Fly up to the moon - Black and Sam Brown

In 1991, Black recorded a duet with another A&M Records artist, Sam Brown. The track 'Fly up to the moon' was included on Black's 1991 self-titled album and was released as the third and last single from the album. The lyric includes a quote from the T.S. Eliot poem 'The hollow men': 'This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper'. Except Sam Brown actually sings '...but with a whimpy'.

The single also included two bonus tracks on the B-side. 'You lift me up' was re-recorded years later by Colin Vearncombe on his 2000 album 'Water on snow'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1694
Found: London, 1991
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Fly up to the moon' / 'You lift me up', What you are'

Spirit of the forest - Spirit of the forest

After Band Aid, Dance Aid, Ferry Aid and USA for Africa, the Gentlemen without weapons figured they had something to add to the growing amount of charity singles: a rainforest appeal. Together with the animal and rainforest noises which they'd already used for an album, they rounded up lots of famous artists to record 'Spirit of the forest'.

Somehow, the idea didn't quite work. The song sounded a bit naff and people were apparently not so concerned about the destruction of the rain forest as they were about starving children in Africa. The single was a commercial failure, but fans of Afrika Bambaataa, Jon Anderson, B52's, Michael de Barre, Big Country and the few dozen other artists mentioned on the sleeve of this single had another collector's item to get their hands on.

My collection: 7" single no. 900
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 23, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Spirit of the forest' / 'Spirit of the forest'

Together again - Jools Holland and Sam Brown

'Together again' was written by the American country singer Buck Owens. It was released on his 1964 album of the same name and also appeared on the B-side of his hit single 'My heart skips a beat'.

Jools Holland and Sam Brown recorded their version of the song in 1991 for a single release to benefit the Hysteria trust. Hysteria raises and distributes money for UK AIDS charities. They didn't raise a lot of money: the single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2223
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Together again' / 'Honey dripper (live at Hysteria 3)'

As one - Sam Brown

'As one' was the final single taken from Sam Brown's 1989 album 'April moon'. As far as I know, there was no cd-single release, only a 12" single and a 7" single - which in 1990 was quite unusual.

The choice of this track for a single was quite unusual too, as it was not particularly a standout track on the album. Furthermore, the single was barely promoted, and so it sank without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 1316
Found: London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'As one' / 'Think about your troubles'

Mindworks - Sam Brown

'Mindworks' was released as the fourth single from Sam Brown's 1990 album 'April moon'. In the UK, a strictly limited edition featured a pop-up gatefold sleeve, with part of the lyric of the song and Sam Brown's head popping out.

Still, the single did not chart in any territory. Remarkably, the record company did not give up after this and released one more single from the album: 'As one'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1309
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Mindworks' / 'No man is an island'

Once in your life - Sam Brown

'Once in your life' was the fourth single taken from Sam Brown's 1990 album 'April moon'. It was released in Europe only, as far as I know. Despite a colourful music video and an equally colourful sleeve, the single was not successful in the charts.

The B-side, 'So far so good' was a mainly instrumental track, and one of many bonus tracks included on Sam Brown's cd-singles circa 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1256
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 5, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Once in your life' / 'So far so good'

Kissing gate - Sam Brown

Sam Brown's second album 'April moon' spawned five singles, of which 'Kissing gate' was the second. It was the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number 23 in the UK singles chart and also reaching number 45 in Canada.

The single was released in a limited edition pop-up sleeve. The popup revealed an image of Sam Brown with the lyric of 'Kissing gate' behind her. The quirky B-side 'Is it mustard or mango?' is a nice treat as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 1258
Found: Tower Records, London, July 5, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Kissing gate' / 'Is it mustard or mango?'

With a little love - Sam Brown

In 1990, Sam Brown released her second album 'April moon'. The album was introduced with the single 'With a little love', a nice pop song that achieved some chart success in the UK (number 23), Germany (number 52) and Australia (number 89).

The single was released in a limited edition box set, featuring a badge and four postcards. When I saw this box set in my favourite record shop at the time, I immediately claimed it. They didn't know the price yet, so I had to come back a week later to have it. It was a long week...

My collection: 7" single no. 1177
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 17, 1990
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'With a little love' / 'Window people'

Can I get a witness - Sam Brown

Released as the fourth and last single from Sam Brown's debut album 'Stop', 'Can I get a witness' was a cover version of Marvin Gaye's 1963 hit song written by Holland, Dozier, Holland. Other cover versions were recorded previously by Dusty Springfield, the Rolling Stones and Steampacket (with Rod Stewart).

Sam Brown's version was a hit in the UK only, peaking at number 15. The single was available in a limited edition poster sleeve, which of course I own.

My collection: 7" single no. 839
Found: unknown, 1989
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Can I get a witness' / 'Walking after midnight'

This feeling - Sam Brown

'This feeling' was the third single taken from Sam Brown's debut album 'Stop!'. The track features a beautiful guitar solo by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. 'This feeling' was remixed for the single, which in fact didn't really make it much better, but it was shorter and that was probably the most important thing for the record company.

It didn't help matters much: the single stalled at number 91 in the UK singles chart, although it did manage to reach number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 691
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 1, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'This feeling' / 'Soldiers'

Stop! - Sam Brown

Sam Brown wrote 'Stop!' together with Gregg Sutton and Bruce Brody during a trip to Los Angeles. Sam commented: 'I was driving on the Pacific Coast Highway heading south and the idea for 'Stop!' came into my head. I kept it there until I got back to my hotel room where I probably jotted down some thoughts. I didn't really realise that it was a blues song - I'd had no blues experience then.' She met Sutton and Brody in Brody's hotel room as he was preparing for a live concert with his group Lone Justice. They put the song together in half an hour.

In 1988 when 'Stop!' was becoming a hit country by country across Europe, Gregg went to Amsterdam with Sam and her crew to celebrate it going to the top of the chart in Holland. 'It was considered to be like Cleveland, a test market for Europe.' explains Gregg. 'The music biz insiders said if a record did well there it would do well everywhere in Europe.' They were right: the single became a top 10 hit all over Europe and reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single is a limited edition poster sleeve from the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2290
Found: Record fair, May 6, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop!' / 'Blue soldier'

Walking back to me - Sam Brown

Sam Brown is the daughter of Sixties rocker Joe Brown and top session singer Vicki Brown. She was born on October 7, 1964 in Stratford, London, England. She began her musical career at twelve, singing backing vocals on the Small Faces album '78 in the shade' (1978). She continued doing backing vocals with Sade, Spandau Ballet and Barclay James Harvest.

In 1986, she signed a recording contract with A&M Records. Her debut single 'Walking back to me' was released in 1988. It did not chart in England, but it did reach number 65 in Germany. Little did she know that her second single would become the biggest hit of her career...

My collection: 7" single no. 1885
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 24, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking back to me' / 'Tender hearts'

As one - Sam Brown

This 12" single represents a discographical mystery within my collection. Sam Brown released several singles from her second album 'April moon', all of which appeared on cd-single. Yet, I've never seen a cd-single for 'As one', just this 12" single with three exquisite B-side tracks. So was there never a cd-single? If you know, let me know.

'As one' was the last single drawn from 'April moon', and was not rewarded with a chart placing. It effectively ended Sam Brown's recording contract with A&M, because when she presented '43 minutes' a good two years later, the company did not want to release it, for fear of its lack of commercial appeal. Fortunately, the album still came out after the contract was ended after some legal wranglings. For '43 minutes' represents Sam's finest work.

My collection: 12" single no. 185

Found: Record Exchange, London, 1993

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'As one', 'Tune with no name (part 2)' / 'Think about your troubles', 'Smile'