Dance emotions - Peter Godwin

I don't often write about albums on this blog because mostly the lp's I own have been neatly re-released on cd at some point. But I'll gladly make an exception for Peter Godwin's 1982 mini-lp 'Dance emotions'. Basically a collection of alternative versions of his single releases, this album comprises six tracks, including two versions of his most wellknown track 'Emotional disguise', a dance mix of 'Images of heaven', and extended versions of 'Torch songs' and 'Luxury'.

I bought this mini-lp during a record fair. Having never seen a 12" single by Peter Godwin I was very pleased to see all these extended versions collected on one disc.

My collection: LP no. 87

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 7, 1991

Cost: 7,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Emotional disguise (extended version)', 'Torch songs (extended version)', 'French emotions' / 'Images of heaven (dance mix)', 'Cruel heart', 'Luxury (extended version)

Download: here

Funkin' for Jamaica - Tom Browne

Tom Browne was introduced in the Netherlands by the influential TV chart programme Toppop. They recorded a clip of him and his band performing 'Funkin' for Jamaica', which subsequently became a number 3 hit for him in the Netherlands. Originally, Tom Browne is a jazz trumpeter, who worked with Sonny Fortune. His debut album 'Browne Sugar' did not trouble the charts, but the second album, 'Love approach', was more successful. 'Funkin' for Jamaica' features lead vocals by Tonni Smith.

I bought this single during a record fair. My copy of the single was pressed on blue vinyl, a great collector's item.

My collection: 7" single no. 1424

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 7, 1991

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Funkin' for Jamaica' / 'Her silent smile'

Download: Album 'Love approach', including both tracks

Gotta have more love - Climax Blues Band

The Climax Blues Band formed in 1968. They released their twelfth album 'Flying the flag' in 1980. From this album, the single 'Gotta have more love' was drawn. It was a minor hit in the Netherland, reaching no. 38 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1981.

I bought this single at first while I was ill. My mother went to a record store to buy me this single because I really wanted to have it. Unfortunately, the single wasn't in the best state, so a few years later I bought a new copy. Contrary to the original one, this one came in a picture sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 78

Found: Rapsody, Den Haag, 1981 / Parkpop, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 3 guilders / 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Gotta have more love' / 'One for me and you'

Download: Album 'Flying the flag', including both tracks (password: awangarda)

Ain't nobody - Rufus and Chaka Khan

'Ain't nobody' was recorded as a bonus studio track on Rufus & Chaka Khan's live album 'Stompin' at the Savoy'. It was released as a single and reached no. 8 in the UK singles chart and no. 29 in the Dutch top 40. It has become one of Khan's best-known and most-played songs. In 1989, she released a remix of this track as a single, but that version was a lot weaker than the original, which has become an R&B/Soul standard.

I went looking for this single in the late nineties, suddenly remembering how I liked it a decade earlier. I still remember asking for it at Beanos in 1997, but it was sold out. I went back there a year later - while still searching for it in the mean time - and... there it was.

My collection: 7" single no. 2988

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 27, 1998

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Ain't nobody'

Download: here

Half a minute - Matt Bianco

'Half a minute' was the third single taken from Matt Bianco's debut album 'Whose side are you on' (1984). The video was on television almost daily in 1984, when the single came out. It reached no. 23 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't make the Dutch Top 40.

I found the 12" single in London and bought it because it was very cheap. It should be: the sleeve was torn and folded, and the disc wasn't in the best condition. But I was curious to find out what the extended version was like. It's still a lovely, summery song.

My collection: 12" single no. 431

Found: Big Company records, London, 2001

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Half a minute (extended version)' / 'Matts Mood I', 'Matts Mood II'

Download: here

Song 2 - Blur

'Song 2' was the second single released from Blur's self-titled fifth album (1997). The riff-based track, known for its overdriven chorus, is among the most well-known songs. The song was called 'Song 2', according to Damon Albarn, because the working title ended up sticking. It ended up, coincidentally, peaking at no. 2 in the UK singles chart, and lasts for exactly two minutes and two seconds.

The 7" single was released on purple vinyl. This is the main reason why I bought it: I didn't know the track yet, I did however like its predecessor, 'Beetlebum'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2862

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, September 20, 1997

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Song 2' / 'Get out of cities'

Download: cd-single 'Song 2', including both tracks

No more "I love you's" - The Lover Speaks

The Lover Speaks consisted of David Freeman and Joseph Hughes. They formed in 1985 after working in the punk band The Flys. They got a recording contract with A&M Records via Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. After releasing their debut album and this single, they toured with the Eurythmics in 1986. They returned to the studio in 1988 and recorded another album, The Big Lie with Iovine, Stewart and Daniel Lanois producing - only to face A&M Records not wanting to release it. The duo then split. Freeman went on to release a few solo albums in the 1990s.

'No more "I love you's"' got some belated praise when it was covered by Annie Lennox on her album 'Medusa' (1995). I liked that cover and went searching for the original version. I found it on the second to last day of the year!

My collection: 7" single no. 2589

Found: Grammofoonplatenwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'No more "I love you's"' / 'This can't go on'

Download: 'No more "I love you's"' / 'This can't go on'