Sweet memory - Belle Stars

I bought a single of 'Sweet memory' in 2023, but that one was a German release of the song, with 'Sign of the times' on the B-side. This picture disc represents the UK release of 'Sweet memory', with the song 'April fool' on the B-side.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart. It was to be their last single to reach the UK Top 40, as subsequent releases only got to the lower reaches of the chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8313
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 June 2026 
Tracks: 'Sweet memory' / 'April fool'

Save me - Silver Convention

Silver Convention was a vocal girl trio performing disco tracks produced by the German duo Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay. Their first single 'Save Me' was originally recorded with session singers doing the sparse lyrics.

Three German girls, Ramona Wulf - a former child star wanting a change of image - Penny McLean, and Jackie Carter formed the very first line-up. Carter, however, was quickly replaced with Linda G. Thompson after just a few TV-appearances. Their debut album, also titled 'Save Me' in some territories, featured a very saucy sleeve. Compared to that, this single sleeve is very modest. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8310
Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, 1 June 2026
Tracks: 'Save me' / 'Save me again'

Manhattan - G'Race

Back in 2010 I bought the single 'Manhattan' by G'Race. It's the kind of hit single that sticks in your ear once you've heard it a few times, and I always felt slightly iffy about it. But then I came across this 12" single for a euro and I thought I might as well check it out - especially since those extended versions from the Eighties are always very interesting. A remix like this is unlikely to pop up on any compilation like the Now 12"-compilations that have been released recently. 

Just as I thought, this extended version is actually more interesting than the single version. Nothing beats the drumbreak in this version.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, 1 June 2026
Tracks: 'Manhattan [extended]' / 'Manhattan part II'

Loving you - Feargal Sharkey

The unique voice of Feargal Sharkey became a bit of a fixture in the mid-Eighties when he celebrated his biggest successes with 'You little thief' and 'A good heart'. This was before his first two solo singles weren't very successful outside of the UK.

'Loving you' was his second single and it was quite surprising to find a 12" single of this song. I don't think I've ever come across it before. On the label the playing time appeared, fortunately, so that I could conclude that this was most probably an extended version (there was no indication of that on the sleeve or label). It's a very nice extended version, actually!

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, 1 June 2026
Tracks: 'Loving you [extended]' / 'Is this an explanation?'

The wounds of fate - Ray Manzarek

Ray Manzarek became famous as one quarter of the famous band The Doors, playing those keyboards like a madman. After lead singer Jim Morrison died, he soldiered on with the two other members of the band, until they faced ever decreasing success.

A musician never stops, of course, and so Ray started making music on his own. He released two albums in 1974, and then went on to create the album Carmina Burana, which was released in 1983. It was based on the famous classical work, but with a modern twist. From that album this single was released. It's an interesting piece of work!

My collection: 7" single no. 8308
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, 1 June 2026
Tracks: 'The wounds of fate (Fortune Plango)' / 'The roasted swan (Olim Lacus)' 

El Salvador - Athlete

I keep adding random Athlete singles to my collection and since I have the later repertoire pretty much complete, it's the early stuff that I'm after. 'El Salvador' was their fourth single, and the third one to be taken from the debut album Vehicles & Animals. Although 'You got the style' was the first to break into the UK Top 40, 'El Salvador' became their biggest success at that point, peaking at number 31. 

The real surprise on this single is its B-side. 'Moving out' is an epic track with an instrumental ending that intrigues. I was quite impressed by this track and it was an early indication that this band was going to create some glorious music.

My collection: 7" single no. 8307
Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, 1 July 2026
Tracks: 'El Salvador' / 'Moving out' 

Vivo cantando / El trovador - Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos

Three years ago I found this colourful single by Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos, with a cover version of 'La, la, la'. A year later, the group was at it again, with not one, but two cover versions of Eurovision songs: 'Vivo cantando' (the Spanish entry) and 'El trovador' (the Dutch entry!). 

I was actually aware that the group  had covered 'De troubadour', so I was very happy to find a copy of this single!

My collection: 7" single no. 8306
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 May 2026
Tracks: 'Vivo cantando' / 'El trovador'