RSVP - Five Star

'R.S.V.P.' was the sixth single release from Five Star's debut album 'Luxury of life'. A limited edition poster bag was released to boost sales, featuring not only two photographs of the band but also a fact file on all five members. Apparently a cassette with dub mixes was included in the package, but I didn't get that when I bought my second hand copy years after the release.

The single peaked at number 45 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 3102
Found: London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'R.S.V.P.' / 'Say goodbye'

Music and lights - Imagination

Even if their music was a bit formulaic, Imagination were masters of the soulpop genre. Or rather, their producers Tony Swain and Steve Jolley knew how to create a sound that the lead singer Leee John's voice thrived in.

'Music and lights' was another example of their brand of music, and successful it was too: it reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2876
Found: London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Music and lights' / 'Music and light (instrumental)'

Everyday - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Everyday' was the third and last single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1993 album 'Liberator'. It was also their last to be released on the 7" vinyl format. Although Paul Humphreys was no longer a member of the band, he was still one of the writers of this song.

It reached number 59 in the UK singles chart and number 60 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2005
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Everyday' / 'Every time'

This is the right time - Lisa Stansfield

Released in August 1989, 'This is the right time' was Lisa Stansfield's first solo success, reaching number 13 in the UK singles chart. The single was released after Stansfield had a hit with the dance combo Coldcut in March that year. 'People hold on' reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and was a Europe-wide hit.

'This is the right time' was included on Stansfield's debut album 'Affection', the same album that would give her her breakthrough single, 'All around the world'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2033
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'This is the right time' / 'Affection'

Running in the family - Level 42

The single 'Running in the family', released in February 1987, was the title track from their most successful album, released in March 1987. The band first performed the song live in 1986, but at the time it featured different lyrics.

The single release peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single stalled at number 83.

My collection: 7" single no. 2821
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Running in the family' / 'Dream crazy'

Saint Saviour Square - China crisis

The fifth studio album by China Crisis was called 'Diary of a hollow horse', which earned critical acclaim, but little commercial success.

The first single from the album was 'Saint Saviour Square', which failed to chart. The B-side was a non-album track (although it was included on the cd version of the album as a bonus track). Walter Becker produced this track, as well as some tracks on the album. He is of course best known for his work with Steely Dan.

My collection: 7" single no. 2518
Found: Record Exchange, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Saint Saviour Square' / 'Back home'

All I want - Howard Jones

On his third album 'One to one', Howard Jones made a more or less deliberate move towards a more 'American' sound. The result was an album that lacked the glossy production of 'Dream into action' (his second album) and the beauty of 'Human's lib' (his debut album).

The first single, 'All I want' was still a rather catchy song. It was released in a limited edition 'booklet' sleeve, featuring various photographs of Howard Jones by Simon Fowler. The single reached number 35 in the UK singles chart and number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1036
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'All I want' / 'Roll right up'