Prime time - Alan Parsons Project

Released as the second single from the Alan Parsons Project's 1984 album 'Ammonia avenue', 'Prime time' was the follow-up to 'Don't answer me'. The success of that single was so phenomenal, that this single could never compare, but still it reached number 34 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The title of the album was inspired by Eric Woolfson's visit to Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Billingham, England, where the first thing he saw was a street with miles of pipes, no people, no trees and a sign that said 'Ammonia Avenue'. The album focused on the possible misunderstanding of industrial scientific developments from a public perspective and a lack of understanding of the public from a scientific perspective.

My collection: 7" single no. 5016
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Prime time' / 'The gold bug'

The eve of the war - Jeff Wayne

I have The eve of the war, The eve of the war and The eve of the war, but now I've also got 'The eve of the war', an original German pressing with a very different sleeve. This particular pressing contains the version sung by Chris Thompson, whereas later pressings would feature Justin Hayward on vocals.

The way I understand it, this single is the rarest one of all four, which made it all the more amazing I found it for such a low price. The world of record collecting is baffling sometimes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5015
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The eve of the war' / 'The red weed'

Keeping the mystery alive - Climie Fisher

Climie Fisher released 'Keeping the mystery alive' in 1987 as their third single. Although a flop in most territories, it reached number 35 in the German singles chart. The track was produced by Steve Lillywhite and mixed by Bruce Forrest.

Their next single was to be 'Rise to the occasion', the biggest hit in the duo's career.

My collection: 7" single no. 5014
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Keeping the mystery alive' / 'Nothing but a feeling'

Mad about you - Belinda Carlisle

After the Go-Go's broke up in 1985, Belinda Carlisle (born August 17, 1958) embarked on a solo career. Her first solo album 'Belinda' was released in 1986. It was a successful album in the USA and Canada, although it didn't trouble the charts in Europe.

'Mad about you' was released as a single from the album, reaching number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and also reaching the top 10 in Australia. Duran Duran's Andy Taylor played guitar on some of the tracks on the album and appeared in the music video for 'Mad about you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5013
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mad about you' / 'I never wanted a rich man'

Vienna / The voice - Ultravox

Ultravox became famous in 1980 when their single 'Vienna' became a Europe-wide hit. The Conny Plank-produced album of the same name became a classic album as well, and the band continued to churn out wonderful hits all through the Eighties.

This 'Old gold' single brings together two of their biggest hits: 'Vienna' and 'The voice'. The band has reformed two years ago, did two very successful tours in 2009 and 2010 and this year they are planning to release a whole new album. There is a God.

My collection: 7" single no. 5012
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Vienna' / 'The voice'

More than a woman - Tavares

Quite possibly one of the best tracks from the soundtrack of 'Saturday night fever', the Tavares brothers recorded 'More than a woman', a track written by the Bee Gees and did some wonderful harmonies in it, especially near the end of the song. It was an era in which black artists were actually able to record something worth listening to.

'More than a woman' was actually recorded by the Bee Gees themselves too - and both versions appeared on the soundtrack of the movie.

My collection: 7" single no. 5011
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'More than a woman' / 'Keep in touch'

Right on - Veronica Unlimited

The Dutch producer and composer Hans van Hemert wanted to record a medley of wellknown hits. He needed a group, found three models, Iris Wolkenstein, Gaby and Angie Kreutz with their friend Manfred Köhler and called them Veronica Unlimited, after the popular Dutch broadcasting organisation. Their first single 'What kind of dance is this' was a big hit in several countries.

This single, 'Right on', was its follow-up. Although less successful, it still managed to reach number 30 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1978. The B-side is particularly amusing if you want to hear four Germans sing a medley of Dutch children's songs. The pronunciation of 'papier' ('paper'), which is a word both in German and Dutch is unmistakably German.

My collection: 7" single no. 5010
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Right on' / 'Childrens opera'