Our lips are sealed - The Visitor featuring Roxanne Wilde

Although Kim Wilde's younger sister Roxanne Wilde has an equally captivating voice and stage presence, she never quite manage to lift her career off the ground in the way her older sister did. Along the way, she did record several interesting records. First with her own band Dimestars, and later with some dance producers.

Her hit with Darren Tate, 'Destination' became a chart hit in May 2003 and soon after that she recorded 'Our lips are sealed' with The Visitor, a.k.a. Jon Pleased. This 12" single features two versions of the track as well as a rather interesting instrumental dance track. Roxanne later became a backing vocalist for Kylie Minogue, so she did alright for herself anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 440
Found: HMV, London, December 2003
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Our lips are sealed', 'Our lips are sealed dub' / 'A month of Sundays'

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

In the summer of 1985, Alison Moyet released her fourth solo single, 'That ole devil called love', a cover of a song originally performed by Billie Holiday. The song didn't appear on her debut album 'Alf', and so it was a nice extra for her fans.

This 12" single features a jazz version of the song as well as an extended remix of the B-side 'Don't burn down the bridge', which was also a non-album track.

My collection: 12" single no. 353
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'That ole devil called love', 'That ole devil called love (Jazz version)' / 'Don't burn down the bridge (extended version)'

Take on me - A-ha

A-ha did their farewell tour last year, causing some grief among their fans, who are coming together this weekend for a fan reunion. Personally I think it's a matter of time before the three Norwegians reunite for another tour and/or album. It may take some years, but in the mean time, there's loads of old records to enjoy.

Such as this one, the original 12" single of 'Take on me', released in 1984 - a year before the single was re-released for the third time and finally became a hit. It's 'Take on me', but not as you know it. I've always liked this version a little better, also because of the exclusive track 'Stop! and make your mind up' which was never released since.

My collection: 12" single no. 19
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (long version)' / 'And you tell me', 'Stop! and make your mind up'

Private dancer - Tina Turner

Although I was never much of a fan of Tina Turner's vocals, I have to admit that her voice was quite suitable for 'Private dancer'. She sounds old and disillusioned enough to carry the lyric of the song, and the fact that she doesn't exactly have a pretty or smooth voice really is a plus here.

This 12" single features the full length version of the song, plus two live tracks of old Ike & Tina Turner chestnuts, recorded live in Chicago on August 2, 1984.

My collection: 12" single no. 134
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1992
Cost: 0,5 pound
Tracks: 'Private dancer (Full length version)' / 'River deep mountain high (live)', 'Nutbush city limits (live)'

Our summer - All about Eve

Collectors items can be very frustrating to a collector, as sometimes you think you may never get hold of them. When I became interested in the band All about Eve, I quickly became aware of their early 'indie' releases. 'Our summer' was released in 1987 as the band's third indie release on 12", and it was one of those frustrating items for me for years.

I finally found a copy during a visit to one of those record exchanges in London, and the price had dropped to an almost acceptable level. I'm still very happy to have found this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 175
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 9 pounds
Tracks: 'Our summer (extended mix)' / 'Lady moonlight', 'Shelter from the rain'

We close our eyes - Go West

Go West's debut single was 'We close our eyes', a great rhythmic track that lends itself well to an extended remix. This 12" single does not disappoint: this six minute remix of the track delivers well in every aspect. The remix was later included on the 1985 compilation album 'Bangs & Crashes'.

Thanks to those wonderful Here & Now Tours at the beginning of this century I've had the pleasure of seeing Richard Drummie and Peter Cox live a couple of times. Thankfully they were still as powerful as two decades earlier.

My collection: 12" single no. 28
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'We close our eyes (Total overhang club mix)' / 'We close our eyes', 'Missing persons'

Hey little girl - Icehouse

The UK single of 'Hey little girl' was already in my possession when I found this 12" single. I wasn't too surprised, then, by the sleeve which was different from the European one. I was, however, quite surprised by the track listing of this disc, as it featured an extended remix of the title track and a remix of the earlier hit single 'Can't help myself'. A good deal, I felt, since I like both tracks.

The design and painting of the sleeve was done by David Storey, who also did artwork for artists as diverse as Blondie, Elton John and The Specials.

My collection: 12" single no. 280
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hey little girl (Australian Disco Mix)' / 'Hey little girl (single mix)', 'Can't help myself (Disco club mix)'