One night in Bangkok - Murray Head

Only two years after buying the 7" single, I bought the 12" single of 'One night in Bangkok', the hit single from the musical Chess written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from Abba with Tim Rice.

I was curious about this extended version, and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when I heard it. The mix does have an interesting structure, but the idea to incorporate other pieces of music from the musical into this mix was not a particularly good one. Still, 'Chess' fans will certainly like this version.

My collection: 12" single no. 324
Found: Record fair, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'One night in Bangkok [extended version]' / 'Merano'

Love changes (everything) - Climie Fisher

Climie Fisher had their first hit with 'Love changes (everything)' in September 1987, although it only made number 67 in the UK singles chart. After the follow-up 'Rise to the occasion' reached number 10 in that chart three months later, 'Love changes (everything)' was re-released, and that time it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single features both the single version and its B-side, and an extended remix.

My collection: 12" single no. 68
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love changes (everything) (The love mix)' / 'Love changes (everything)', 'Never close the show'

Love is a wonderful colour - Icicle works

The Icicle Works' frontman Ian McNabb sounds suspiciously like David Bowie in this track, 'Love is a wonderful colour'. Their first hit single, entering the UK singles chart on December 24, 1983, it was also their biggest, peaking at number 15 during a 9 week chart run.

This 12" single features an extended remix of almost 7 minutes created by Hugh Jones. The two B-side tracks also appeared on a limited edition double single which I've written about almost three years ago.

My collection: 12" single no. 226
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, 1994
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love is a wonderful colour (long version)' / 'Waterline', 'In the dance the shaman led'

Underground - David Bowie

Back in the Nineties, there was a record fair in Leiden every six months. During that record fair, they used to always play a remix of David Bowie's 'Underground'. It was quite an obscure remix, because as it turned out, that remix does not appear on the 12" single of 'Underground' that was released in 1986. I've never been able to track down that remix. (Any tips are welcome below.)

Meanwhile, I did buy this disc, a Spanish pressing of 'Underground' on 12". That was not a deliberate choice: I just happened to find this copy for a low price, so I bought it. Perhaps some David Bowie fans out there are hunting down this version, I wouldn't know... Anyway, it contains the same tracks as other pressings of this disc: remixes created by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero.

My collection: 12" single no. 269
Found: Record fair, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Underground (Extended dance mix)' / 'Underground (dub)', 'Underground (instrumental)'

Who's that girl - Eurythmics

There was some doubt in my mind upon buying this 12" single, whether it would contain an extended version of 'Who's that girl', as it wasn't described as such on the label. Strange, because the extended version of 'Who's that girl' would be something to brag about as it's actually quite good.

'Who's that girl' was the first single from the band's third album 'Touch' and a top 10 hit in several European countries. In the UK, the single peaked at number 3.

My collection: 12" single no. 605
Found: Record Exchange, London, 200X
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Who's that girl [extended version]' / 'You take some lentils... and you take some rice', 'ABC (Freeform)'

I'm the one who really loves you - Mel & Kim

'I'm the one who really loves you' was originally recorded by British singer Austin Howard in 1986. The track was written and produced by Stock/Aitken/Waterman, who also recorded the track with Mel & Kim a year later for their debut album 'F.L.M.'.

Although never released as a single in Europe where the duo celebrated their biggest successes, the track was remixed by Civilles & Cole and released on 7" and 12" in the USA. I bought the import 12" when it was just released.

My collection: 12" single no. 62
Found: LP Top 100, 1987
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm the one who really loves you (Stardom groove club mix)', 'I'm the one who really loves you (Groove dub)' / 'I'm the one who really loves you (Kick 'n live mix)', 'I'm the one who really loves you (Done properly dub)'

Martha's harbour - All about Eve

All about Eve have really had only one big hit; the immortal 'Martha's harbour'. The single reached number 10 and it was their only single to reach the top 10 in the UK. It was an astonishing success, since at the time, inane house music and assembly line pop from the Stock/Aitken/Waterman stable was dominating the charts.

This 12" single in a box was one of the many formats available at the time. It featured a large poster, signatures of all four band members and two exclusive live tracks on the B-side. It was a numbered limited edition; I have number 4943.

My collection: 12" single no. 271
Found: Record fair, 1996
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Martha's harbour', 'Another door' / 'In the clouds (live)', 'Shelter from the rain (live)'