Someone loves you honey - June Lodge and Prince Mohammed

The biggest hit of 1982 in the Netherlands was 'Someone loves you honey' by June Lodge and Prince Mohammed. This reggae version of a country and western tune topped the charts in Jamaica and went on to chart all over Europe.

Although the record was a big hit, it bankrupted producer Joe Gibbs, as he had failed to pay royalties to the songwriter. An album of the same name, featuring the deejay talents of Prince Mohammed was released in 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 4446
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Someone loves you honey' / 'Stay in tonight'

Hot love - Five Star

'Hot love' is the second single from Five Star's self-titled 1990 album. The single was, like the album, recorded in their new studio built in the grounds of their family home in Ascot, Berkshire. When the single only reached number 68 in the UK singles chart, the press were quick to declare Five Star's bankruptcy, although the band refuted those claims, saying that they were in fact very happy and wealthy, after all the fortunes their previous hits had brought them.

Still, bad times were ahead as the album was shelved by the record company after the disappointing result of the single. The album was released in the USA, and only available as an import in the UK. The band subsequently left Epic and pursued a career in the United States.

My collection: 7" single no. 4445
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Hot love' / 'Act one'

Together we're strong - Mireille Mathieu and Patrick Duffy

The singing aspirations of the actors from the popular evening drama 'Dallas' has led to some pretty embarrassing results. Readers of this blog have already heard the single by Charlene Tilton, and here is another shocking example.

Mireille Mathieu and Patrick Duffy recorded 'Together we're strong' in 1983 when Duffy appeared in Mathieu's French television show. The song, which was written by Ralph Siegel and Richard Palmer James, was released as a single and, unbelievably, became a hit all over Europe. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Together we're strong' landed at number 5. I bought this single strictly for its comedy value.

My collection: 7" single no. 4444
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Together we're strong' / 'Something's going on'

What kind of dance is this - Veronica Unlimited

Producer Hans van Hemert formed Veronica Unlimited on the occasion of the 12,5 year jubilee of the Dutch broadcaster Veronica's Dutch Top 40. His idea to make a disco medley of old hits, combined with jingles from Radio Veronica, was realised by singers such as Margriet Eshuijs and Sandra Reemer, although the line-up soon changed to include four German singers: Manfred Kohler, Edna Bejarano, Gabi Kreutz and Angie Kreutz.

'What kind of dance is this' was the group's first single and also their biggest hit. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1977. The B-side of this single features a disco version of the classic melody 'Für Elise'. Subsequent releases couldn't match this success, and ultimately the group broke up in 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 4443
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'What kind of dance is this' / 'Ferme la porte'

Manhattan - G'Race

The band Grace, then without apostrophe, is founded in 1968 by Henk van der Burgh and his two brothers Frans and John, together with Ronald Dobber and Guido Collard. The band plays predominantly covers. In 1970, John and Frans van der Burgh leave the band, and they are replaced by Ed Kemperman and Peter de Wijn. Their debut single 'I hear music' is released in 1975, but it doesn't chart. Two further singles also flop.

In 1979, singer Gerda van den Outenaar joins the band. It ultimately results in a change of the band name in 1983 to G'Race and a contract with a bigger record company. G'Race's first single 'Manhattan' is released and peaks at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. It's the first of three hit singles, after which the band keeps trying for success without results.

My collection: 7" single no. 4442
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Manhattan' / 'Manhattan (part 2)'

The message is love - Arthur Baker and the backbeat disciples

Arthur Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 22, 1955. During the Seventies he started working as a DJ in the Boston area. In 1981, he moved to New York, where he continued to work as a DJ, while also moving into production. He produced amongst others Afrika Bambaataa and Planet Patrol.

In the late Eighties and early Nineties, Baker worked with soul star Al Green, writing and producing the international hit 'The message is love'. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 38 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4441
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'The message is love' / 'The message is love (Cupid mix)'

Gonna make you a star - David Essex

'Gonna make you a star' was released in the autumn of 1974 as a single by David Essex. The song was written by himself and produced by Jeff Wayne. The record features a prominent use of the synthesizer.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, spending three weeks at the top in November 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, where it entered in January 1975, it peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 4440
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Gonna make you a star' / 'Window'