Closest thing to heaven - Kane Gang

The Kane Gang recorded and released 'Closest thing to heaven' in 1984. I never heard a song any better than this from them, although initially I only knew the single version. This 12" version is slightly longer and adds a little extra to what's already quite a perfect song.

What a difference, though, with the B-side: two throwaway tracks that you are better off not listening to.

My collection: 12" single no. 247
Found: unknown
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Closest thing to heaven (Full version)' / 'Mighty day', 'Bride of smalltown mudwrestles with Abbott & Costello in outer space (3D Mad Mix II creed)'

Closest thing to heaven - The Kane Gang

In 1984, the Kane Gang released 'Closest thing to heaven', arguably the most beautiful song of their career. It was certainly their most successful: it reached number 12 in the UK singles chart during an 11 week chart run.

In the Netherlands, the single didn't reach the Dutch Top 40. I waited two years and then bought the single for almost nothing.

My collection: 7" single no. 493
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Closest thing to heaven' / 'Mighty day'

Respect yourself - The Kane Gang

Martin Brammer, Paul Woods and Dave Brewis met in 1982 and formed the trio The Kane Gang, naming themselves after the movie 'Citizen Kane'. They signed a record deal in 1983 and released their debut album 'Bad and lowdown world of the Kane Gang' in 1984.

The single 'Respect yourself', taken from that album, is a cover of The Staples Singers song. The song was written in 1970 by Luther Ingram, a Stax Records singer, and Mack Rice, a Stax house songwriter. Ingram, who was frustrated with the state of the world at the time, told Rice 'black folk need to learn to respect themselves.'

My collection: 7" single no. 2137
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, August 2, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Respect yourself' / 'Amusement park'