I love your smile - Shanice

'I love your smile' was released as the first single from Shanice Wilson's 1992 album 'Inner child'. The song features a saxophone solo by Branford Marsalis. Shanice actually says 'Blow, Branford, Blow' during the solo. Janet Jackson and René Elizondo can be heard laughing at the end of the song.

The single reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, whereas in the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 1. It is the most successful hit of Shanice's career.

My collection: 7" single no. 1555
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I love your smile (radio version)' / 'I love your smile (instrumental)'

Love the life - Bass Culture featuring Gina G

This promotional double 12" single was a steal at 1 pound. I found it during a holiday in London. I was already familiar with Gina G, so I was a bit intrigued what this track would be like. According to the promo sheet enclosed in this set, 'Bass Culture exploded onto the international music scene in the early Nineties with their debut single 'Love the life' establishing them as Australia's leading dance outfit. The track featuring Gina G of 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit' fame, was the first in a string of successful singles for the band.'

Well, in Australia maybe, but in Europe no-one had heard of Bass Culture. And they never would, because they wouldn't reach the UK singles chart with this release either.

My collection: 12" single no. 310
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love the life (Club mix)', 'Love the life (radio edit)' / 'Love the life (Hard life mix)' // 'Love the life (Pee Wee's mix)' / 'Love the life (Ivan Gough's mix)'

Outer space girl - The Beloved

On my way to Haaksbergen last Monday I had the album 'Conscience' by the Beloved on my iPod. It surprised me that this album from 1993 still sounded so great. It's uplifting music, that will work whether your mood is good or bad.

'Outer space girl' was the third single lifted from the album. For a long time I thought it was also the last single, but it seems that the track 'Rock to the rhythm of love' was released as a fourth single - although I'm not sure if a 7" single exists. So far, all I've seen are promotional 12" singles on eBay. 'Outer space girl' reached number 38 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1992
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Outer space girl' / 'Outer space girl (Space Hopper mix)'

What's the colour of money? - Hollywood Beyond

Hollywood Beyond was basically a one-man band, consisting of Birmingham-based singer-songwriter Mark Rogers. The first single issed under the Hollywood Beyond name was 'What's the colour of money', an instant hit in Europe, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1986.

The song also hit number 21 in Germany, number 14 in Switzerland and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was featured on Hollywood Beyond's debut album 'If', released in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 2880
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What's the colour of money?' / 'Hollywood Beyond'

If it's alright with you baby - The Korgis

The Korgis released 'If it's alright with you baby' in 1980 as the second single from their second album 'Dumb waiters'. The single version was slightly different from the album version, omitting a few synthesizer sounds in the musical break in the middle of the song.

The single reached number 56 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a slightly disappointing chart performance after the top 10 hit 'Everybody's got to learn sometimes'.

My collection: 7" single no. 808
Found: All that music, Leiden, May 5, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If it's alright with you baby' / 'Love ain't too far away'

Schoolgirl - Kim Wilde

'Schoolgirl' was released in the summer of 1986 as the first single from Kim Wilde's fifth studio album 'Another step'. The song was written shortly after the Chernobyl disaster by Kim Wilde herself, marking the first time that a song co-written by her was released as a single. Produced by her brother Ricki Wilde and German producer Reinhold Heil (who'd previously worked with Nena, amongst others), the single was released in Europe and Australia only.

The single reached number 7 in the Danish chart and number 38 in Germany. In other territories, the single didn't chart, prompting the UK record company to skip this single altogether and choose another track as the first single from the album: 'You keep me hangin' on'.

My collection: 7" single no. 415
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, June 19, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Schoolgirl' / 'Songs about love'

Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

Simon Climie and Rob Fisher formed Climie Fisher in 1986. They recorded 'Rise to the occasion' a year later. The original version, featured here on this single, is a glossy pop ballad. This version did not reach the charts.

Sensing a commercial opportunity, they had the track remixed, making it sound more like a hiphop record. Artistically this was reprehensible, but they did score a number 1 hit with it in the Netherlands and South Africa. Obviously, I still prefer this 'angry niggaz'-free version.

My collection: 7" single no. 616
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion' / 'Mental block'