A walk in the park - Nick Straker

In 1987, the producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman were everywhere. Their hits with Mel & Kim, Rick Astley, Samantha Fox and Kylie Minogue were high in the charts all over Europe. They were also involved with some lesser known tracks, songs that didn't quite make it. 

One example of this is this single: a 1987 remix of Nick Straker's 'A walk in the park'. This version bears all the characteristics of an Eighties hit, but it didn't manage to convince the record buying public at the time.

My collection: 7" single no. 6716
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 7 May 2022
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'A walk in the park (1987 production)' / 'Way of life (1987 production)'

Straight ahead - Nick Straker Band

'Straight ahead' was released as a single from the Nick Straker Band in 1982. It was completely unsuccessful, and I can honestly say I never heard this track anywhere. Buying this was a complete gamble. But it paid off: this is a very danceable and melodic track, vaguely reminiscent of earlier material, but also very different.

The track was remixed by François Kevorkian, the French DJ and remixer who is most famous for his work with Kraftwerk, Eurythmics and U2. He also mixed Depeche Mode's biggest-selling album 'Violator' as well as many of their 12" club remixes.

My collection: 7" single no. 3781

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Straight ahead' / 'Straight ahead (instrumental reprise)'

Leaving on the midnight train - Nick Straker Band

'Leaving on the midnight train' was the third single by the Nick Straker Band. After the debut single 'A walk in the park' had been a good success, their second single 'Don't come back' flopped everywhere.

At least, this single charted again, although it only reached number 61 in the UK singles chart. The influence of the New Musik sound is particularly noticeable on the B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3780

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Leaving on the midnight train' / 'Play the fool'

A walk in the park - Nick Straker Band

The Nick Straker Band formed in the late Seventies. Its members were Nick Straker, Tony Mansfield, David McShera, Pete Hammond and Phil Towner. In 1979 they released 'A walk in the park', a rather innovative disco song. It did not reach the Dutch Top 40, but it did peak at number 20 in the UK singles chart.

Tony Mansfield and Nick Straker were also members of New Musik, but while Straker didn't return to his old group, Mansfield did. Both the Nick Straker Band and New Musik did not meet a lot of commercial success after 'A walk in the park'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2147

Found: August 25, 1994

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'A walk in the park' / 'Something in the music'