Orinoco flow - Enya

Enya was born as Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin on May 17, 1961 in Gaoth Dobhair, also known as Gweedore in Ireland. She got involved in music when she joined the family band Clannad in 1980. She went solo six years later, when she was contacted to provide music for the BBC television documentary 'The Celts'.

In 1988, Enya achieved an international breakthrough when she released her second solo album 'Watermark'. The single 'Orinoco flow' - the single features an edited version of the album track - sounded fresh and original to the world, and went number 1 in the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 729

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 2, 1989

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Orinoco flow' / 'Out of the blue'

Silent lucidity - Queensryche

'Silent lucidity' is a single by the American hardrock band Queensrÿche. It was released as the fifth single from their 1990 album 'Empire'. The track is an epic piece incorporating an orchestra and a compelling melody. Only hardrock bands are able to make ballads like this. The single peaked at number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 in the Dutch top 40. In the UK it did not chart, but when it was re-relased in 1992, it made number 18.

The original release of the single in the UK was supported by a single box set including five individual band member prints and two cutout cartons of the band logo.

My collection: 7" single no. 1497

Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, August 1, 1991

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Silent lucidity' / 'The mission (live)'

The blood that moves the body - A-ha

'The blood that moves the body' was released as the second single from A-ha's third album 'Stay on these roads' in June 1988. The enigmatic lyrics of this song have been attributed to many things, including teen suicides in Japan and literary references to 'eyes of a blue dog'. World sales reportedly amounted to 400,000 copies.

Personally I thought this was one of the weaker tracks on the album. It was re-released in March 1992 as a remixed version.

My collection: 7" single no. 648

Found: Free Record Shop, Leiden, August 19, 1988

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'The blood that moves the body' / 'There's never a forever thing'

Shakti (The meaning of within) - Monsoon

Shakti, from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that move through the entire universe. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as 'The Great Divine Mother' in Hinduism. On the earthly plane, Shakti most actively manifests through female embodiment and fertility.

So this, apparently, is what this song is about. The band Monsoon was never short of Indian influences in their music. The song itself is a good uptempo track, which unfortunately did not meet with much commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 3786

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Shakti (The meaning of within)' / 'And I you'

Try jah love - Third world

The Jamaican reggae band Third world formed in 1973 when Michael "Ibo" Cooper and Stephen "Cat" Coore left Inner Circle to form their own band. They recruited Cornel Marshall, Irving "Carrot" Jarrett and singer "Prilly". When they released their second album '96° in the Shade' "Prilly" was replaced by "Bunny Rugs" Clarke and an all-new rhythm section: Ritchie Daleyand former Inner Circle drummer Willie Stewart.

Third World's greatest success came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, peaking with their cover version of The O'Jays' 'Now that we found love', a worldwide hit single in 1979. This song brought them to the attention of Stevie Wonder, who worked with them and co-wrote their next hit 'Try jah love'. The single peaked at number 3 in the Netherlands in the autumn of 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 3777
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Try jah love' / 'Inna time like this'

Straight ahead - Nick Straker Band

'Straight ahead' was released as a single from the Nick Straker Band in 1982. It was completely unsuccessful, and I can honestly say I never heard this track anywhere. Buying this was a complete gamble. But it paid off: this is a very danceable and melodic track, vaguely reminiscent of earlier material, but also very different.

The track was remixed by François Kevorkian, the French DJ and remixer who is most famous for his work with Kraftwerk, Eurythmics and U2. He also mixed Depeche Mode's biggest-selling album 'Violator' as well as many of their 12" club remixes.

My collection: 7" single no. 3781

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Straight ahead' / 'Straight ahead (instrumental reprise)'

Listen to what the man said - Wings

'Listen to what the man said' was recorded in early 1975 by Wings during their New Orleans sessions for the album 'Venus and Mars'. The song featured new member Joe English on drums, with guest musicians Dave Mason on guitar and Tom Scott on soprano saxophone.

The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3778

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Listen to what the man said' / 'Love in song'