Take Four EP - Mike Oldfield

The EP 'Take Four' was released in 1978. It contained one new track: 'Wrekorder Wrondo', plus three previous singles. 'Sailors hornpipe' was the finale on Mike Oldfield's most famous album, 'Tubular bells', while 'Portsmouth' and 'In dulci jubilo' were top 5 hits in the UK in 1976 and 1975 respectively.

Although this collection of tracks spans five years, it's surprising to hear the consistency in the sound of this EP. It's not that the tracks sound the same, but the folky instrumentation is there throughout the entire EP.

My collection: 7" single no. 4238
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Portsmouth', 'In dulci jubilo' / 'Wrekorder wrondo', 'Sailors hornpipe'

Give a little bit - Supertramp

Supertramp released one of their best albums in 1977 with 'Even in the quietest moments'. 'Give a little bit' was the opening track on the album, and also released as the first single from the album. Writing credits for the song were given to Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, members of the band, although it really is a Hodgson composition.

The single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4237
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Give a little bit' / 'Downstream'

The heat is on - Glenn Frey

'The heat is on' was written by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey and recorded by Glenn Frey for the sountrack of the 1984 movie 'Beverly Hills cop'. The recording starts with an intriguing intro, then turns into a rather straightforward pop song.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and Australian singles chart, and peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4236
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The heat is on' (Glenn Frey) / 'Shoot out' (Harold Faltermeyer)

Americanos - Holly Johnson

Back in 1989, I didn't really like the track 'Americanos', written and performed by Holly Johnson. It was basically a listing of all the things I didn't like about the American junk culture - except maybe those Oreo cookies.

It was Holly Johnson's second solo single, after leaving his band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4235
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Americanos' / 'Americanos (Mambo dub mix)'

Oh yeah - Roxy Music

'Oh yeah' was written by Bryan Ferry. He explained in an interview: 'In this song I was trying to create a picture of Americana, and long hot summer evenings at drive-in movies. It is wistful and nostalgic, rather like a country record.'

The track was released as the second single from Roxy Music's 1980 album 'Flesh + Blood'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, just like the previous single 'Over you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4234
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Oh yeah' / 'South downs'

Johnny Blue - Lena Valaitis

Valaitis was born in Memel (Klaipėda), in 1943 part of the Memel Territory of East Prussia, Germany, now in Lithuania. Her father, a soldier of the Wehrmacht, was killed during World War II. At the end of the war, Valaitis, her mother, and her brother arrived as refugees in West Germany.

She began her musical career by joining the band Frederik Brothers. She signed a record contract with Philips in 1970 and released her first single, 'Halt das Glück für uns fest' that same year. Six years later she enjoyed her first big chart success with 'Da kommt José der Straßenmusikant'. In 1981, she represented Germany during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Johnny Blue', which finished second.

My collection: 7" single no. 4217
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Johnny Blue' / 'Jeder Mensch hat seinen Traum'

Nobody's perfect - Mike and the Mechanics

'Nobody's perfect' was the first single from Mike and the Mechanics' 1988 album 'The living years'. With its rather original sound, the track still failed to catch the attention of the general public and went by almost unnoticed. Still, I got to know the song because my sister bought it when it came out.

The single reached number 63 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 80 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4233
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Nobody's perfect' / 'Nobody knows'