Make love whenever you can - Arabesque

The German trio Arabesque was very successful in the far east, and this Japanese single just underlines that fact. Their advice for the Japanese record buyers was a sound one: 'Make love whenever you can'. This song was taken from the trio's fourth album, but only released as a single in Japan.

I bought this single from a seller who had many Japanese singles on offer for the measly sum of 2 euros (Usually these great singles fetch a minimum sum of two digits). There were quite a few Arabesque singles on offer, but I decided against buying them all. I still am unsure whether I regret that - most of Arabesque's songs are quite forgettable after all.

My collection: 7" single no. 6197
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 17, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Make love whenever you can' / 'I don't wanna have breakfast with you'

Tall story teller - Arabesque

Sometimes I buy a single because the sleeve is different. It's always interesting to compare. In the case of Arabesque's 'Tall story teller', I already had the German version, but this here is the Dutch version. The record company took a chance, because Arabesque never had a hit in the Netherlands, and this single didn't change much of that.

My collection: 7" single no. 4946
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tall story teller' / 'Caballero'

Tall story teller - Arabesque

Most of the songs by the German disco trio Arabesque follow a certain formula, which is defined by unified vocals and a firm disco beat. And 'Tall story teller' is no exception.

Released in the autumn of 1982, the single featured the track 'Caballero' on the B-side, which was released as a single in Japan only. In Japan, Arabesque were quite famous; even in the late Nineties their whole repertoire was released on cd in that country.

My collection: 7" single no. 4896
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received May 28, 2010
Cost: 1,4 euro
Tracks: 'Tall story teller' / 'Caballero'

Time to say goodbye - Arabesque

Although Arabesque broke up in 1984 when Sandra wanted to pursue a solo career, Jasmin and Michaela continued as Rouge, soldiering on for the remainder of the Eighties.

Meanwhile, the song 'Time to say goodbye' was released as a single and a 12" single by Arabeque in 1985. It was not a commercial success, but fans of the group may have been very happy to get this 'posthumous' release.

My collection: 12" single no. 331
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Time to say goodbye (extended)' / 'Time to say goodbye', 'Stop crying for the moon'

Arabesque - Friday night

'Friday night' is the second single taken from Arabesque's debut album of the same name. This line-up did not feature Sandra Cretu yet; she joined the group a year later, in 1979. 'Friday night' is a pretty standard Seventies disco tune, charming in all its pretention-free simplicity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3662

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Friday night' / 'Someone is waiting for you'

Take me don't break me - Arabesque

Arabesque was a German disco music group, founded in 1977. The trio consisted of Sandra Cretu, Jasmin Vetter and Michaela Rose. In 1984, Cretu would leave the group to pursue a solo career as Sandra, produced by Michael Cretu. This single is their fifth release, 'Take me don't break me' (1980). It barely made the German top 40 at the time.

I bought this single because I became interested in Sandra's pre-solo activities. I supposed she always made lightweight pop. This single delivers as promised.

My collection: 7" single no. 3664

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Take me don't break me' / 'Parties in a penthouse'