Madonna – Oh Father (Japan Reissue 3″ CD Single)
March 19, 2010 at 11:27 PM | Posted in Madonna | 16 CommentsTags: Oh Father, Pat Leonard
REQUEST FROM READER NICO IN ITALY
“Oh Father” is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her fourth studio album Like a Prayer. It was released as the fourth single from the album on October 24, 1989 by Sire Records.
The song first debuted at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 single chart during the week of November 11, 1989. The song became Madonna’s first single since “Holiday” in 1984 not to enter the top ten in theUnited States, peaking at number 20 on the week of December 30, 1989 . This ended her streak of 16 consecutive top five singles and 17 consecutive top ten singles.
Outside the U.S. the song was only a modest hit. It is to date Madonna’s lowest charting single in Australia, where it only reached number 59, breaking a run of twenty consecutive top forty singles.
“Oh Father” was not released as a single in the United Kingdom and Ireland until December 25, 1995, when it appeared on Something to Remember. The song peaked at number 16 on the UK singles chart and number 25 in Ireland.
This reissue CD single was part of the 1996 Japan CD Single Collection (click here to see my post about it), it was not available separately.
The original 3″ CD was released in 1989, below is the original longform packaging:
In my opinion a brilliant ballad, probably her most underrated. Maybe audiencies were not ready for these more mature and confessional lyrics from the woman who sang “Like A Virgin” five years before.
Label:
Catalog Number:
WPDR-3122
Track Listing and Details:
1. Oh Father (Edit) (4:29)
2. Spanish Eyes (5:17)
All tracks produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Password: steptothebeatblog
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Madonna – Rescue Me (The Dub Remixes)
November 30, 2009 at 7:30 PM | Posted in Madonna | 7 CommentsTags: Madonna, Remix, Rescue Me, Shep Pettibone
After the positive response to the first “Rescue Me” post, I decided to create a second one with the rare dub versions, three of which are only available on this US promotional 12″ single. They are all excellent in my opinion, and as with all dub versions, quite refreshing when you’ve listened to the main club mixes a million times.
This 12″ vinyl double pack came in a white sleeve with a sticker, pictured above.
Definition of Dub In Pop/Dance Music
Dub is genre of music that involves revisions of existing songs. The dub sound consists predominantly of instrumental remixes of existing recordings and is achieved by significantly manipulating and reshaping the recordings, usually by removing the vocals from an existing music piece, emphasizing the drum and bass parts or, in other words, ‘riddim‘, adding extensive echo and reverb effects, and dubbing occasional snippets of lyrics or instruments from the original version.
The “Rescue Me” Dub Versions
All dub versions were created by Shep Pettibone. The two dubs named after their vocal counterparts are alternative versions of them. The Demanding Dub contains elements mostly from the S.O.S. Mix, and the Disaster Dub could be considered a second dub of the Houseboat Vocal.
My favorite is probably the Lifeboat Dub. This one features a very acid-house reminiscent synth sound not present on any of the other mixes (it can be heard at 1:05 and is repeated throughout the track).
The Demanding Dub is the only one otherwise available. It was released on CD and 12″ vinyl in Germany and Australia.
Enjoy them!
Label:
Catalog Number:
PRO-A-4710
Track Listing and Details:
1. Rescue Me (Houseboat Dub) (5:24)
2. Rescue Me (Lifeboat Dub) (6:02)
3. Rescue Me (Demanding Dub) (5:20)
4. Rescue Me (Disaster Dub) (3:20)
All tracks produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone
All tracks remixed by Shep Pettibone
Rip Information:
Source: vinyl
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Password: steptothebeatblog
To rate this post, click on the comments hyperlink below its title.
Madonna – Rescue Me (Japan 3″ CD Single)
November 21, 2009 at 12:39 AM | Posted in Madonna | 12 CommentsTags: Madonna, Shep Pettibone
READER REQUEST
“Rescue Me” is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was the second single to be released from her 1990 greatest hits compilation The Immaculate Collection on February 26, 1991 by Sire Records.
The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles survey at #15 the week of March 2, 1991, and was one of the first singles in the 1990s that would debut at such a high position due to heavy pre-sales airplay. Its debut was the highest debut for a single on the Hot 100 at the time of its release and the highest debut since Michael Jackson debuted at #20 the week of February 11, 1984 with “Thriller“.
“Rescue Me” reached the top 5 in airplay. However, by the time the single was commercially available, the song had already peaked at radio and eventually placed at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the week of March 23, 1991. It was certified gold by the RIAA on May 24 1991.
Elsewhere in the world, the track went to the top 5 in countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Italy, and South Africa. It also peaked at number three in Europe.
Not among my Madonna favorites, still a fun track. The “I believe in the power” lines used to remind my friends and I of Lady Miss Kier’s verse “I believe in the power of love” from Deee-Lite’s “The Power Of Love”.
I am throwing in a couple of extra unofficial versions edited by me.
Label:
Catalog Number:
WPDP-6267
Track Listing and Details:
1. Rescue Me (Single Mix) (4:54)
2. Rescue Me (Alternate Single Mix) (5:05)
BONUS TRACKS
3. Rescue Me (Step To The Beat Single Mix) (4:26)
I never liked how the second chorus is repeated on the single mix, so I created my own. Basically edited that and played around with the last part of the track.
4. Rescue Me (Alternate Single Mix Edit) (4:05)
This is a straight edit of track 2.
Tracks 1, 2 produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone
Track 2 remixed by Shep Pettibone
Tracks 3, 4 edited by Johann 
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Password: steptothebeat
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Madonna – Like A Virgin (Remix/Edit)
October 18, 2009 at 3:16 PM | Posted in Madonna, Nile Rodgers | 8 CommentsTags: Chic, Jellybean, Madonna, Nile Rodgers
DEDICATED TO NILE RODGERS
Last Friday I felt privileged to see Nile Rodgers and Chic perform live in Buenos Aires. They were opening act for the Pet Shop Boys. I was pleasantly surprised at the close contact he kept with the audience, and most of all his humbleness, this guy is pretty much a living legend in the pop music industry. They sounded as funky as ever, this man is 57 years old and had more energy than me!
The band played some Chic songs like “Le Freak”, “Good Times” and did a great mash-up of their “Soup For One” with Modjo’s “Lady” which sampled from the track. The band also played songs from other artists which Nile produced, such as Sister’s Sledge “We Are Family”, “Thinking Of You”, Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out”, David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, and Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”.
All in all, his show was a shot of good vibes, funk, and humbleness.
Thanks for the music!
Biography
Influential guitarist, songwriter and producer, born 19 September 1952 in New York City. A leading light of the disco scene in the late 1970′s, he recorded as part of Chic and with bandmate Bernard Edwards produced many of the most popular and memorable disco hits of the 1970′s and 1980′s. You can take a look at the entry Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers for a more complete list of their works together. Rodgers produced artists like Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger, INXS, Thompson Twins, Grace Jones, B-52′s, The and Beavis & Butt-Head and is responsible as either artist, producer or writer of songs that have accounted for sales of over 100,000,000 records.
Rodgers is also the first African-American to own his own national music distribution company Sumthing Else MusicWorks, Inc., which is a leader in the distribution of video game soundtracks.
Nile produced the entire “Like A Virgin” album, playing guitar on all tracks and the synclavier on “Material Girl” and “Stay”. As a producer, this collaboration was among his biggest achievements.
Song Information
“Like a Virgin” is the first single by Madonna from the homonymous album and was released on November 6, 1984 by Sire Records.
The song slammed onto the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart the week of November 17, 1984 at #48, and shot up the chart rapidly, reaching #1 by its sixth week, December 22, 1984. It was the first of four top five singles from the album. “Like a Virgin” remained in the Top 10 for nine weeks, in the Top 20 for eleven weeks, and in the Top 40 for fourteen weeks.
Internationally, the song was a Top 5 hit and reached the top spot in numerous countries. In the UK it was a massive hit reaching No.3 and selling over 760,000 copies, becoming Madonna’s second best-selling single in the UK to date. It was her first number one single in Australia, Canada and Japan.
The Remix/Edit
There was no 7″ remix released for “Like A Virgin”, the album version was the hit version. An extended dance remix for the 12″ single was commissioned to John “Jellybean” Benitez.
Six years later, a remix was done by Shep Pettibone for 1990′s “The Immaculate Collection“. Since all these versions are easily obtainable, I thought it more fun to include an edited version of the dance mix I did years ago.
Hope you enjoy it!
Label:
Track Listing and Details:
1. Like A Virgin (Remix/Edit) (4:00) (unofficial)
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Password: steptothebeat
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Madonna – Borderline (Dub Remix)
October 5, 2009 at 4:35 AM | Posted in Madonna | 5 CommentsTags: Jellybean, Madonna, Reggie Lucas
“Borderline” is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her self-titled debut album. It was released on February 15, 1984 as the fourth single by Sire Records, written and composed by producer Reggie Lucas.
Contemporary critics and authors applauded the song, calling it as harmonically the most complex song from the Madonna album and complimenting the dance-pop nature of the song.
“Borderline” became Madonna’s first top ten song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number ten. It also reached a peak of two on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and twenty-three on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
The Dub Remix
The “Borderline” remixes were in charge of Madonna’s then boyfriend John “Jellybean” Benitez.
The Dub Remix appeared on several 12″ vinyl issues at the time. That was its name in the UK and Germany releases. It was also labeled Instrumental (US promo 12″) and Instrumental Mix (Australia 12″).
I think the first name most appropiate since this version does contain part of the lyrics, so it’s more a dub than a pure instrumental version.
Format Availability
The Dub Remix/Instrumental was only released on vinyl. It remains the only “Borderline” version unavailable on CD.
It was supposed to be included on the “Borderline” 1995 CD single, part of a collection of Germany reissue series which replicated the original 12″ single’s artwork and track configuration. The track listing on this CD states number two is the Dub Remix, but it plays the US Remix (aka New Mix).
This glitch was never corrected to my knowledge, I have yet to hear from or come across a CD which plays the correct track listing.
This high quality mp3 of the “Borderline” Dub Remix was created using the UK 12″ single as source, so the below details correspond to that issue.
Label:
Catalog Number:
W9260T
Track Listing and Details:
Side One:
Borderline (U.S. Remix)
Side Two:
Physical Attraction
Rip Information:
Source: UK 12″ vinyl
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Password: steptothebeat
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Madonna – Ray of Light (US Promo CD Maxi-Single)
September 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM | Posted in Madonna | 16 CommentsTags: Promo CD, Sasha, Victor Calderone, William Orbit
“Ray of Light” is the second single from Madonna‘s 1998 album of the same name. The song was written by Madonna, William Orbit, Clive Muldoon, Dave Curtiss and Christine Leach, and was produced by Madonna and Orbit.
The song is based on Curtiss Maldoon‘s “Sepheryn”, which was originally written by Clive Maldoon and Dave Curtiss, although other than the first verse the comparison is loose. All five (Madonna, Orbit, Maldoon, Curtiss and Leach) are credited for the song. The song was remixed by Victor Calderone, Sasha and Orbit.
“Ray of Light” debuted at #2 in the UK and has been certified silver, selling 262,514 copies to date. It also became another big hit for Madonna in the U.S., peaking at #5 on July 11, 1998. The RIAA certified it gold on September 10th, 1998.
The single managed to break two Madonna records by selling 73,000 copies in its first week, and entering both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot 100 Singles Sales at #5. The song also did well on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, becoming another number-one hit for Madonna. “Ray of Light” went on to become the top Hot Dance Music/Club Play single of 1998.
This promo-only CD single was the third and last to be sent to US radio stations to promote the track. It features radio-friendly versions of the three main club remixes done for “Ray of Light”. The first promo CD featured the album version and a picture cover (PRO-CD-9266). The second had the standard artwork for most promos, only a back insert, and featured album en radio edit versions. The latter was a promo-only version until its inclusion on the GHV2 compilation.
All three mixes on this promo CD remain commercially unavailable.
Label:
Catalog Number:
PRO-CD-9327-R
Track Listing and Details:
1. Ray of Light (Sasha Ultra Violet Mix Radio Edit) (5:08)
2. Ray of Light (William Orbit Liquid Mix Radio Edit) (5:11)
3. Ray of Light (Victor Calderone Club Mix Radio Edit) (4:56)
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Madonna – Ray of Light (US Promo CD Maxi-Single)
Password: steptothebeat
Madonna – CD Single Collection (Japan Box Set): The Exclusive Versions
September 16, 2009 at 11:09 PM | Posted in Madonna | 21 CommentsTags: Angel, Borderline, Box Set, Burning Up, Holiday, Japan, Jellybean, La Isla Bonita, Like A Prayer, Madonna, Papa don't Preach, Patrick Leonard, Pop, Remix, Stephen Bray, True Blue
“CD Single Collection” is a Japan only limited edition singles box set by Madonna. It was released in November 25, 1996 by Warner Music Japan to commemorate 15 years of Madonna’s single success in Japan. The 3″CD format was shortly to be terminated by Warner in that country and is now a very rare format.
This box set contains every single released in that country from “Burning Up” to “One More Chance“. It holds a set of forty 3″ CD singles and an inlay booklet containing track listings and lyrics of each title song in both Japanese and English.
This compilation includes the Japanese only singles “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” (released in 1985) and “Spotlight” (released in 1988). Every single contains the artwork used in the Japanese releases, some of which are unique to that market and were not used on the international releases.
None of the single reissues on this box set are available separately.
My Review:
Presentation
I was very excited when this came out and bought it shortly after its release. When I received it, there were mixed feelings. Packaging is pretty rudimentary for a Japan release. The heavy cardboard black box edges scuff very easily, and these are noticeable because the inside is white.
The CD’s are organized inside similarly to tea in envelopes are presented in a tea box. Although the idea is cool, the slots are diagonal, so pulling singles out and making them fit back in can get annoying. Click here to watch a video showing the box and discs, and here for a slideshow depicting photos of the box, lyric booklet, and each front sleeve.
The singles packaging looks pretty cheap. Most 7″ singles in Japan where released with a front picture insert on a record company sleeve, so there was usually no back artwork. That accounts for the identical look of the back of each single on this set. Again, it looks rather plain.
The quality of the front photos is rather mediocre, definitely not as good as that of the original releases. Artwork is somewhat blurry, colors washed out, and contrast is poor.
Here’s a comparison of the artwork of the original “Open Your Heart” Japan 7″ single and the 3″ CD version from this box:
Sound Quality
That being said, the sound quality is simply unbeatable, japanese masterings live up to their reputation on this set. Every single has been remastered and sounds crystal clear. The songs are louder than on their original masters but not overly as in today’s remastering, where peaks are oversaturated and dynamic range killed, often times resulting in muffled and overall unpleasant sound.
Contents
Another nice thing about the box set is that it featured several rather scarce tracks, and remastered. But only those on this post made their very first CD appearance here. Most of these if not all still remain otherwise unavailable on CD. That may change with the release of the new “Celebration” compilation, I will update this post as necessary.
All in all, the “CD Single Collection” is undoubtedly a highlight in any Madonna collection, but it’s for the completist collector in my opinion. Most of the versions found only on this box set are edits and early fades which can nowadays be recreated with audio editing software. The only single version impossible to recreate is “Borderline”.
Label:
Box Set Catalog Number:
WPDR-3100-39
Selected Tracks Information:
1. Burning Up (3:53) Produced by Reggie Lucas. An edit of the 12″ version. To my knowledge, Japan was the only country where this version was released. All other single releases use the 3:41 or 4:48 album versions. Only released as a 12″ single in the US, it didn’t chart on the Hot 100.
2. Holiday (4:08) Produced by John “Jellybean” Benitez. This is an edit of the album version. It was used as the single version in most countries. The song was Madonna’s first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It debuted in October 29, 1983 and peaked at number 16. Picture sleeve unique to Japan.
3. Borderline (3:58) Produced by Reggie Lucas, remix by John “Jellybean” Benitez. This version is unique as it cannot be recreated using the extended remix. It debuted March 10, 1984 and reached number 10 on the Hot 100 chart.
4. Angel (3:43) written by Madonna and Steve Bray. Produced by Nile Rodgers. An early fade of the album version, it was the single version in the US, UK, and Japan. “Angel” entered the Billboard Hot 100 in April 27, 1985 and peaked at number 5.
5. Angel (Dance Mix Edit) (4:55) written by Madonna and Steve Bray. Produced and remixed by Nile Rodgers. An edit of the extended dance mix. It was the b-side in the US, Japan and Canada. The UK backed the single with the 4:48 album version of “Burning Up”. Picture sleeve unique to Japan.
6. Papa Don’t Preach (3:50) Written by Brian Elliot, additional lyrics by Madonna. Produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray. This is simply an early fade of the album version. It was the single version in some countries including Japan, but not in the US where the album version lead commercial and promo single releases. “Papa Don’t Preach” entered the US chart in June 28, 1986 and peaked at number 1 for two consecutive weeks. Picture sleeve unique to Japan.
7. True Blue (4:06) written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray. As with “Papa Don’t Preach”, an early fade of the album version was the A-side in Japan. In the US, the album version lead the single releases, and in the UK it was the remix/edit. “True Blue” entered the Hot 100 in October 4, 1986 and peaked at number 3. Picture sleeve unique to Japan.
8. La Isla Bonita (Instrumental) (4:20) Written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard, and Bruce Gaitsch. Produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard. Remixed by Chris Lord-Alge. This is an early fade of the 12″ instrumental remix. It was the b-side in most countries. “La Isla Bonita” entered the Hot 100 in March 21, 1987 and peaked at number 4. Picture sleeve unique to Japan.
9. Like A Prayer (5:09) written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard. An early fade of the album version, it was used only in Japan for the single as far as I know. Some copies included the 7″ remix instead, more about that here.”Like A Prayer” entered the Hot 100 in March 3, 1989 and peaked at number 1 for three consecutive weeks.
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Madonna – CD Single Collection (Japan Box Set): The Exclusive Versions
Password: steptothebeat
Madonna – Like A Prayer (Japan 3″ CD Single)
September 15, 2009 at 1:58 AM | Posted in Madonna | 6 CommentsTags: Like A Prayer, Madonna, Patrick Leonard, Shep Pettinone
“Like A Prayer” is the first single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her 4th studio album, Like a Prayer. It was released on February 28, 1989 by Sire Records. A power pop song, it notably features a gospel choir.
On The Charts
“Like a Prayer” became one of Madonna’s highest-selling singles in her career, selling over five million copies worldwide at the time of its release. It was a massive hit worldwide. In the U.S. the song went straight to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in spring 1989 and also topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was released in the UK on 6 March 1989 and entered the UK Singles Chart straight at #2 before climbing to #1 and remaining there for three weeks until Easter Sunday (26 March). It also reached number one in countries such as Australia, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and many others. “Like a Prayer” was Madonna’s fifth number one single on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart, reaching the top on March 25, 1989, and staying at number one for 12 weeks
The 7″ Version
The single version of “Like a Prayer” was a remix in charge of Shep Pettibone and called 7″ version. It has plenty of additional production throughout the whole song including a heavier guitar intro, louder bass, string arrangements in the verses and electric guitar at the song’s climax. In addition, the album version features bass guitar played by Randy Jackson, the 7″ version has a much more complex part created and played by Guy Pratt, doubled by an analogue Minimoog bass synthesizer.
The 7″ version also cuts the first three seconds of the album version and fades around twenty seconds earlier. I never really like this since the ending with the choir and guitars is one of the high points of the song, so years ago I blended the 12″ extended remix with the 7″ version to recreate the length of the album version. I’m including it as a bonus download.
The 7″ version is only available on CD on the Japan and the rare US 3″ CD singles. (the UK CD single plays the 7″ version with fade)
Curiously enough, there were three different versions of this Japan 3″ CD with same catalog number: one played an early fade of the album version, another the 7″ version with fade (5:06), and the one on this post, with the full length 7″ version.
Label:
Catalog Number:
10P3-6112
Track Listing and Details:
1. Like a Prayer (5:21) version unlabeled, plays the 7″ version
produced by Patrick Leonard and Madonna. Remix and additional production by Shep Pettibone.
2. Act of Contrition (2:18) the “Like a Prayer” album version
produced by The Powers That Be (some sources claim this was Madonna and Pat Leonard, others Prince)
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Madonna – Like A Prayer (Japan 3″ CD Single)
Madonna – Like A Prayer (7″ Version With Album Fade)
Password: steptothebeat
Madonna – Thunderpuss GHV2 Megamix (US Promo CD Maxi-Single)
August 12, 2009 at 4:13 PM | Posted in Madonna | Leave a commentTags: CD Single, Electro, House, Madonna, Megamix, Promo, Remix, Synth-pop, Thunderpuss
The “Thunderpuss GHV2 Megamix” was released in November 2001 to promote the “GHV2″ compilation.
The songs featured were: “Don’t Tell Me“, “Erotica“, “Secret“, “Frozen“, “What It Feels Like For A Girl“, “Take a Bow“, “Deeper and Deeper“, “Music” and “Ray of Light” (in that order). Other remixes were produced by Johnny Rocks & Mac Quayle and Tracy Young.
The remix went to #5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 2001 and charted under the title “Madonna Megamix”. The original Thunderpuss version has some spoken words at the beginning of “Deeper and Deeper”: this was a recorded message used on the early Internet to promote the album Bedtime Stories.
Label:
Maverick/Warner Bros.
Catalog number:
PRO-CD-10078
Track listing and Details:
1. Edit (4:14) this was probably the version that got the most airplay
2. Edit (3:30) a shorter version of the lead track, it reduces the running time of each segued song, and omits the recorded message
3. Original Version (4:50)
Rip Information:
Source: CD
Format: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Madonna – Thunderpuss GHV2 Megamix (US Promo CD Maxi-Single)
Password: steptothebeat
ABOUT ME (7” Version)
I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Big music fan and serious record collector. This passion started thanks to radio in the mid 80's. It became a big hobby in 1997, and I still enjoy it very much.
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