State of the world - Janet Jackson

'Rhythm nation' was perhaps Janet Jackson's most serious album, with lyrics about themes like racism, social injustice and more things like that. 'State of the world' was one of the essential tracks on the album, although it wasn't released as a single in most territories.

This promotional double 12" single features no less than 10 versions of the track, including a 'State of the world Suite' that lasts an impressive 14 minutes. Listening to all the remixes in one go is not recommended: a collection like this needs to be ingested with care.

My collection: 12" single no. 584
Found: Discogs.com, received August 31, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'State of the world (United Nations 12")', 'State of the world (United Nations Dub)', 'State of the world (United Nations instrumental)' / 'State of the world (Third world 7"), 'State of the world (Third world dub)', 'State of the world (Third world instrumental)' // 'State of the world (Suite)' / 'State of the world (State of the house 12")', 'State of the world (Make a change dub)', 'State of the world (World dance mix)'

Easier said than done - Shakatak

Although 'Easier said than done' by Shakatak is hardly the best song ever, it was interesting enough to want to try out this 'special mix long version' when I found this 12" single. It's a mostly instrumental track after all, and I've nothing against a longer version of an instrumental track.

No wonder that this 12" single does exactly as promised: a longer version that keeps you listening. Nothing shocking, but pleasant easy listening.

My collection: 12" single no. 320
Found: [unknown], 1995
Cost: [unknown]
Tracks: 'Easier said than done (special mix long version)' / 'Late night flight'

Doesn't really matter - Janet Jackson

'Doesn't really matter' was the lead single from the Universal Pictures film soundtrack 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps', in which Jackson co-starred with actor Eddie Murphy. It was used as the official theme song for the movie. It became Jackson's ninth number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and her first in the 2000s, staying at the top for three weeks, and also making Jackson the first artist in history to score number-one singles in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

An alternate mix of the song was later included on Jackson's seventh studio album, 2001's 'All for You'. This 12" single features three remixes of the track, one of which didn't appear on the cd-single at the time. The three remixes on the B-side are basically instrumental versions of these remixes and thus less interesting.

My collection: 12" single no. 586
Found: Discogs.com, received August 31, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Doesn't really matter (Rockwilder mix)', 'Doesn't really matter (Jonathan Peters club mix)', 'Doesn't really matter (SpenSane Get Up extended mix)' / 'Doesn't really matter (Rockwilder instrumental)', 'Doesn't really matter (Jonathan peters Soundfactory dub mix)', 'Doesn't really matter (SpenSane Get Up dub mix)'

Little girl - Sandra

I have the 7" single of Sandra's 'Little girl', so it's no surprise that I would buy the 12" single as well. Like the single, this maxi has two tracks, but the A-side comes in an extended version.

Like many 12" singles of the mid-Eighties, the extended version is just that: an extended version of the regular track. It contains some interesting variations on the song, including a drum track that keeps the listener interested.

My collection: 12" single no. 200
Found: Marik, Vienna, July 1994
Cost: 99 Schilling
Tracks: 'Little girl (extended version)' / 'Sisters and brothers'

Any colour you like - Black

Although this blog is dedicated to music on vinyl (the name says it all) I would like to make an exception and make you an offer you can't refuse. There's a lot of music on here you can listen to for free, but this time I'm asking for $1. That's not a lot, is it?

Black has been making beautiful music for 30 years now. In the Eighties he was very successful with the song 'Wonderful life' and subsequent releases. His vinyl output during that time has been featured on this blog (see it here). After that, things became less commercially successful - although the music has always been beautiful. You can hear it for yourself on the new compilation 'Any colour you like', which was released today. You can download it here and if you use the discount code 'mrg4song' it will cost you just £0.75 - 10% of the original price! If you like this blog you MUST download this compilation. If only to do me - and yourself - a favour.

In the heat of the night - Sandra

After the success of '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena', Sandra and her producer Michael Cretu had to come up with a successor. They chose to stick to the success formula: synthesizers, a melodic chorus and male backing vocals.

The 12" single featured a longer version of the track that would also appear on Sandra's debut album 'The long play'.

My collection: 12" single no. 196
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In the heat of the night [longer version]' / 'Heatwave'

The day it rained forever - Aurora

The follow-up to the first single from their self-titled debut album was Aurora's 'The day it rained forever'. A dynamic dance track, which was remixed by no less than five remix teams. Most of the remixes were again unreleased on cd-single.

This double 12" single features seven remixes by the Belgian group Lasgo, the Mancunian dance duo Flip & Fill (DJ's Graham Turner and Mark Hall) and Monoboy. It's quite an attractive package with some rather brilliant remixes.

My collection: 12" single no. 579
Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'The day it rained forever (Lasgo vocal)' / 'The day it rained forever (Flip & Fill vocal)', 'The day it rained forever (Monoboy Dubstramental)' // 'The day it rained forever (Monoboy Vocal)', 'The day it rained forever (Flip & Fill instrumental)' / 'The day it rained forever (Radio edit)', 'The day it rained forever (Flip & Fill radio edit)'