Special kind of love - Dina Carroll

Dina Carroll was born as Geraldine Carroll on August 21, 1968 in Newmarket, Suffolk (UK). She started singing at age of five, primarily at home with her sister. Despite the lack of formal vocal coaching, in 1981, at the age of thirteen, she won a local Cambridgeshire talent competition, with her rendition of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman in Love'. After leaving school, she worked in various jobs, including a one-day stint as a chambermaid in a Cambridge hotel in 1985.

In 1989, Carroll secured a recording contract with Jive/Zomba and released a number of singles in 1989 and 1990. After a short time at Jive/Zomba, Carroll was spotted by Dennis Ingoldsby, one half of First Avenue Management, a small and newly founded management group. She was signed to A & M Records by managing director Howard Berman. Carroll's first solo single (produced and co-written by Nigel Lowis) 'Ain't no man' was released in June 1992, reaching number 16 in the UK singles chart. Carroll and Lowis worked on future singles together, one of which being the top 20 hit 'So close', which was released in December 1992; coincidentally the title of her debut album. Carroll was approached by Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C&C Music Factory who invited her to New York to become the first British artist to work with them. Carroll interrupted the writing and recording of her album to record 'Special kind of love', which also reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5092
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Special kind of love' / 'If I knew you then'

Heartache avenue - The Maisonettes

The Maisonettes were an English band formed by Lol Mason and Mark Tibenham. Their debut single, 'Heartache avenue', reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983. It was also a big hit in the rest of Europe - I heard the song so often back in 1983 that it really bored me in the end.

I finally bought this single now because it was so cheap and because the feeling of boredom has finally worn off after almost two decades. And now it turns out the B-side of the single, 'The last one to know', is actually quite brilliant.

My collection: 7" single no. 5091
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Heartache avenue' / 'The last one to know'

Two rivers - The Adventures

The Adventures debuted in 1984 with the album 'Theodore and friends' which has recently been released on cd by Cherry Red records (Buy it here). The fourth and final single taken from that album was released after the relative success of 'Send my heart' and 'Feel the raindrops'.

Unfortunately, this single stalled at number 96 and this meant that the album didn't get the much needed promotional push. Fortunately, the band's second album, released in 1988, would do much better.

My collection: 7" single no. 5090
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Two rivers' / 'Love in chains (live)'

That's what they say about love - Touch

In 1986 the band Flip had a minor hit with 'That's what they say about love'. They were signed to Arista two years before, and - this I didn't know - released two singles as Touch before they changed their name to Flip.

This single was the second one: the very same recording of 'That's what they say about love' that would become a hit in 1986. This limited edition double pack includes their debut single 'Plague of hearts' as well. The fun thing about this double pack is that aside from 'That's what they say about love', the other tracks are different from the ones that would end up on Flip's debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 5089
Found: Record fair, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's what they say about love' / 'Nothing really matters' // 'Plague of hearts' / 'Plague of hearts (the imagination) (instrumental)'

Etienne - Guesch Patti

Guesch Patti had a number 1 hit in France with her single 'Etienne' (1987). Despite the French language, which can be quite difficult for non-francophones, the song had a strong enough melody to also give her a top 10 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

The single was subsequently also released in the UK. This version of the single included an exclusive English-language version of the track. Despite this, the single failed to chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 5087
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Etienne' / 'Un espoir', 'Etienne (English version)'

Takin' a chance on you - Dollar

'Takin' a chance on you' was the second single from Dollar's second album 'The Paris collection'. Contrary to its predecessor 'The girls are out to get ya' and the follow-up 'You take my breath away', this single did make the UK singles chart, but only reached number 62.

This copy is a limited edition picture disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 5086
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Takin' a chance on you' / 'No mans land'

Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix) - Cicero

Cicero released his debut single 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' on 12 August 1991 on the Spaghetti Records label, owned by the Pet Shop Boys. Despite promotion from the artist and Pet Shop Boys, the single failed to chart. The two singles that followed, 'Love is everywhere' and 'That loving feeling' were co-produced by Pet Shop Boys and were minor hits in the UK.

His debut album, 'Future boy', was released in June 1992. Pet Shop Boys remixed 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' for the album. It was released as the fourth single and charted at number 70 in the UK. The music video for the single was directed by Chris Lowe.

My collection: 7" single no. 5088
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix)' / 'Jungilism'