I wonder if there will ever be a deluxe re-release of Grace Jones' classic album 'Slave to the rhythm'. There's a plethora of remixes of the title track, but there aren't that many other bonus tracks.
It was quite interesting to find this single, the second one taken from the album. 'Jones the rhythm' is a less familiar single from 'Slave to the rhythm', primarily because it didn't chart. It features an edit of the album version, as well as a very interesting instrumental B-side track. 'Junkyard' is constructed in the same style as the album, and as such could easily be tacked on to the track listing. I do hope it happens someday.
My collection: 7" single no. 4287 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Jones the rhythm' / 'Junkyard'
'Nathan Jones' was originally released in 1971. The song was written by Leonard Caston and Kathy Wakefield and recorded by the Supremes, post-Diana Ross. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1988, Bananarama released their cover version of the song as a single. It was originally included on their 1987 album 'Wow!'. After Siobhan Fahey left the group and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan, they re-recorded the song for the single. This version reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the USA.
My collection: 7" single no. 4286 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Nathan Jones' / 'Once in a lifetime'
When I bought this single, I suddenly realised that I didn't have any UK pressed 7" singles by Rupert Hine until now. 'Surface tension' was released in 1981 as a single from his third album 'Immunity'. The B-side, 'House arrest', would reappear as a track on his 1982 album 'Waving not drowning'.
Of course, this was another non-charting single for Rupert Hine. As successful as he is as a producer, as a performing artist he never got the recognition he deserves.
My collection: 7" single no. 4284 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Surface tension' / 'House arrest'
Mouth & MacNeal represented the Netherlands during the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with 'I see a star'. Composed by Hans van Hemert and Gerrit den Braber, the duo recorded the song in three languages: Dutch, English and German. This single contains the German version, and was released in German speaking countries.
The German translation was provided by Günther Behrle, whereas the B-side, the German versoin of 'Liefste' ('My Friend'), was translated by W. Mürmann. I don't know whether this version was a hit in any country.
My collection: 7" single no. 4273 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Ein gold'ner Stern' / 'Liebling'
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark formed in 1978, when childhood friends Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey, who had been in a few bands before, decided to play as a duo, using a Teac 4 track tape-recorder as backing.
They managed to released their debut single on the independent label Factory Records in 1979. 'Electricity' was supposed to be produced by Martin Hannett, but the A-side was the band's original demo, produced by their friend Paul Collister, owner of their Teac tape-recorder. The single's sleeve was designed by Peter Saville, who would continue to do the band's artwork throughout most of the Eighties. The unusual graphics that feature on the sleeve were partially inspired by Andy and Paul's original musical notation style. Unable to read or write music, they adapted a series of symbols, each one representing different instruments. The single did not chart, but the band subsequently went on tour supporting Gary Numan, which gave them enough exposure to warrant a debut album, released in 1980.
My collection: 7" single no. 4269 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Electricity' / 'Almost'
'Tricks of the light' was the second single taken from Mike Oldfield's 1984 album 'Discovery'. Vocals were performed by Barry Palmer and Maggie Reilly, who also appeared on the two previous singles: 'Crime of passion' and 'To France' respectively.
The single did not perform well in the charts: it only reached number 91 in the UK singles chart and number 46 in the German singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4250 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Tricks of the light' / 'Afghan'
Just two years after the release of 'The day before you came' by Abba, the British duo Blancmange recorded and released a cover version of the song. While the original only reached number 32 in the UK singles chart, the Blancmange version managed to reach number 22. However, where the Abba version managed to chart all over Europe, the Blancmange single only charted in the UK.
It was their last significant hit, as subsequent Blancmange singles peaked at number 40 or lower in the UK singles chart. I didn't like this cover version in 1984, when it came out, but now I think it's a pretty decent version.
My collection: 7" single no. 4285 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The day before you came' / 'All things are nice (version)'
China Crisis signed to Virgin records in 1982, releasing their debut album 'Difficult shapes & passive rhythms, some people think it's fun to entertain' in December of that year.
Their first hit in the UK was a re-release of 'African & White'. This song was originally released in 1981 on an independent label, but this Virgin release was a remix of the track. The single reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4283 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'African and white (remixed version)' / 'Red sails'
'Walkabout' was the fourth album by the Fixx, released in 1986. From this album, the single 'Secret separation' was taken. Like most singles by the band, it did not chart, although it was played often on the radio.
Personally I didn't know this single existed until I saw it and bought it recently. I did know the album very well, as my sister bought it in the late Eighties, and I recorded it and played it rather often at the time. So this was a really nice find.
My collection: 7" single no. 4282 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Secret separation' / 'Sense the adventure'
Vanessa Paradis debuted in 1987 with 'Joe le taxi', and then followed it up with 'Manolo Manolete', a song about a Spanish bullfighter. The single only managed to reach number 10 in the French singles chart, but flopped everywhere else.
As a result, the track did not appear on her debut album 'M&J', released in 1988.
My collection: 7" single no. 4281 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Manolo Manolete' / 'You you'
The height of Boney M's success was gone, vanished by the end of the Eighties. Still, someone thought it would be a good idea to release a 'Summer Megamix', consisting of their biggest summer hits: 'Sunny', 'Ma baker', 'Hooray! Hooray! It's a holi-holiday', 'Gotta go home' and 'Kalimba de luna'. The megamix was made by Michael Newman and Charles Key B, together with Pete Hammond from Pete Waterman Limited.
The single was, as far as I know, only released in France, peaking at number 11 in the French singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4280 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The summer megamix' / 'The calendar song'
Written by Michel Berger, 'Ella elle l'a' is a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. France Gall, who was married to Berger, recorded the song for her 1987 album 'Babacar'.
The single reached number 2 in France. In Germany, it became a number 1 hit (which is rather rare for a French song), while in the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 30.
My collection: 7" single no. 4279 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Ella elle l'a' / 'Dancing brave'
It's not always a bad life, being a pop star. Colin Blunstone not only has one of the best male voices in the industry, but for the sleeve of his single 'Touch' he also had to pose with a nude woman in his arms. That's not so bad, is it?
Released in February 1983, 'Touch' sounds a lot like an Imagination single. You would expect that this track was produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolley as well, but it isn't - it was produced by one Peter Bardens, who also wrote the song. The single did not chart in any territory, which really is a shame.
My collection: 7" single no. 4278 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Touch' / 'Touch (instrumental)'
The Allisons were an English pop duo consisting of Bob Day (born Bernard Colin Day, 2 February 1941, Trowbridge, Wiltshire) and John Alford (born Brian Henry John Alford, 31 December 1939, London). They were marketed as being brothers, using the same surname of Allison.
They represented the United Kingdom during the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Are you sure'. They came in second place with 24 points. The song was released as a single on the Fontana Records label, and climbed to number 1 on the UK NME pop chart. However, the official UK singles chart states that the song peaked at number 2. Despite a couple of minor follow-up hits, the duo disbanded in 1963. It doesn't happen so often that I pay a large amount for a single without a picture sleeve, but this old rarity - in a perfect state! - did warrant it.
My collection: 7" single no. 4272 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 3,5 euro Tracks: 'Are you sure?' / 'There's one thing more'
'If you leave' was recorded in 1986 by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark for the soundtrack of the movie 'Pretty in pink'. The song was featured prominently during the final scene of the movie.
Subsequently, the single became the group's biggest hit in the USA, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, the song was virtually ignored in the UK, where it only reached number 48 on the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4253 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'If you leave' / '88 seconds in Greensboro'
'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' was written and recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, using the band name Steam. It was released in late 1969. It became a number one hit in the USA and peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart.
In February 1983, Bananarama released the song as a single off their album 'Deep sea skiving'. This version became a number 5 hit in the United Kingdom, but stalled just outside the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (at number 101) later in the year.
My collection: 7" single no. 4249 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' / 'Tell tale signs'
Mike Oldfield and Anita Hegerland, who became his partner in the mid-Eighties, said during an interview that 'Innocent' was inspired by their daughter Great, who also appeared in the music video for the song. Anita Hegerland provides vocals on 'Innocent', while Mike Oldfield composed and performed the music.
The single was taken from Mike Oldfield's 1989 album 'Earth moving'. The single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4247 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Innocent' / 'Earth moving (Disco version)'
In 1980, squatters were dominating the news in the Netherlands. During the crowning of Queen Beatrix they used the occasion to protest against poor housing conditions in the country, using the memorable slogan 'Geen woning, geen kroning' ('No housing, no crowning' - it rhymes better in Dutch). Squatters riots were becoming a familiar sight, especially in the bigger cities in the Netherlands.
Rubberen Robbie used these developments to release a single. 'Twee mobiele ogen die keken de kraker aan' (which roughly translates as 'Police eyes looked at the squatter') did not become a hit for the group. The B-side is amusing for those who enjoy rude sounds set to music.
My collection: 7" single no. 4275 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Twee mobiele ogn die keken de kraker aan' / 'De kater komt later'
When Harmony were selected to represent the Netherlands during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with ''t Is OK', they recorded two versions of the song: in Dutch and in English. This English version, entitled 'It's OK', was released as a single in various countries.
This single was made in West Germany. The single did not chart there, as in other countries.
My collection: 7" single no. 4271 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'It's OK' / 'Bim Bam Bom'
Diana Ross and Lionel Richie recorded 'Endless love' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Endless love' starring Brooke Shields. It was also released as a single in 1981. While the movie was a failure, the song became the second biggest-selling single of the year in the USA (second only to 'Physical' by Olivia Newton-John). The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.
The song became the biggest-selling single of Ross' career, while it was one of several hits for Richie as the Eighties progressed. Ross recorded a solo version of the song for her first RCA Records album, 'Why do fools fall in love?'. The song was covered by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey in 1994. That version must have been meant for deaf people.
My collection: 7" single no. 4268 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Endless love' / 'Endless love (instrumental)'
Having achieved widespread success in Europe and Japan with '99 Luftballons', Nena wanted to try their luck in the rest of the world with an English version of the song. Kevin McAlea wrote this version, titled '99 red balloons', which has a more satirical tone than the original. The English version is not a direct translation of the German but contains a somewhat different set of lyrics.
Nena recorded '99 red balloons' despite their dissatisfaction with the lyrics, which they expressed in numerous magazine interviews in 1984. They felt the English version was not a faithful rendition of the German original. Still, with this song they achieved something few other German bands had achieved at the time: a number one hit in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 4266 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: '99 red balloons' / 'Ich bleib' im Bett'
'I hear talk' was released on December 15, 1984, in the same week when Bucks Fizz were involved in a road accident: their tour bus collided with road works, careened off the road and injured members of the group as well as their entourage. The group were inactive for several months as a result.
Promotion for 'I hear talk' was minimal, although a music video had already been completed. The single reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4265 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I hear talk' / 'Pulling me under'
'And when the night comes' was released as the second single from Jon & Vangelis' third album 'Private collection'. The single failed to make any chart impact.
It's funny how I never saw this single, while on the record fair on November 21 I found it in three different stalls. Sometimes I think there's a secret vault of old 7" singles where these things come from every once in a while.
My collection: 7" single no. 4264 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'And when the night comes' / 'Song is'
ZTT Records signed Frankie Goes to Hollywood after producer and co-founder Trevor Horn saw the band play on the TV show The Tube, where they played an early version of 'Relax'. Once the band was signed, ZTT co-founder Paul Morley mapped out the marketing campaign fashioned as a 'strategic assault on pop'. He opted to tackle the biggest possible themes in the band's singles ('sex, war, religion'), of which 'Relax' would be the first, and emphasised the shock impact of Frankie members Holly Johnson and Paul Rutherford's open homosexuality in the packaging and music videos.
Horn dominated the recording of 'Relax' in his effort for perfectionism. The band were overawed and intimidated by Horn's reputation, and thus were too nervous to make suggestions. Johnson said in his autobiography, 'Whatever he said we went along with'. When attempts to record with the band proved unsatisfactory, Horn hired former Ian Dury backing band the Blockheads for the sessions. When the results of these sessions didn't sound modern enough, Horn then constructed a more electronic-based version of the song with session musician Andy Richards and with rhythm programming assistance from J. J. Jeczalik of Art of Noise. Horn developed this version of the recording in his West London studio while the band remained in their hometown of Liverpool. Ultimately lead vocalist Johnson was the only band member to perform on the record. Horn completed the recording having spent £70,000 in studio time. As Horn explained years later, 'I was just... Look, 'Relax' had to be a hit.'
My collection: 7" single no. 4263 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Relax' / 'One September Monday'
The song 'Take me home' is not to be taken literally: it's not about a man going home. Phil Collins has explained that the song lyric refers to a patient in a mental institution, and that the song is based on the novel 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest'. The song features Sting, Peter Gabriel and Helen Terry on backing vocals.
The song was released as a single in the UK in July 1985 and in the US in March 1986. It peaked at number 19 in the UK and number 7 in the USA.
My collection: 7" single no. 4262 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Take me home' / 'We said hello goodbye'
While in most of the world 'Union city blue' was released as the second single from Blondie's 1979 album 'Eat to the beat', 'The hardest part' was released in the USA and Canada. The song was written by Deborah Harry and Chris Stein, as most of the band's material.
The single only reached number 84 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 86 in Canada.
My collection: 7" single no. 4261 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The hardest part' / 'Sound asleep'
'Reet petite' by Jackie Wilson was re-released in December 1986 after a clay animation video was shown in the BBC 2 documentary series 'Arena'. This re-release gave Jackie Wilson a big hit all over Europe, three years after his death. The single reached number 1 in the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland.
The song was written by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo, a pseudonym of Jackie's cousin Billy Davis. It was Jackie Wilson's first recording as a solo artist after leaving the Dominoes. The song peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 6 on the UK singles chart in 1957.
My collection: 7" single no. 4260 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Reet petite' / 'You brought about a change in me', 'I'm the one to do it'
For the second time I bought the single 'If I had you' by the Korgis. I already had this version, which includes two tracks on the B-side, but this single only includes one of them. Furthermore, the sleeve design is similar to the one of 'Young 'n' Russian', also released in 1979.
After all this information, one would almost forget that 'If I had you' is simply a lovely pop song, which should have been a big hit all over Europe.
My collection: 7" single no. 4258 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'If I had you' / 'Chinese girl'
Bolland and Bolland started producing themselves with this single, and in a sense it's the start of a successful career as producers.
'Spaceman', released in 1978, reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and remains their second biggest hit, after 'Wait for the sun', which reached number 11 in 1972.
My collection: 7" single no. 4257 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Spaceman' / 'Young girl'
'One man woman' was the third single by Sheena Easton, released in November 1980. Recorded at George Martin's Air Studios and produced by Christopher Neil, it was one of the tracks to be included on Sheena Easton's debut album, released in early 1981.
Although the single was released all over Europe (this copy comes from Germany and includes a press info sheet on the single), 'One man woman' only charted in the UK, where it reached number 14.
My collection: 7" single no. 4256 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'One man woman' / 'Summer's over'
The song title 'Little Willy' has to be one of the most obvious double entendres of the Seventies. Still, the Sweet got away with it when they released the single in 1972. Like most of their hit singles right up to 1974, the song was written by Chinn and Chapman, who gave the band a rather lightweight pop image. The band members themselves also wrote songs: these heavier rock tracks were always relegated to the B-side (as on this single).
'Little Willy' reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, and went number 1 in Germany. In the Netherlands, the single got as far as number 7.
My collection: 7" single no. 4255 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Little Willy' / 'Man from Mecca'
'Baker street' was a track on Gerry Rafferty's second album 'City to city' (1978). It was Rafferty's first release after the legal issues surrounding the formal separation of the band Stealers Wheel in 1975. Rafferty was unable to release any material for three years after the band's break up, while resolving the disputes about the band's remaining contractual recording obligations. Although the album version is 6 minutes long, the single version was shortened by almost two minutes. The song's prominent saxophone hook was played by Raphael Ravenscroft, and the guitar solo by Hugh Burns.
When the track was released as a single, it reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4254 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Baker street' / 'Big chance in the weather'
Chris Sullivan, Christos Tolera, Mark Reilly, 'Choco' Mick, Kito Poncioni, Geraldo d'Arbilly and Moses Mount Bassie formed Blue Rondo a la Turk in the early Eighties, naming themselves after the familiar Dave Brubeck jazz track.
'The heavens are crying' was released as a single in 1982 on the Diable Noir label. The single didn't chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4252 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'The heavens are crying (part 1)' / 'The heavens are crying (part 2)'
Since I already own a handful of singles by Rupert Holmes, I decided to try out this single when I found it during a record fair.
'Loved by the one you love' is a single taken from Rupert Holmes' 1981 album 'Full circle'. This album was to be his last for a long time: his next album was 'Scenario', released in 1994. In the mean time he played in cabarets and comedy clubs, and made his debut as a playwright, writing musicals from the second half of the Eighties onwards.
My collection: 7" single no. 4251 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Loved by the one you love' / 'One born every minute'
The song 'Hotline to heaven' is a track on Bananarama's second self-titled album. On the album, it's a seven minute track. It was edited to half that length for the single.
The single did not perform well on the charts. It stalled at number 58 in the UK singles chart, which was their worst chart performance since their debut single 'Aie a Mwana'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4248 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Hotline to heaven' / 'State I'm in'
Chris Rea wrote 'Stainsby girls' as a tribute for his wife Joan, a former student of the Stainsby Secondary Modern School. The single was taken from the album 'Shamrock diaries', released in 1985. The album was a number one hit in many European countries and Australia.
The single was Rea's first major hit in the UK, reaching number 26 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4245 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Stainsby girls' / 'And when she smiles'
When the compilation album 'The best of OMD' was released in 1988, the new track 'Dreaming' was released as the accompanying single. Produced by OMD and mixed by Tom Lord Alge, it was an uncharacteristically uncomplicated lovesong.
While the single was not a big success in the UK (where it peaked at number 50), it was the band's second most successful single in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 16. It was also the last single by OMD in their original lineup, as Paul Humphreys left the band in 1989 to form The Listening Pool. Andy McCluskey continued OMD on his own.
My collection: 7" single no. 4246 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Dreaming' / 'Satellite'
Released in February 1982, 'Five miles out' was a single from the Mike Oldfield album of the same name. The song makes numerous references to flying. It has a complex structure despite its short length. Maggie Reilly makes her first appearance on a Mike Oldfield song, but her voice is almost drowned in Mike Oldfield's voice (which is processed through a vocoder).
The single was a modest success, reaching number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 42 in the German singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4241 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Five miles out' / 'Live punkadiddle'
'Oh l'amour' was released in April 1986 as the third single by the synthpop duo Erasure. Written by members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the song is a lament from someone experiencing unrequited love.
Upon its release, the single reached number 85 in the UK singles chart, but reached number 2 in South Africa, number 16 in Germany and number 13 in Australia. Furthermore, it became their only hit to date in France, where it reached number 14.
My collection: 7" single no. 4242 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Oh l'amour' / 'March on down the line'
People who grew up in the Eighties are usually familiar with the music video for Frankie goes to Hollywood's second single 'Two tribes', in which two actors playing Ronald Reagan and Konstantin Chernenko are in a wrestling match.
The track itself is equally famous for its hasty tempo and loud production by Trevor Horn. The single was released at the height of the cold war, when general fears about global nuclear warfare were at a peak. According to Frankie's frontman Holly Johnson: 'There's two elements in the music - an American funk line and a Russian line. It’s the most obvious demonstration of two tribes that we have today.' The single went number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1984.
My collection: 7" single no. 4240 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Two tribes' / 'One February Friday'
'Visage' was the fourth single by Visage, released in June 1981. It is the title track from Visage's selftitled debut album, produced by Visage and Midge Ure. This single is the German pressing, which comes in a different sleeve from the UK edition.
'Visage' reached number 21 in the UK singles chart, but was unsuccessful in mainland Europe.
My collection: 7" single no. 4239 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Visage' / 'Second steps'
The EP 'Take Four' was released in 1978. It contained one new track: 'Wrekorder Wrondo', plus three previous singles. 'Sailors hornpipe' was the finale on Mike Oldfield's most famous album, 'Tubular bells', while 'Portsmouth' and 'In dulci jubilo' were top 5 hits in the UK in 1976 and 1975 respectively.
Although this collection of tracks spans five years, it's surprising to hear the consistency in the sound of this EP. It's not that the tracks sound the same, but the folky instrumentation is there throughout the entire EP.
My collection: 7" single no. 4238 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Portsmouth', 'In dulci jubilo' / 'Wrekorder wrondo', 'Sailors hornpipe'
Supertramp released one of their best albums in 1977 with 'Even in the quietest moments'. 'Give a little bit' was the opening track on the album, and also released as the first single from the album. Writing credits for the song were given to Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, members of the band, although it really is a Hodgson composition.
The single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4237 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Give a little bit' / 'Downstream'
'The heat is on' was written by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey and recorded by Glenn Frey for the sountrack of the 1984 movie 'Beverly Hills cop'. The recording starts with an intriguing intro, then turns into a rather straightforward pop song.
The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and Australian singles chart, and peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4236 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'The heat is on' (Glenn Frey) / 'Shoot out' (Harold Faltermeyer)
Back in 1989, I didn't really like the track 'Americanos', written and performed by Holly Johnson. It was basically a listing of all the things I didn't like about the American junk culture - except maybe those Oreo cookies.
It was Holly Johnson's second solo single, after leaving his band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4235 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Americanos' / 'Americanos (Mambo dub mix)'
'Oh yeah' was written by Bryan Ferry. He explained in an interview: 'In this song I was trying to create a picture of Americana, and long hot summer evenings at drive-in movies. It is wistful and nostalgic, rather like a country record.'
The track was released as the second single from Roxy Music's 1980 album 'Flesh + Blood'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, just like the previous single 'Over you'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4234 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Oh yeah' / 'South downs'
Valaitis was born in Memel (Klaipėda), in 1943 part of the Memel Territory of East Prussia, Germany, now in Lithuania. Her father, a soldier of the Wehrmacht, was killed during World War II. At the end of the war, Valaitis, her mother, and her brother arrived as refugees in West Germany.
She began her musical career by joining the band Frederik Brothers. She signed a record contract with Philips in 1970 and released her first single, 'Halt das Glück für uns fest' that same year. Six years later she enjoyed her first big chart success with 'Da kommt José der Straßenmusikant'. In 1981, she represented Germany during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Johnny Blue', which finished second.
My collection: 7" single no. 4217 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,66 euro Tracks: 'Johnny Blue' / 'Jeder Mensch hat seinen Traum'
'Nobody's perfect' was the first single from Mike and the Mechanics' 1988 album 'The living years'. With its rather original sound, the track still failed to catch the attention of the general public and went by almost unnoticed. Still, I got to know the song because my sister bought it when it came out.
The single reached number 63 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 80 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4233 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Nobody's perfect' / 'Nobody knows'
I wonder if there will ever be a deluxe re-release of Grace Jones' classic album 'Slave to the rhythm'. There's a plethora of remixes of the title track, but there aren't that many other bonus tracks.
