When am I going to make a living - Sade

I don't have a lot of test pressings and white label records, but this one must be pretty sought after by Sade fans. I found it in one of the Music & Video Exchanges in London in a corner of a basement in Camden. I would never have bought it if the sleeve, which was white, had been written on. That way, it was easier to recognise this record - a snip at just 50p.

Not that this particular 12" single had a lot to offer: two tracks from Sade's debut album 'Diamond life' and the B-side 'Should I love you', which I already had at the time. But still, it's a white label record. Collectors items like these are quite hard to find.

My collection: 12" single no. 106
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'When am I going to make a living' / 'Why can't we live together', 'Should I love you'

The pleasure principle - Janet Jackson

The four remixes on this disc were all created by Shep Pettibone. This makes for a rather unvaried compilation, as all four remixes draw from the same ideas: a few samples from 'Let's wait awhile' and 'When I think of you', lots of drum tracks, and of course the vocal track from Janet herself, which is most prominent in the 'acapella' version (which basically is just the vocal track with all the other tracks muted).

There were many of such 12" singles around in the second half of the Eighties. Some of these mixes finally ended up on the remix album 'Control: the remixes', but not all of them. Which makes this 12" single interesting for Janet Jackson collectors after all.

My collection: 12" single no. 557
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, May 14, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'The pleasure principle (Long vocal)', 'The pleasure principle (acapella)' / 'The pleasure principle (12" dub)', 'The pleasure principle (7" vocal)'

Elettrochoc - Matia Bazar

I was never sure it existed, but 25 years after buying the 7" single of Matia Bazar's 'Elettrochoc', I have found a copy of the 12" single. It's a track that lends itself well to an extended version because it's so addictive.

This disc not only contains an extended version of the vocal version, but also of the instrumental version. To top off the whole thing, a previous single, 'Vacanze Romane' is also featured on this disc. It's a wonderful single, a true find.

My collection: 12" single no. 556
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, May 14, 2011
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Elettrochoc [extended]' / 'Vacanze Romane', 'Elettrochoc ([extended] instrumental)'

Don't leave me this way - Communards

As far as gay anthems go, this cover version of Thelma Houston's 'Don't leave me this way' by the Communards must be one of the biggest ones. Performed by Richard Coles, highpitched singer Jimmy Somerville and guest vocalist Sarah Jane Morris, this hi-NRG version topped the charts in several countries.

Several remixes were released, but the 'Gotham City Mix' was without a doubt the longest one. Side A of this 12" single features a remix of 11 minutes and 25 seconds, and side B runs for 11 minutes and 30 seconds. This mix also incorporates the single's B-side, 'Sanctified'.

My collection: 12" single no. 555
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, May 14, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't leave me this way (Gotham City mix)' / 'Don't leave me this way / Sanctified / Don't leave me this way (Gotham City mix)'

Radioactivity - Fatboy Slim

At a time when nuclear facilities are again messing up the environment, it's time to listen to Kraftwerk's timeless 'Radioactivity' again. That song is quite alarming, despite their clean and tidy way of mixing words with music.

This bouncy cover version is something else. It was recorded by Fatboy Slim for the compilation album 'Late night tales' in 2007. The track was released as a limited edition 7" single in October of that year.

My collection: 7" single no. 5109
Found: La La Land, May 14, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Radioactivity' (Fatboy Slim) / 'Everything is everything' (Bootsy Collins)

Behind the mask / Hollywood tonight - Michael Jackson

In December 2010, the first posthumous album by Michael Jackson was released. The first, because as record companies and the estate of Michael Jackson are always interested in getting more money off the legend, there will be loads more in the coming years. You've got to wonder whether that's good news or not.

This album, anyway, was not too bad. Most of the stuff would never have been released had Michael been alive, but it's good to hear some of the tracks. This vinyl single, released on Record Store Day (April 16, 2011) in some territories, features alternate versions of 'Behind the mask' and 'Hollywood tonight'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5108
Found: eBay.co.uk, received May 12, 2011
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Behind the mask (edit)' / 'Hollywood tonight (Throwback mix)'

Classical gas - Mason Williams

Mason Williams was born on August 24, 1938. He is best known for his instrumental piece 'Classical gas', released as a single in 1968, taken from the album 'The Mason Williams Phonograph Record'. Williams was the head writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour at the time of the piece's release and premiered the composition on the show. Williams performed it several times over several episodes.

There is a common misconception that "Classical Gas" was composed and performed by Eric Clapton. Clapton has never recorded a cover of the song. This misconception may possibly be attributed to the fact that Clapton was musical director of, and played much of the guitar music for, the feature film 'The story of us.' The version of the song on the film's soundtrack is actually Williams's own solo-guitar re-recording of it, from his 1970 album Handmade.

My collection: 7" single no. 5104
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,2 euro
Tracks: 'Classical gas' / 'Long time blues'

New York mining disaster 1941 - Bee Gees

'New York mining disaster 1941' recounts the story of a miner trapped in a cave-in. He is sharing a photo of his wife with a colleague ('Mr. Jones') while they hopelessly wait to be rescued. In the second and third verses, the lyrical lines get slower and slower, as to indicate that life is about to expire for the miners. According to the liner notes for the Bee Gees box-set 'Tales from the Brothers Gibb' (1990), this song was inspired by the 1966 Aberfan mining disaster in Wales.

Maurice Gibb recalled in an interview with Mojo magazine: 'The opening chord doesn't sound like a conventional A minor. Barry was using the open D tuning he'd been taught when he was nine, and I was playing it in conventional tuning. It gives an unusual blend. People went crazy trying to figure out why they couldn't copy it.'

My collection: 7" single no. 5102
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,2 euro
Tracks: 'New York mining disaster 1941' / 'I can't see nobody'

If you ever come to Amsterdam - Pussycat

Released in November 1977, 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' was the follow-up to Pussycat's successful single 'I'll be your woman' which reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. By comparison, this single did worse, as it stalled at number 20. Both singles stayed in the chart for seven weeks.

Like all of the band's hits, the song was written by the band's guitarist Werner Theunissen.

My collection: 7" single no. 5101
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' / 'You must have been a beautiful baby'

Tired of toein' the line - Rocky Burnette

Rocky Burnette (born Jonathan Burnette, 12 June 1953) is an American rock and roll singer/musician and the son of rock and roll pioneer, Johnny Burnette. He is best known for his 1980 hit single 'Tired of toein' the line'. The song's lyrics detail an imminent breakup.

The single reached number 8in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 in Australia. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 5099
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tired of toein' the line' / 'Clowns from outer space'

Only yesterday - The Carpenters

"Only Yesterday" is a song recorded by The Carpenters in 1975. It was released on March 14, 1975, and was the Carpenters' last top 10 single in the United States. Composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, it peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The music video features some footage of Karen and Richard at work in the studio. After Karen sang the line, "the promise of morning light", it faded from the studio to a fountain in Huntington Library Gardens in San Marino, California. It then featured some footage of a Japanese bridge.

My collection: 7" single no. 5098
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Only yesterday' / 'Happy'

All night long - Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie was very hot in 1983. He released the album 'Can't slow down' and before he knew it, he had a row of hits on his hands. The first of them was 'All night long', a festive, danceable tune that went to number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, Australia and the Netherlands. In the UK, it reached number 2.

The video was played on television ad nauseam, and I grew rather tired of this track. Fast forward 27 years and I finally bought the single... Because after all, the tune is not bad.

My collection: 7" single no. 5097
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'All night long' / 'Wandering stranger'

First of May - Bee Gees

'First of May' was released as the only single from the Bee Gees' 1969 album 'Odessa'. The song was partially responsible for the departure of Robin Gibb from the group. He wanted his song 'Lamplight' to be the album's first single, while Barry preferred 'First of May'. When Robert Stigwood, their manager, sided with Barry, Robin quit the band.

The single reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 37. Robin Gibb eventually returned to the Bee Gees, after Barry and Maurice released one album as a duo.

My collection: 7" single no. 5100
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,2 euro
Tracks: 'First of May' / 'Lamplight'

Always tomorrow - Gloria Estefan

In 1992, Gloria Estefan released the album 'Greatest hits' to try and make some money with her past successes. Her enormous popularity of the late Eighties was fading a bit, and although her fans were still very much in awe of her, the rest of the world seemed to lose interest. 'Always tomorrow' was a new track included on the album and released as its first single. The song was about starting over in the wake of tragedy or disaster.

The royalties of the single were donated by Estefan to victims of Hurricane Andrew, which ruined much of Miami, Florida in August 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 5093
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Always tomorrow' / 'Words get in the way (live)'

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'