The TENZ 162 "Omar Santana" Pressing is a highly collectible 1987 UK double 12-inch vinyl release that stands out for its unique crossover into early electronic and breakbeat subcultures. Packaged in a limited-edition gatefold sleeve, this specific pressing features New York hip-hop and electro pioneer Omar Santana's aggressive, edit-heavy remixes of "Never Take Me Alive" on Side A and "Land Of Shame" on Side C. Balancing these electronic "Super Edits" are the original alternative rock tracks "The Man That Never Was" on Side B and "Jack Straw" on Side D. Because it perfectly bridges the gap between post-punk rock and the late-80s US electro scene across its four distinct sides, this configuration remains highly sought after by both traditional Spear Of Destiny completists and dance music vinyl DJs.
The TENZ 162 "Omar Santana" Pressing of Spear Of Destiny’s "Never Take Me Alive" is a fascinating artifact of late-1987 genre-mashing that sounds remarkably ahead of its time. By handing the master tapes of a soaring, cinematic post-punk anthem over to New York hip-hop and electro pioneer Omar Santana, 10 Records created a jarring but brilliant culture clash. On Side A and Side C, Santana strips back Kirk Brandon’s melodramatic alt-rock wall-of-sound, replacing it with aggressive drum machine programming, stuttering tape-splice edits, and dynamic breakbeats. Far from a standard extended club mix, these "Super Edits" transform the title track and "Land Of Shame" into propulsive, rhythm-driven tracks that fit seamlessly into the late-80s b-boy and dance subcultures, proving just how malleable Brandon’s songwriting truly was.
What makes this limited-edition double 12-inch package a essential listen, however, is its structural balance. By placing Santana's electronic experiments on Sides A and C, and reserving Sides B and D for the traditional guitar-driven tracks "The Man That Never Was" and "Jack Straw," the release provides a perfect macro-view of a band caught between two worlds. Listening to the records in sequence offers a thrilling sonic whiplash, bouncing from the high-tech studio wizardry of the New York underground to the raw, gothic energy of the UK indie scene. Packaged in a lavish gatefold sleeve, it remains a triumphant, high-energy vinyl curiosity that satisfies both alternative rock purists and electronic music crate-diggers alike.
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A: Never Take Me Alive (Omar Santana Version)
B: The Man That Never Was
C: Land Of Shame (Omar Santana Version)
D: Jack Straw
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