I'll kiss your memory - Barry Gibb

Although the Bee Gees mainly recorded together, the members of the group also had some solo recordings with medium success. 'I'll kiss your memory' was Barry Gibb's first solo single, released in 1970 as a track from his intended debut solo album The Kid's No Good, but the album remained unreleased as it was decided to focus on a new Bee Gees album instead. 

'I'll kiss your memory' was released worldwide, but only charted in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. The song features an orchestra arrangement by Bill Shepherd. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8388
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'I'll kiss your memory' / 'This time' 

Flirting and showing - Fox the fox

Until now, I've only bought various versions of Fox the fox's only hit single, 'Precious little diamond' (7", 12" and remix version). But they did release a few more singles, and one of them was 'Flirting and showing', a single that ended up just outside of the Dutch Top 40, at number 2 of the Tipparade.

I wasn't that familiar with the song but I took a chance on this single and I'm glad I did. It's a great track with an infectious chorus.

My collection: 7" single no. 8387
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Flirting and showing' / 'Stretching out'

Heart and soul - Exile

A very early favourite song of mine is Exile's 'Heart and soul'. The group scored a huge hit with 'Kiss you all over' before it, but the power pop approach of this song appealed to me more.

It was therefore exhilirating that I discovered there was a 12" single of this song. Quite why I never investigated this before will always remain a mystery, but once I found out I ordered a copy right away. This extended version is excellent and does a lot to make the song even more of an anthem.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 August 2026
Tracks: 'Heart and soul [extended]' / 'Your love is everything' 

Tiger - Promises

Promises was a girl trio that recorded three singles on the CBS label in 1976 and 1977. They debuted with 'The old fashioned way', a cover version of the famous Charles Aznavour song. Their last single was a song called 'Love attack'. But before that, they released this single.

'Tiger' is a cover version of an early Abba song. The sleeve of this promotional single confidently proclaims that a chart placing is almost certain, but the single didn't chart.  

My collection: 7" single no. 8386
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 August 2026
Tracks: 'Tiger' / 'Cry baby' 

Say I'm your no. 1 - Princess

I was lucky enough to buy some 12" singles by Princess recently, but her debut single 'Say I'm your no. 1' was still missing. It was only a matter of time before I would find a copy - and a cheap copy at that. 

This 12" single features three versions of the song, including a 'short version' which isn't really that short at all. Whoever created these versions remains unknown, as only the producers - Stock, Aitken & Waterman - are credited on the sleeve. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered] 
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Say I'm your no. 1 [extended]' / 'Say I'm your no. 1 (short version)', 'Say I'm your no. 1 (senza voce)'

Tomorrow - The Communards

The Communards released several very good 12" singles and when I found this copy of 'Tomorrow' I thought it would be another great extended version of this great song. I wasn't disappointed. The 12" stretches the single version to almost twice its original length. There are also three tracks on the B-side: 'I just want to let you know' (which is also the B-side of the 7" single) plus a solo track by Richard Coles (an instrumental piece) and a solo track by Jimmy Somerville (a vocal track). It's a good package which should have helped the single to a top position.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Tomorrow [extended version]' / 'I just want to let you know', 'Romanze for violin, piano and hedgehog', 'Scat' 

I just can't wait - Mandy Smith

After going through hundreds of 7" singles at Parkstad Record Shop in two hours, I only had ten minutes or so left until closing time to go through the 12" singles. Fortunately there wasn't much there - I managed to get three titles that were mildly interesting. The first one was this one by Mandy Smith.

Mandy Smith's debut single 'I just can't wait' was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, so it was only logical that 12" singles would appear, as the trio was quite prolific at the time. The 'cool and breezy jazz version' was mixed by 'The Extra Beat Boys With The Funky Sisters'. One can only guess who they were. It's not so much jazz as it is a relaxed piece of pop.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'I just can't wait (The cool and breezy jazz version)' / 'I just can't wait (instrumental)', 'You're never alone'