Ocean blue - ABC

I have to admit that I missed the release of 'Ocean blue' when it happened and only found out about it some time after the fact. I bought the single via mailorder, and the 12" single just appeared out of nowhere in a shop some time after that.

ABC's album 'How to be a zillionaire' was not one of their most successful ones, even though the first single 'Be near me' broke the US market. The Ecstacy mix of that track on this 12" single is a bit tedious, though. The two versions of 'Ocean blue' are worthy of a spin or two; they're beautifully arranged tracks.

My collection: 12" single no. 117

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1991

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Ocean blue (Atlantic mix)', 'Tower of London' / 'Be near me (Ecstacy mix)', 'Ocean blue (Pacific mix)'

Download: here

How to be a millionaire - ABC

After the glitzy kitschpop of 'Lexicon of love' and the harder edged rock of 'Beauty stab', ABC reinvented themselves as cartoon characters and released 1984's 'How to be a millionaire'. The accompanying video was a Hanna-Barbera style motion cartoon, presenting Martin Fry and Mark White in their new cartoon guise, plus the two new band members Fiona (a busty brunette) and David (a short bald guy).

It wasn't a big success chart-wise: it only reached no. 49 in the UK, and it didn't even chart in the Netherlands. It would take a while for them to have big hits again...

My collection: 7" single no. 1604

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, March 28, 1992

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'How to be a millionaire' / 'How to be a billionaire'

Download: here