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Dance Out of My Head: Demon Collects Shep Pettibone Mixes from Whitney, Elton, Lionel, More on New Box Set

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Arthur Baker Dance Masters Shep Pettibone

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Producer-DJ Arthur Baker has brought his magic touch to recordings by everybody from Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen to Tina Turner and Diana Ross, turning pop, rock, and R&B hits into dance floor-fillers.  Now, Baker is looking back and taking stock of his fellow Dance Masters with a new series from Demon Music Group.  Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: The Shep Pettibone Master Mixes is an expansive salute from one legendary remixer to another.  Available on 4 CDs (47 songs in one box set) or 2 LPs (32 tracks across two releases), the collection inaugurates the Dance Masters series and brings together vintage Pettibone 7- and 12-inch mixes of classic songs by a true "Who's Who" including Whitney Houston, George Michael, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, Lionel Richie, The Salsoul Orchestra, and Sananda Maitreya (the former Terence Trent D'Arby).  It's due from Demon Music Group in all formats on September 3.

The start of New Jersey-born Robert "Shep" Pettibone's rise to fame can be traced to his work with Baker on Afrika Bambaataa and The Jazzy 5's "Jazzy Sensation" for Tommy Boy Records.  Baker had begun working with Bambaataa at Tommy Boy Records, producing and mixing such landmark records as the Gold-certified "Planet Rock" for the pioneering hip-hop/electro artist in 1982.  Before that, producer Baker gave Pettibone the opportunity to mix and arrange "Jazzy Sensation" in 1981, and it lived up to its title.

Baker realized that Pettibone had that special something.  As he describes in Demon's press release, "What Shep Pettibone had that most other mixers did not, was a true radio sensibility. He inherently knew what would work on the airwaves, but was equally comfortable in a club setting, as a DJ and a fan, so he knew what worked both on the dance floor and on radio. That was a deadly combination. Shep was also very open to all types of music and acts. From U.K. alternative sounds to NYC street sounds. From campy pop to gospel disco and electro R&B, Shep nailed them all and brought his expert sheen and sense of excitement to each of them."  Baker adds, "I am incredibly proud to open the Dance Masters series with this collection of some of his best work."

The Shep Pettibone Master Mixes emphasizes his versatility, featuring pulse-pounding reinventions for artists from across the musical spectrum such as freestyle/dance-pop singer Alisha, post-punk rockers The Psychedelic Furs and New Order, disco legends Gloria Gaynor and The Salsoul Orchestra, jazz guitarist-turned-pop-crooner George Benson, Latin powerhouse Miami Sound Machine, rap group Run-DMC, electronic innovators Depeche Mode, singer-actress Pia Zadora, and that array of aforementioned superstars.  Pettibone's irresistible mixes blurred the lines between dance, pop, and R&B, and no other collection provides such an in-depth exploration of his art.  (A previous compilation concentrated on his Salsoul Records output which is generously represented here by cuts from The Salsoul Orchestra, First Choice, Leroy Burgess, Skyy, Aurra, Weeks & Co., and Instant Funk.)

Wayne A. Dickson of Big Break Records and Groove Line Records has produced, compiled, and sequenced the compilation, and the package includes a foreword by Arthur Baker as well as new liner notes from Bill Coleman drawing on quotes from Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, John Taylor, Andy Bell, and others.  Look for Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: The Shep Pettibone Master Mixes on September 3 as a 4-CD mediabook set or two individual 2-LP compilations.  Amazon U.K. has a signed exclusive edition of the CD box while Rough Trade U.K. is carrying a clear-vinyl variant of the first LP set.  Both are limited to 500 copies.  You'll find the track listings and pre-order links below.

Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: The Shep Pettibone Master Mixes (Demon, 2021)

LP Part One (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / PopMarket / Rough Trade U.K. - Exclusive Signed Edition)

Side A

  1. GEORGE MICHAEL - HARD DAY (Shep Pettibone Remix Remastered)
  2. DURAN DURAN - I DON'T WANT YOUR LOVE (Big Mix)
  3. WHITNEY HOUSTON - SO EMOTIONAL (Edited Remix)
  4. THOMPSON TWINS - IN THE NAME OF LOVE '88 (Railroad Mix)

Side B

  1. LEVEL 42 - LESSONS IN LOVE (Shep Pettibone Remix)
  2. BELINDA CARLISLE - HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH (Heavenly Version)
  3. MIAMI SOUND MACHINE - BAD BOY (Shep Pettibone Remix)
  4. CYNDI LAUPER - CHANGE OF HEART (12" Extended Club Remix)

Side C

  1. PET SHOP BOYS - WEST END GIRLS (The Shep Pettibone Mastermix)
  2. ALISHA - BABY TALK (Extended Dance Mix)
  3. THE B-52'S - SUMMER OF LOVE (Summer Party Mix)
  4. HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS - HIP TO BE SQUARE (Dance Mix)

Side D

  1. NEW ORDER - BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE (Shep Pettibone 12" Remix)
  2. DEPECHE MODE - BEHIND THE WHEEL (Shep Pettibone Mix)
  3. ERASURE - CHAINS OF LOVE (Unfettered Remix) (2009 Remaster)
  4. ELTON JOHN - I DON'T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT (The Shep Pettibone Mix)

LP Part Two (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / PopMarket)

Side A

  1. LISA LISA & CULT JAM WITH FULL FORCE - I WONDER IF I TAKE YOU HOME (The Shep Pettibone Remix)
  2. SANANDA MAITREYA - IF YOU LET ME STAY (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
  3. FIVE STAR - ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH (The Shep Pettibone Remix)
  4. B B & Q - (I'M A) DREAMER (12" Shep Pettibone Vocal/Long Version)

Side B

  1. POINTER SISTERS - GOLDMINE (12" Version)
  2. LIONEL RICHIE - LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL (12" Vocal Version)
  3. HOWARD HEWETT - STAY (After Midnight Mix)
  4. GEORGE BENSON - TWICE THE LOVE (Club Love Remix)

Side C

  1. LEROY BURGESS - HEARTBREAKER (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  2. INSTANT FUNK - (JUST BECAUSE) YOU'LL BE MINE (12" Shep Pettibone Mix) 2017Remaster
  3. THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA - OOH, I LOVE IT (LOVE BREAK) (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  4. THE FLIRTS - YOU AND ME (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)

Side D

  1. GLORIA GAYNOR - I AM WHAT I AM (12" Extended Version)
  2. PHYLLIS NELSON - I LIKE YOU (12" Extended Version)
  3. THE JAMMERS - BE MINE TONIGHT (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  4. FIRST CHOICE - LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)

4CD Box Set (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. - Exclusive Signed Edition / PopMarket)

CD 1

  1. GEORGE MICHAEL - HARD DAY (Shep Pettibone Remix Remastered)
  2. DURAN DURAN - I DON'T WANT YOUR LOVE (Big Mix)
  3. LEVEL 42 - LESSONS IN LOVE (Shep Pettibone Remix)
  4. WHITNEY HOUSTON - SO EMOTIONAL (Edited Remix)
  5. BELINDA CARLISLE - HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH (Heavenly Version)
  6. THE B-52'S - SUMMER OF LOVE (Summer Party Mix)
  7. HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS - HIP TO BE SQUARE (Dance Mix)
  8. MIAMI SOUND MACHINE - BAD BOY (Shep Pettibone Remix)
  9. CYNDI LAUPER - CHANGE OF HEART (12" Extended Club Remix)
  10. RUN DMC - IT'S TRICKY (Club Mix)
  11. PAULA ABDUL - KNOCKED OUT (Pettibone 12")
  12. NARADA - DIVINE EMOTIONS [Shep Pettibone Single Remix)

CD 2

  1. PET SHOP BOYS - WEST END GIRLS (The Shep Pettibone Mastermix)
  2. ALISHA - BABY TALK (Extended Dance Mix)
  3. THE FLIRTS - YOU AND ME (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  4. PHYLLIS NELSON - I LIKE YOU (12" Extended Version)
  5. NEW ORDER - BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE (Shep Pettibone 12" Remix)
  6. DEPECHE MODE - BEHIND THE WHEEL (Shep Pettibone Mix)
  7. ERASURE - CHAINS OF LOVE (Unfettered Remix) (2009 Remaster)
  8. KIM WILDE - YOU CAME (Shep Pettibone U.S. 7" Version)
  9. PSYCHEDELIC FURS - SHOCK (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
  10. ELTON JOHN - I DON'T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
  11. THE COMMUNARDS - NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE (Single Mix)
  12. GLORIA GAYNOR - I AM WHAT I AM (12" Extended Version)

CD 3

  1. LISA LISA & CULT JAM WITH FULL FORCE - I WONDER IF I TAKE YOU HOME (The Shep Pettibone Remix)
  2. SANANDA MAITREYA - IF YOU LET ME STAY (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
  3. FIVE STAR - ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH (The Shep Pettibone Remix)
  4. POINTER SISTERS - GOLDMINE (12" Version)
  5. LIONEL RICHIE - LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL (12" Vocal Version)
  6. B B & Q - (I'M A) DREAMER (12" Shep Pettibone Vocal/Long Version)
  7. HOWARD HEWETT - STAY (After Midnight Mix)
  8. GEORGE BENSON - TWICE THE LOVE (Club Love Remix)
  9. THOMPSON TWINS - IN THE NAME OF LOVE '88 (Railroad Mix)
  10. LISA STANSFIELD - THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME (Shep Pettibone Mix)
  11. PIA - DANCE OUT OF MY HEAD (The Dress-Down Mix)

CD 4

  1. LEROY BURGESS - HEARTBREAKER (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  2. SINNAMON - THANKS TO YOU (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  3. THE JAMMERS - BE MINE TONIGHT (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  4. INSTANT FUNK - (JUST BECAUSE) YOU'LL BE MINE (12" Shep Pettibone Mix) 2017 Remaster
  5. AURRA - SUCH A FEELING (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  6. CAROL WILLIAMS - NO ONE CAN DO IT (LIKE YOU) (12" Special Remix)
  7. STEVE SHELTO - DON'T GIVE YOUR LOVE AWAY (Shep Pettibone Mix: Short Version)
  8. SKYY - SHOW ME THE WAY (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  9. MIKE AND BRENDA SUTTON - DON'T LET GO OF ME (GRIP MY HIPS AND MOVE ME) (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  10. WEEKS AND CO. - IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FUN (12" Shep Pettibone Master Dub Mix)
  11. THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA - OOH, I LOVE IT (LOVE BREAK) (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
  12. FIRST CHOICE - LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER (12" Shep Pettibone Mix)
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Joe Marchese

JOE MARCHESE (Editor) joined The Second Disc shortly after its launch in early 2010, and has since penned daily news and reviews about classic music of all genres. In 2015, Joe formed the Second Disc Records label. Celebrating the great songwriters, producers and artists who created the sound of American popular song, Second Disc Records, in conjunction with Real Gone Music, has released newly-curated collections produced by Joe from iconic artists such as Johnny Mathis, Bobby Darin, Laura Nyro, Melissa Manchester, Chet Atkins, and many others. He has contributed liner notes to reissues from a diverse array of artists, among them Nat "King" Cole, Paul Williams, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, B.J. Thomas, The 5th Dimension, Burt Bacharach, The Mamas and the Papas, Carpenters, Perry Como, Rod McKuen, Doris Day, Jackie DeShannon, and Andy Williams, and has compiled releases for talents including Robert Goulet and Keith Allison of Paul Revere and the Raiders. Over the past two decades, Joe has also worked in a variety of capacities on and off Broadway as well as at some of the premier theatres in the U.S., including Lincoln Center Theater, George Street Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, and the York Theatre Company. He has felt privileged to work on productions alongside artists such as the late Jack Klugman, Eli Wallach, Arthur Laurents, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. In 2009, Joe began contributing theatre and music reviews to the print publication The Sondheim Review, and in 2012, he joined the staff of The Digital Bits as a regular contributor writing about film and television on DVD and Blu-ray. Joe currently resides in the suburbs of New York City.

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Comments

    • I believe Rough Trade UK will ship the signed vinyl edition internationally, but it doesn’t appear that Amazon UK is making the CD set available to overseas customers.

      Reply

    • Rough Trade US has the signed print with the first LP as an exclusive available, also LP2 and the 4CD set, just ordered it. Wish the print would also be available with the CD version.

      Reply

  2. Given their history it’s unbelievable that Madonna isn’t represented in this set.

    This set would have been a perfect place to release his “Vogue” dub that was only available on airline sound systems.

    Good job, Arthur Baker. What a missed opportunity. But thanks for including a print signed by you for some reason.

    Reply

    • Madonna is certainly conspicuous by her absence, but that’s more likely due to licensing issues than anything else. Her music is notoriously difficult to license and might well have been an impossibility for this collection. If only she would release those rare mixes in a set of her own…here’s hoping!

      Reply

        • You would think in this day and age of declining sales of physical music product, that artists would welcome most if not all opportunities to make money on their recordings. Not that artists like Janet and Madonna are struggling to pay their mortgage, but I am sure the songwriters would appreciate the extra paycheck.

          Reply

  3. I know Prelude records is owned by Unidisc in Canada but still, Pettibone's breakthrough "mastermixes" were via that small disco label that had airwave dominance in NYC among disco and post-disco fans in the early 1980s; too bad those east coast scene hitmakers were seemingly iced out of this set.

    Reply

  4. i wonder how many of the tracks are from masters knowing how bad the uk labels are at using vinyl instead of original masters

    Reply

    • I have no doubt that this release uses the best available sources; listeners are in good hands with the work of Arthur Baker, Wayne Dickson, and the Demon Music Group team.

      Reply

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