One hello - Randy Crawford

Randy Crawford made a name for herself when she released 'One day I'll fly away' in 1980. It was a track from her fourth solo album Now we may begin. Her first three albums didn't get the amount of success this fourth album did. This was mainly thanks to her guest appearance on the track 'Streetlife' by the Crusaders. Further albums and singles got more recognition from the public.

'One hello' was the first single taken from her sixth album Windsong. The song became a minor hit, peaking at number 35 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 48 in the UK singles chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8452
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'One hello' / 'That's how heartaches are made' 

Theme from Love Story - Francis Lai

I recently bought 'Love story' by Nino Tempo & April Stevens, which is a vocal version of the theme from the movie Love Story by Francis Lai. I was pleased to find a copy of that instrumental piece. 

The vocal version was a big hit in 1972, but this instrumental version, released in the first half of 1971, did alright too: it peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8451
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Theme from Love Story' / 'Skating in Central Park' 

Little Jackie wants to be a star - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam formed after Lisa Velez auditioned for the production team Full Force at age 14. The group signed with Columbia Records, which released their debut single, 'I wonder if I take you home' in 1983 for the compilation album Breakdancing. The single eventually went gold in the United States. That same year, the group released their debut album, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force.

'Little Jackie wants to be a star' was released as a single off their third album Straight to the sky from 1989. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40, but only got to number 90 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100, the single peaked at number 29.

My collection: 7" single no. 8450
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Little Jackie wants to be a star' / 'Star (The Jackie mix)' 

Always another girl - Silver Convention

The best way to describe this single by Silver Convention is 'vacuous but fun'. The song 'Always another girl' isn't very impressive lyrically - lots of repeats - but it's got a good rhythm; perfect for discotheques. The B-side, 'I like it', is equally void of substance. It's bubblegum music, but in a good disco way. 

'Always another girl' was the trio's second single, after 'Save me'. It reached number 29 in the Belgian (Flemish) chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8449
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Always another girl' / 'I like it' 

Masquerade - Sky

Inspired by classical music, Sky recorded several albums with their modern versions of compositions by various composers. Their best-known line-up featured two Australians - classical guitarist John Williams and electric guitarist Kevin Peek - alongside three Britons - bass player Herbie Flowers, drummer/percussionist Tristan Fry and keyboard player Francis Monkman. In 1980, Monkman was replaced by Steve Gray. In March 1982 they released their fourth album, and this single was taken from that one.

'Toccata' remains the band's only successful single, and I have to say that I never came across any other single by the band. Although I'd never heard 'Masquerade', I was intrigued enough to buy this single. The B-side, 'Fantasy', sounds more interesting, I have to say. According to Herbie Flowers, 'John was keen to do 'Fantasy' by Bach'. Turns out he had a good instinct.

My collection: 7" single no. 8448
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Masquerade' / 'Fantasy' 

Wonderful world, beautiful people - Amazulu

The reggae/ska/pop band Amazulu was started by Sharon Bailey and Lesley Beach, together with Rose Miner, the original lead singer. With Debbie Dread joining on drums, initially all the members were female. Miner was later replaced by Anne-Marie Ruddock, and Dread was replaced by John "Nardo" Bailey, whom they called their token male.

Their debut album Amazulu was quite successful, especially in New Zealand and Sweden. The biggest hit single taken from that album was 'Too good to be forgotten', originally recorded by the Chi-lites. By 1987, Ruddock and Bailey were the only members left and they released their second album Spellbound, which didn't chart. 'Wonderful world, beautiful people', a cover version of a song by Jimmy Cliff, was their final single, peaking at number 97 in the UK singles chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8447
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Wonderful world, beautiful people' / 'Wonderful world, beautiful people (instrumental)'

Superman - Vulcano

I bought a single by Vulcano recently ('Staying with it') and I enjoyed it enough to justify buying another one. 'Superman' was their second single after their debut 'Shut up and boogie' and it became their only English-language hit. 

The single entered the Dutch Top 40 on 24 October 1981 and reached number 29. After three more singles in English they switched to Dutch for the national final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands. With 'Een beetje van dit' they would enjoy their only top 10 hit, causing them to stick with Dutch language songs for the rest of their career.

My collection: 7" single no. 8446
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Superman' / 'O-only you'