Reet petite - Jackie Wilson

'Reet petite' by Jackie Wilson was re-released in December 1986 after a clay animation video was shown in the BBC 2 documentary series 'Arena'. This re-release gave Jackie Wilson a big hit all over Europe, three years after his death. The single reached number 1 in the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland.

The song was written by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo, a pseudonym of Jackie's cousin Billy Davis. It was Jackie Wilson's first recording as a solo artist after leaving the Dominoes. The song peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 6 on the UK singles chart in 1957.

My collection: 7" single no. 4260
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Reet petite' / 'You brought about a change in me', 'I'm the one to do it'

If I had you - The Korgis

For the second time I bought the single 'If I had you' by the Korgis. I already had this version, which includes two tracks on the B-side, but this single only includes one of them. Furthermore, the sleeve design is similar to the one of 'Young 'n' Russian', also released in 1979.

After all this information, one would almost forget that 'If I had you' is simply a lovely pop song, which should have been a big hit all over Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4258
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If I had you' / 'Chinese girl'

Spaceman - Bolland and Bolland

Bolland and Bolland started producing themselves with this single, and in a sense it's the start of a successful career as producers.

'Spaceman', released in 1978, reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and remains their second biggest hit, after 'Wait for the sun', which reached number 11 in 1972.

My collection: 7" single no. 4257
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Spaceman' / 'Young girl'

One man woman - Sheena Easton

'One man woman' was the third single by Sheena Easton, released in November 1980. Recorded at George Martin's Air Studios and produced by Christopher Neil, it was one of the tracks to be included on Sheena Easton's debut album, released in early 1981.

Although the single was released all over Europe (this copy comes from Germany and includes a press info sheet on the single), 'One man woman' only charted in the UK, where it reached number 14.

My collection: 7" single no. 4256
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'One man woman' / 'Summer's over'

Little Willy - The Sweet

The song title 'Little Willy' has to be one of the most obvious double entendres of the Seventies. Still, the Sweet got away with it when they released the single in 1972. Like most of their hit singles right up to 1974, the song was written by Chinn and Chapman, who gave the band a rather lightweight pop image. The band members themselves also wrote songs: these heavier rock tracks were always relegated to the B-side (as on this single).

'Little Willy' reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, and went number 1 in Germany. In the Netherlands, the single got as far as number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 4255
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Little Willy' / 'Man from Mecca'

Baker street - Gerry Rafferty

'Baker street' was a track on Gerry Rafferty's second album 'City to city' (1978). It was Rafferty's first release after the legal issues surrounding the formal separation of the band Stealers Wheel in 1975. Rafferty was unable to release any material for three years after the band's break up, while resolving the disputes about the band's remaining contractual recording obligations. Although the album version is 6 minutes long, the single version was shortened by almost two minutes. The song's prominent saxophone hook was played by Raphael Ravenscroft, and the guitar solo by Hugh Burns.

When the track was released as a single, it reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4254
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Baker street' / 'Big chance in the weather'

The heavens are crying - Blue Rondo a la Turk

Chris Sullivan, Christos Tolera, Mark Reilly, 'Choco' Mick, Kito Poncioni, Geraldo d'Arbilly and Moses Mount Bassie formed Blue Rondo a la Turk in the early Eighties, naming themselves after the familiar Dave Brubeck jazz track.

'The heavens are crying' was released as a single in 1982 on the Diable Noir label. The single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4252
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The heavens are crying (part 1)' / 'The heavens are crying (part 2)'