Sweetest child - Maria McKee

The sleeve of 'Sweetest child' states 'featuring Maria McKee', but since no other artist is mentioned, I always take this simply as a song by her. And indeed, it was written by McKee with Brody and Glover, so my assumption should be correct.

The other assumption I made when this single came out, was that it would be a hit. I wasn't right in that respect: the single flopped in the territories I know about. Still, it is a nice song and there is no real explanation for its lack of success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1690
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 1, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sweetest child (7" version)' / 'Acapella sweetest child'

Red tape - The Nits

The Nits released their fourth album 'Work' in 1981. It didn't reach the album chart in the Netherlands, but the album did spawn one hit: the single 'Red tape', released in January 1982, got to number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song is a beautiful slice of synthpop with a slightly mysterious lyric. I always liked this track, and was really glad when I found the single seven years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 737

Found: All that music, Leiden, February 9, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Red tape' / 'Goodbye, mr. Chips!'

Walking on air - Frazier Chorus

To strengthen their image as a dance-oriented band, Frazier Chorus released two different 12" singles of the track, of which this was the second. It contains three remixes of the track: a 12" version, the 'Maharishi Yogi mix' and an instrumental remix called '18 hole doc marten mix'.

This second 12" single contains a calendar poster for the year 1991. Judging from the state of the poster, the one I bought as a second hand copy was actually used by someone.

My collection: 12" single no. 179
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Walking on air', 'Walking on air (Marahishi Yogi mix)' / 'Walking on air (18 hole doc marten mix)'

Walking on air - Frazier Chorus

To strengthen their image as a dance-oriented band, Frazier Chorus released two different 12" singles of the track, of which this was the first. It contained the extended mix of 'Walking on air' (which also appeared on the cd-single format), plus an exclusive dub instrumental. Both tracks were remixed by Youth.

My collection: 12" single no. 178

Found: Record exchange, London, October 1993

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Walking on air (extended mix)' / 'Walking on air (dub instrumental)'

Walking on air - Frazier Chorus

Continuing the Easter theme, this is the sleeve of the last single by Frazier Chorus, released in 1990. The single version of 'Walking on air' was remixed by Youth and continued Frazier Chorus's move towards more dance-oriented music.

Sounding a lot like other bands around at the time, Frazier Chorus lost the thing that made them 'different', their identity. And so this was their last release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2525

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Walking on air' / 'Walking on air (album version)'

Heaven - Frazier Chorus

I saw the Pope today, speaking about life after death and all that malarkey. To use the words of Frazier Chorus' 1990 single: 'It seems our eternal reward / is to hang out in heaven, eternally bored'. Since it's Easter today, I thought this sleeve was a fitting tribute: after all, Easter is not about religion but about eggs. As we all know.

My collection: 7" single no. 2760

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Heaven' / 'Heaven (God like edit)'

Lovefool - The Cardigans

The Swedish band The Cardigans formed in Jönköping in 1992. Heavy metal musicians Peter Svensson and Magnus Sveningsson formed the band together with singer Nina Persson plus Bengt Lagerberg and Lars-Olof Johansson. Their debut album 'Emmerdale' was released in 1994, followed by the second album 'Life' in 1996. Signing to Mercury Records in 1996, their first international release 'First band on the moon' featured the hit 'Lovefool'.

The single peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and topped the chart in New Zealand. I found this limited edition white vinyl 7" single while on holiday in London. The band had some further international hits but unfortunately they weren't released on 7" vinyl. What a shame!

My collection: 7"single no. 3262

Found: Record exchange, London, October 20, 2000

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Lovefool' / 'Nasty sunny beam'