s distinct from the François Kevorkian mix issued on the standard UK and German 12″ singles, and it also runs longer than the U.S. 12″ mix by Alan Meyerson, François Kevorkian, and Josh Abbey (credited collectively as Committee). Although the label lists the runtime incorrectly, the true length clocks in at 7:24.

+De-notes vinyl-only

SIDE A:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Mix Extended)+ 7:24
Mixed By – Alan Meyerson, Francois Kevorkian*, Josh Abbey

SIDE B:
Perfect Way (Single Version) 4:03
Mixed By – John Potoker

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – PRO-A-2357
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Gamson*, Maher*, Green*
Recorded By – Howard Gray

NOTES:
Original version available on the Warner Bros. album CUPID & PSYCHE 85

Promotional Copy Not For Sale

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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

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.

November 13, 2025

Sade – The Sweetest Taboo (US 12″ Promo) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in late 1985 as the lead single from Promise, Sade’s sophomore album, “The Sweetest Taboo” is a silky, sunlit groove that effortlessly blends jazz, pop, and soul into one of the most distinctive sounds of the decade. The track was written by Sade Adu and bandmate Martin Ditcham and produced by Robin Millar, who also helmed their debut Diamond Life.

Where Diamond Life introduced the world to Sade’s cool sophistication, Promise deepened the palette—more organic, more textured, and more confident. “The Sweetest Taboo” perfectly captures that evolution. Built around a gentle Latin-tinged rhythm, velvety guitar, and understated percussion, the song creates a mood that feels both romantic and timeless.

Lyrically, Sade describes a love so deep it feels almost forbidden—a passion that transcends words. Her vocal delivery is intimate and soothing, floating effortlessly over the groove. “There’s a quiet storm / And it never felt like this before,” she sings, inviting listeners into a serene emotional space few artists could craft so delicately.

The single became one of Sade’s signature hits, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1986. It also found success across Europe, further cementing the group’s status as global icons of refined, emotive pop. The accompanying music video, directed by Brian Ward, mirrors the song’s warmth—featuring Sade in desert landscapes and dreamlike imagery that evoke both freedom and longing.

“The Sweetest Taboo” is more than just a hit single; it’s a defining moment in 1980s music—smooth yet soulful, intimate yet sophisticated. Nearly forty years later, its gentle rhythm and Sade’s unmistakable voice still sound like the essence of quiet passion.

SIDE A:
The Sweetest Taboo (Short Version) 4:24

SIDE B:
The Sweetest Taboo (Long Version) 5:27

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Sade: The Sweetest Taboo (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Billboard Hot 100	#5	1985/86
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary	#1	1985/86
US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	#3	1985/86
UK Singles Chart	#31	1985/86
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#12	1985/86

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Portrait – RAS 2219
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Smooth Jazz, Soul

CREDITS:

Engineer [Production] – Mike Pela
Producer – Robin Millar
Written-By – Ditcham*, Adu*
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Lacquer Cut At – Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Produced For – Modern Media Ltd.
Published By – Silver Angel Music, Inc.

NOTES:
DEMONSTRATION
NOT FOR SALE
Taken From The Portrait Lp: “PROMISE”

“Long Version” is also known as “Extended Version”.

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.