Special kind of love - Dina Carroll

Dina Carroll was born as Geraldine Carroll on August 21, 1968 in Newmarket, Suffolk (UK). She started singing at age of five, primarily at home with her sister. Despite the lack of formal vocal coaching, in 1981, at the age of thirteen, she won a local Cambridgeshire talent competition, with her rendition of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman in Love'. After leaving school, she worked in various jobs, including a one-day stint as a chambermaid in a Cambridge hotel in 1985.

In 1989, Carroll secured a recording contract with Jive/Zomba and released a number of singles in 1989 and 1990. After a short time at Jive/Zomba, Carroll was spotted by Dennis Ingoldsby, one half of First Avenue Management, a small and newly founded management group. She was signed to A & M Records by managing director Howard Berman. Carroll's first solo single (produced and co-written by Nigel Lowis) 'Ain't no man' was released in June 1992, reaching number 16 in the UK singles chart. Carroll and Lowis worked on future singles together, one of which being the top 20 hit 'So close', which was released in December 1992; coincidentally the title of her debut album. Carroll was approached by Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C&C Music Factory who invited her to New York to become the first British artist to work with them. Carroll interrupted the writing and recording of her album to record 'Special kind of love', which also reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5092
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Special kind of love' / 'If I knew you then'

Heartache avenue - The Maisonettes

The Maisonettes were an English band formed by Lol Mason and Mark Tibenham. Their debut single, 'Heartache avenue', reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983. It was also a big hit in the rest of Europe - I heard the song so often back in 1983 that it really bored me in the end.

I finally bought this single now because it was so cheap and because the feeling of boredom has finally worn off after almost two decades. And now it turns out the B-side of the single, 'The last one to know', is actually quite brilliant.

My collection: 7" single no. 5091
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Heartache avenue' / 'The last one to know'

Two rivers - The Adventures

The Adventures debuted in 1984 with the album 'Theodore and friends' which has recently been released on cd by Cherry Red records (Buy it here). The fourth and final single taken from that album was released after the relative success of 'Send my heart' and 'Feel the raindrops'.

Unfortunately, this single stalled at number 96 and this meant that the album didn't get the much needed promotional push. Fortunately, the band's second album, released in 1988, would do much better.

My collection: 7" single no. 5090
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Two rivers' / 'Love in chains (live)'

That's what they say about love - Touch

In 1986 the band Flip had a minor hit with 'That's what they say about love'. They were signed to Arista two years before, and - this I didn't know - released two singles as Touch before they changed their name to Flip.

This single was the second one: the very same recording of 'That's what they say about love' that would become a hit in 1986. This limited edition double pack includes their debut single 'Plague of hearts' as well. The fun thing about this double pack is that aside from 'That's what they say about love', the other tracks are different from the ones that would end up on Flip's debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 5089
Found: Record fair, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's what they say about love' / 'Nothing really matters' // 'Plague of hearts' / 'Plague of hearts (the imagination) (instrumental)'

Etienne - Guesch Patti

Guesch Patti had a number 1 hit in France with her single 'Etienne' (1987). Despite the French language, which can be quite difficult for non-francophones, the song had a strong enough melody to also give her a top 10 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

The single was subsequently also released in the UK. This version of the single included an exclusive English-language version of the track. Despite this, the single failed to chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 5087
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Etienne' / 'Un espoir', 'Etienne (English version)'

Takin' a chance on you - Dollar

'Takin' a chance on you' was the second single from Dollar's second album 'The Paris collection'. Contrary to its predecessor 'The girls are out to get ya' and the follow-up 'You take my breath away', this single did make the UK singles chart, but only reached number 62.

This copy is a limited edition picture disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 5086
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Takin' a chance on you' / 'No mans land'

Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix) - Cicero

Cicero released his debut single 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' on 12 August 1991 on the Spaghetti Records label, owned by the Pet Shop Boys. Despite promotion from the artist and Pet Shop Boys, the single failed to chart. The two singles that followed, 'Love is everywhere' and 'That loving feeling' were co-produced by Pet Shop Boys and were minor hits in the UK.

His debut album, 'Future boy', was released in June 1992. Pet Shop Boys remixed 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' for the album. It was released as the fourth single and charted at number 70 in the UK. The music video for the single was directed by Chris Lowe.

My collection: 7" single no. 5088
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix)' / 'Jungilism'

Frei - Ofra Haza

One of Israel's most famous singers Ofra Haza competed in the 1983 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hi'. Although the song title means 'Alive' in Hebrew, it was translated into English as 'High' and into German as 'Frei'.

This German version was released on the Jupiter Records label, owned by Ralph Siegel, who has written loads of songs for the Contest. The label has released many Eurovision-related singles through the years.

My collection: 7" single no. 5085
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Frei' / 'High'

Haven't we said goodbye before - Dollar

In 1986, after Dollar reformed for the first time, they released the single 'Haven't we said goodbye before' on Arista records. The lack of success of this single and its predecessor 'We walked in love' had them looking for another record contract the next year.

The song, however, is nice enough. The B-side of this single, however, is a contender for the title 'worst B-side ever'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5083
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Haven't we said goodbye before' / 'Platinum rap'

Passengers - Elton John

'Passengers' was released in 1984 as the second single from Elton John's album 'Breaking hearts'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in Australia.

The song was written not only by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, who write most of John's material, but in collaboration with Davey Johnstone and Phineas McHize.

My collection: 7" single no. 5082
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Passengers' / 'Lonely boy'

I can hear your heartbeat - Chris Rea

On his album 'New light through old windows' (1988) Chris Rea re-recorded the tracks that made him famous in the Eighties. They were not always better versions, but I guess the man felt the need to do these songs once again.

The album spawned three singles, of which 'I can hear your heartbeat' was the last one. It was the least successful one, too: it only reached number 74 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5081
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can hear your heartbeat' / 'Loving you again (live version)'

Never turn away - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

When I visited the record fair in Utrecht a year ago, I saw the single 'Never turn away' and thought I already owned it. I was very dismayed upon my arrival home to find that I didn't. So a year later, back at the record fair, I found that same single with a different dealer... and snapped it up.

'Never turn away' was released as the fourth and final single from the band's 1984 album 'Junk culture', the one that spawned better known hits 'Locomotion', 'Talking loud and clear' and 'Tesla girls'. This single only reached number 70 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 5080
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never turn away' / 'Wrappup'

Shine - Mike Oldfield with Jon Anderson

'Shine' was released in 1986 as a single by Mike Oldfield, featuring Jon Anderson on vocals. It barely scraped the UK singles chart, reaching number 100, but peaked at number 31 in the German singles chart.

The music video for 'Shine' features use of computer graphics, such as a computer generated game of chess. Oldfield plays a Gibson SG guitar in the video.

My collection: 7" single no. 5079
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Shine' / 'The path'

California blue - Roy Orbison

'California blue' was written by Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty. The latter two worked with Orbison on what was to become his last album, 'Mystery girl'. The album was released briefly after he died in December 1988, since the lead single 'You got it' had already become a hit while he was still alive.

The song was released as the third single from the album in the spring of 1989. It wasn't a hit, stalling at number 77 in the UK singles chart and sinking without a trace in most European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 5078
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'California blue' / 'Blue Bayou (live)'

In the air tonight ('88 remix) - Phil Collins

Phil Collins' debut solo single 'In the air tonight' was re-released in 1988 as a remix. The remix was made by Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham, although a more accomplished remix by Ben Liebrand existed (and was included on 12" and cd-single versions of this single).

The re-release could not give the song a higher chart placing than the original release from 1981, but still it did well: peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and at number 3 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5077
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'In the air tonight ('88 remix)' / 'I missed again'

Sisters are doin' it for themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin

'Sisters are doin' it for themselves' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. It was intended as a feminist anthem. They recorded the track together with American soul/R&B musician Aretha Franklin and released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985. It was featured on both Eurythmics' 'Be yourself tonight' and Franklin's 'Who's zoomin' who?' albums.

The single reached number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 9 in the UK Singles Chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5076
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sisters are doin' it for themselves' / 'I love you like a ball and chain'

All that she wants - Ace of base

Back in 1992, they were presented as a modern day Abba, the Swedish quartet Ace of base. And they certainly started out promising: 'All that she wants' quickly became a number one hit in Denmark, the UK and Australia. The single was certified Platinum in the United States, where it peaked at number 2. It is one of the highest-selling #2 songs of all time in the States: it stayed in the top three songs on Billboard Hot 100 list for three months, but never actually reached the peak position.

Although the band still exists, both female members have left the group a few years ago and have been replaced. Their albums were all less successful than its predecessor: debut album 'Happy nation' selling 21 million copies worldwide, while the 2002 album 'Da capo' only sold half a million copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 5075
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'All that she wants (radio edit)' / 'All that she wants (Banghra version)'

Love so right - Bee Gees

'Love so right' is a R&B/pop ballad released by the Bee Gees in 1976. The single hit number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It peaked at number 2 in Canada, but was less successful in Europe: in the UK the single only reached number 41, and in Germany it reached number 38.

It was the second single from their 1976 album 'Children of the world'. A year later they would be much more successful with the original soundtrack of the movie 'Saturday night fever'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5074
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Love so right' / 'You stepped into my life'

It's my life - Talk Talk

'It's my life' was the first collaboration between Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, members of Talk Talk. It was released as the band's first single from the album of the same name in January 1984. It reached number 46 in the UK charts, but did better in other countries: number 31 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 30 in Canada and Netherlands, number 33 in Germany, number 32 in New Zealand, number 25 in France and number 7 in Italy.

I didn't have this original single before, so it was interesting to finally buy it. This version features the album track 'Does Caroline know?' on the B-side, whereas the Brazilian single I bought in 1990 features the extended version of 'It's my life'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5073
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'It's my life' / 'Does Caroline know?'

Iko iko - The belle stars

I've seen the Belle Stars, or at least, three of them, during those Here & Now tours at the beginning of this century in the UK, and one of the staples in their set was their version of 'Iko iko'. I never found the single of that track, but here it is... a reissue of the song because, apparently, it was used in the movie 'Rain man'.

Originally, the track was released six years earlier, in 1982. It reached number 35 in the UK singles chart. This re-release gave them a number 14 peak position in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and a number 7 peak position in Australia. The single also re-charted in the UK... peaking at number 98.

My collection: 7" single no. 5072
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Iko iko' (Belle Stars) / 'Leaving Wallbrook / On the road' (Hans Zimmer)