Hey Presto - Black

Back in 1984, music videos were an integral part of my daily routine. Watching television for a few hours a day just to catch my favourite videos (and songs) was a bit crazy in retrospect, but it did huge favours for developing my own taste in music.

One of the videos I saw back then was Black's 'Hey Presto'. It's one of very few videos I never saw again - and I'm still searching for it now. I bought the 7" single years later and I only found the 12" single now. It was never a hit for Black, although he would be more successful in 1987 with his eternal classic 'Wonderful life'. To hear what the man is up to these days read my entry on Any colour you like.

My collection: 12" single no. 587
Found: Discogs.com, received October 5, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Hey Presto' / 'Stephen', 'Liquid dream'

Kids in America - Euphrasia

Kim Wilde's 'Kids in America' has been covered by numerous singers, punk rock bands, death metal bands and even the occasional dance acts.

Euphrasia was a Belgian outfit, apparently consisting of Peter Neefs and Jan Voermans. Their version of 'Kids in America', released in 1992, is quite dynamic. It has a few nice sound effects, and although the track never becomes better than 'average', it's still an interesting take on a classic track. This 12" single features a 12" version that wasn't available on the cd-single at the time.

My collection: 12" single no. 588
Found: Discogs.com, received October 5, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Kids in America (12" version)' / 'Kids in the house (12" version)'

Worlds apart - The Sinceros

Mark Kjeldsen, Bobby Irwin and Ron François first played together in a London R&B band called The Strutters. The Sinceros were primarily a vehicle for Kjeldsen's composing talents. He sang lead vocals on most of the band's material although François contributed more songs on their later albums.

Their first album, The Sound of Sunbathing, was produced by Joe Wissert and recorded at Wessex Studios in London. The band achieved considerable radio play with its first single, 'Take me to your leader'. The single 'Worlds apart' was released in September 1979 and although it didn't chart in the UK, it managed to reach number 33 in the Dutch Top 40 a month later. I totally forgot about this song, but I remembered the sleeve. And so I finally decided to buy the single today - and memories slowly came back to me. This is a great new wave track.

My collection: 7" single no. 5193
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, September 17, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Worlds apart' / 'Girl I realise (live)'

State of the world - Janet Jackson

'Rhythm nation' was perhaps Janet Jackson's most serious album, with lyrics about themes like racism, social injustice and more things like that. 'State of the world' was one of the essential tracks on the album, although it wasn't released as a single in most territories.

This promotional double 12" single features no less than 10 versions of the track, including a 'State of the world Suite' that lasts an impressive 14 minutes. Listening to all the remixes in one go is not recommended: a collection like this needs to be ingested with care.

My collection: 12" single no. 584
Found: Discogs.com, received August 31, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'State of the world (United Nations 12")', 'State of the world (United Nations Dub)', 'State of the world (United Nations instrumental)' / 'State of the world (Third world 7"), 'State of the world (Third world dub)', 'State of the world (Third world instrumental)' // 'State of the world (Suite)' / 'State of the world (State of the house 12")', 'State of the world (Make a change dub)', 'State of the world (World dance mix)'

Easier said than done - Shakatak

Although 'Easier said than done' by Shakatak is hardly the best song ever, it was interesting enough to want to try out this 'special mix long version' when I found this 12" single. It's a mostly instrumental track after all, and I've nothing against a longer version of an instrumental track.

No wonder that this 12" single does exactly as promised: a longer version that keeps you listening. Nothing shocking, but pleasant easy listening.

My collection: 12" single no. 320
Found: [unknown], 1995
Cost: [unknown]
Tracks: 'Easier said than done (special mix long version)' / 'Late night flight'

Doesn't really matter - Janet Jackson

'Doesn't really matter' was the lead single from the Universal Pictures film soundtrack 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps', in which Jackson co-starred with actor Eddie Murphy. It was used as the official theme song for the movie. It became Jackson's ninth number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and her first in the 2000s, staying at the top for three weeks, and also making Jackson the first artist in history to score number-one singles in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

An alternate mix of the song was later included on Jackson's seventh studio album, 2001's 'All for You'. This 12" single features three remixes of the track, one of which didn't appear on the cd-single at the time. The three remixes on the B-side are basically instrumental versions of these remixes and thus less interesting.

My collection: 12" single no. 586
Found: Discogs.com, received August 31, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Doesn't really matter (Rockwilder mix)', 'Doesn't really matter (Jonathan Peters club mix)', 'Doesn't really matter (SpenSane Get Up extended mix)' / 'Doesn't really matter (Rockwilder instrumental)', 'Doesn't really matter (Jonathan peters Soundfactory dub mix)', 'Doesn't really matter (SpenSane Get Up dub mix)'

Little girl - Sandra

I have the 7" single of Sandra's 'Little girl', so it's no surprise that I would buy the 12" single as well. Like the single, this maxi has two tracks, but the A-side comes in an extended version.

Like many 12" singles of the mid-Eighties, the extended version is just that: an extended version of the regular track. It contains some interesting variations on the song, including a drum track that keeps the listener interested.

My collection: 12" single no. 200
Found: Marik, Vienna, July 1994
Cost: 99 Schilling
Tracks: 'Little girl (extended version)' / 'Sisters and brothers'

Any colour you like - Black

Although this blog is dedicated to music on vinyl (the name says it all) I would like to make an exception and make you an offer you can't refuse. There's a lot of music on here you can listen to for free, but this time I'm asking for $1. That's not a lot, is it?

Black has been making beautiful music for 30 years now. In the Eighties he was very successful with the song 'Wonderful life' and subsequent releases. His vinyl output during that time has been featured on this blog (see it here). After that, things became less commercially successful - although the music has always been beautiful. You can hear it for yourself on the new compilation 'Any colour you like', which was released today. You can download it here and if you use the discount code 'mrg4song' it will cost you just £0.75 - 10% of the original price! If you like this blog you MUST download this compilation. If only to do me - and yourself - a favour.

In the heat of the night - Sandra

After the success of '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena', Sandra and her producer Michael Cretu had to come up with a successor. They chose to stick to the success formula: synthesizers, a melodic chorus and male backing vocals.

The 12" single featured a longer version of the track that would also appear on Sandra's debut album 'The long play'.

My collection: 12" single no. 196
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In the heat of the night [longer version]' / 'Heatwave'

The day it rained forever - Aurora

The follow-up to the first single from their self-titled debut album was Aurora's 'The day it rained forever'. A dynamic dance track, which was remixed by no less than five remix teams. Most of the remixes were again unreleased on cd-single.

This double 12" single features seven remixes by the Belgian group Lasgo, the Mancunian dance duo Flip & Fill (DJ's Graham Turner and Mark Hall) and Monoboy. It's quite an attractive package with some rather brilliant remixes.

My collection: 12" single no. 579
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'The day it rained forever (Lasgo vocal)' / 'The day it rained forever (Flip & Fill vocal)', 'The day it rained forever (Monoboy Dubstramental)' // 'The day it rained forever (Monoboy Vocal)', 'The day it rained forever (Flip & Fill instrumental)' / 'The day it rained forever (Radio edit)', 'The day it rained forever (Flip & Fill radio edit)'

Runaway - Janet Jackson

When Janet Jackson released 'Design of a decade' in 1996, 'Runaway' appeared on the cd as a new track. This new track was released as the first single from the album. The first cd-single at the time featured three remixes of 'When I think of you', whereas the second one featured four remixes of 'Runaway'.

This promotional double 12" single, however, is something else: it features no less than fourteen remixes of 'Runaway'. And only two of them appeared on the aforementioned cd-single. It's a great package, and what's more: most of these remixes are actually quite good!

My collection: 12" single no. 585
Found: Discogs.com, received August 31, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Runaway (G-man's Hip Hop mix feat. Coolio)', 'Runaway (G-man's Hip Hop extended)', 'Runaway (Silk's Old School radio)', 'Runaway (G-man's Club mix)' / 'Runaway (Kelly's Bump & Run 12"), 'Runaway (Kelly's Bump & Run radio)', 'Runaway (Silk's Old School 12")' // 'Runaway (Torin's Chicago Underground)', 'Runaway (Maestro's 95th & Ashland House Dub)', 'Runaway (Silk's Housy mix)' / 'Runaway (Jam & Lewis Street mix edit)', 'Runaway (Jam & Lewis Ghetto mix)', 'Runaway (J.A.M. session mix)', 'Runaway (IndaSoul mix)'

State of independence - Donna Summer

Composed by Vangelis and Jon Anderson and produced by Quicy Jones, 'State of independence', released in 1982 was a glorious piece of pop music. Layered with synthesizers and not too far removed from the aforementioned duo's own version, it was a massive hit for Donna Summer that year.

This limited edition 12" single features both the single edit and the full length track. Alas, no remixes. But the track was eventually remixed in 1996 - and that was a bit of a mixed blessing to say the least.

My collection: 12" single no. 188
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'State of independence (long version)' / 'State of independence (special edit)', 'Love is just a breath away'

Just a little while - Janet Jackson

America was still in shock after having seen (part of) her tit when Janet Jackson's 2004 album 'Damita Jo' was released. It meant that the album did relatively worse than previous albums because the sight of all that flesh meant that no-one could listen to music anymore - of course!

Listening to the album now one can't help but notice that miss Jackson might have been a tad sex-obsessed, but a track like 'Just a little while' - which closes the album - is nothing more or less than a pleasant piece of pop music. The mixes on this 12" single could have been a massive club success.

My collection: 12" single no. 582
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Just a little while (album version)', 'Just a little while (Maurice's Nu Soul remix)' / 'Just a little while (Peter Rauhofer club mix)'

Dreaming - Aurora

I recently wrote about a promotional 12" single of Aurora's 'Dreaming', and here's the other one. This 12" single features three remixes by Love To Infinity, a UK-based remix, production and songwriting team consisting of Andy, Pete and Dave Lee.

It's inevitable that these remixes sound a bit the same, when the full length mix is turned into an edit and a dub version on the B-side. Still, a nice addition to the collection of Aurora remixes.

My collection: 12" single no. 578
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Dreaming (LTI mix)' / 'Dreaming (LTI Instrumental Dub mix)', 'Dreaming (LTI Radio Edit)'

The pleasure principle - Janet Jackson

In 1996 Janet Jackson released her first major compilation album 'Design of a decade'. The release was promoted by the new single 'Runaway', but also by elusive 12" singles with remixes of previous hits. This double 12" package of 'The pleasure principle' is an example of one such releases.

The original 12" featured remixes by Shep Pettibone, and this package is slightly more varied with remixes by Danny Tenaglia.

My collection: 12" single no. 581
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'The pleasure principle (Legendary Club mix)' / 'The pleasure principle (D.T.'s Twilo mix)' // 'The pleasure principle (NuFlava Vocal Dub)' / 'The pleasure principle (Banji dub)'

We might as well be strangers - Keane

'We might as well be strangers' was the fifth single to be released from their 2004 debut album 'Hopes & fears'. It was a bit of a strange release, as it was only released on 10" single. It featured a remix of the track by a certain DJ Shadow.

The single didn't chart in any territory, although the 10" single was readily available in the UK, where the band had had four top 20 singles until then.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'We might as well be strangers (remix)' / 'We might as well be strangers (remix instrumental)'

Remember me - Diana Ross

The nice thing about music is that there's always something new to explore. In 50 years of pop music there's always a song you've never heard and an artist that needs further exploration. Although I own much of Diana Ross's Eighties output, her old work passed me by as I was too young to appreciate it back then.

When Kim Wilde recorded a cover of 'Remember me' on her forthcoming album 'Snapshots' I was curious to hear the original version, and so I ordered one of those charming original UK pressings of the single. I will not pass judgement on which version is the best and leave it for you to decide. 'Snapshots' is out next Friday!

My collection: 7" single no. 5192
Found: eBay, received August 13, 2011
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Remember me' / 'How about you'

Dreaming - Aurora

The British electronic dance music group Aurora formed in 1999 and made it to the charts in the UK that year with the song 'Hear you calling'. After a top 10 hit in 2000 with a cover of the Duran Duran track 'Ordinary world', they recorded their only album, which was released in 2001. 'Dreaming' was the first single lifted from that track, a breezy pop track which was remixed by Love to Infinity, Goldtrix and Stella Browne.

The latter two appear on this promotional 12" single. Strangely, these remixes didn't appear on cd-singles released at the time.

My collection: 12" single no. 577
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Dreaming (Lullaby mix)' / 'Dreaming (Stella Browne dub mix)'

All for you - Janet Jackson

Following on from this one, here's another promotional 12" single of Janet Jackson's 'All for you'. This release comprises two heavyweight vinyl discs, featuring one remix on every side.

With the exception of the original version on side C, the mixes were all created by the remix team of Barry Harris and Chris Cox, a.k.a. Thunderpuss. The club mix on side A also appeared on other releases (including commercial ones) but the two other remixes are quite rare.

My collection: 12" single no. 576
Found: Discogs.com, received August 6, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'All for you (Thunderpuss club mix)' / 'All for you (Thunderdub)' // 'All for you' / 'All for you (Thunderpuss drumapella)'

Holding back the years - Simply Red

Simply Red rose to prominence with this beautiful ballad in 1985. 'Holding back the years' would turn out to be a classic. Taken from their debut album 'Picture book', it launched a career that was ended only last year when front man Mick Hucknall did a farewell tour with Simply Red.

This 12" single features the full length version of 'Holding back the years', as well as a longer version of 'I won't feel bad'. I only bought the 12" single years after its release because my budget didn't stretch that far in 1985. I wanted to have it since the first moment I heard this longer version.

My collection: 12" single no. 124
Found: Record fair, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Holding back the years [extended]' / 'I won't feel bad [extended]', 'Drowning in my own tears'