The title track of Flash and the Pan's 1985 album 'Early morning wake up call' was released as a single. It wasn't a commercial success, but it is quite a catchy track in the style of this Australian band.
When I started collecting All about Eve records in the late Eighties, I quickly became aware that they'd released some independent 12" singles at the beginning of their career. The 12" of 'D for desire' never came within my grasp for a reasonable price, and neither did 'In the clouds', their second release from 1985.
There are no credits for the 'Mastermix' of Level 42's 'Hot water', but it is an impressive mix, clocking in at 10 minutes, no less. This 12" snigle also contains an extended version of the B-side, 'Standing in the light'.
Five Star took no less than six hit singles from their album 'Silk and steel', but one had to admit that they weren't exactly lazy about it. 'The slightest touch', the last single to be taken from the album, was remixed by Shep Pettibone and the 12" single contained three remixes of the track made by him.
Red Box had their first hit single in 1985 with 'Lean on me'. It took me some time to realise that this was actually a good song, but when I did, I decided I wanted to have the 12" single as well. By that time, it was pretty hard to get, and so I had to resort to mail order in order to get it.
I bought the 7" single of Alison Moyet's 'Love letters' in 1989 because I liked the song. Then I discovered the B-side 'This house', which made me buy the cd-single as I had to have it in pristine quality. And then I discovered that the 12" single actually had an extended version of 'Love letters' which didn't appear on the cd-single...
In 1991, Polydor Records released 'Two Rooms: Celebrating the songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin'. The title refers to the song on Elton John's album '21 at 33', 'Two rooms at the end of the world', to the duo's unusual collaborative style, and is also the title of a 1991 movie documenting their collaboration.
'When we were young' was a change in direction for Bucks Fizz. The production was heavy and the song had an ominous tone, far removed from the group's usual pop sound. It was the first and only single to feature lead vocals by Jay Aston. Aston's vocals were notably different from her solo appearances on previous Bucks Fizz songs Aston herself has said that she was adopting an effected voice, similar to Hazel O'Connor. She has since stated, despite the song's success, her vocal affectation wasn't a good idea, although has rated it her favourite Bucks Fizz song, while member Cheryl Baker has commented that she never liked the song due to its downbeat tone.
I bought the 7" single of 'Strut' for almost nothing in 1993, so it's only fair that I would find the 12" single for a tiny amount as well. I'm glad to say I did.
Although this is a 12" single, it doesn't really contain a track especially made for it: both 'Questionnaire' and 'Boy' appear in their respective album versions. But because 'Questionnaire' was edited for the 7" single, this still is an attractive disc.
When I listen to this single, I can't help but notice the dodgy sound effects and the very thin voice of Thereza Bazar. Dollar were just starting out in 1979, when 'Love's gotta hold on me' was released. The duo had had two minor hits in the UK, but hit the big time - amazingly - with this one: it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart.
The Flirts were a female trio from New York City who had several dance hits in the early Eighties. The group was created and masterminded by American Hi-NRG producer, Bobby Orlando aka 'Bobby O'. The trio - initially Andrea, Holly and Rebecca - are best known for their sensual tracks.
Marjon Keller, Mandy Huydts en de the sisters Karin and Laura Vlasblom were selected for the children's choir Kinderen Voor Kinderen in the early Eighties. After recording an album and some TV specials with the choir, they decide to continue as a group. They are coached by Mandy's father Jan Huydts.
'Outside of this (Inside of that)' was a single taken from Jon & Vangelis' 1981 album 'The friends of mr. Cairo'. The track was edited from 5 minutes to 4 minutes and 10 seconds for the single.
Belgian singer Jo Lemaire released 'C'est mon bateau' ('It's my boat') in 1990. The accompanying music video was recorded in black and white.
Having bought a lot of Time Bandits singles lately, I was in doubt whether I would take home this one as I was sure I could find it cheaper someday. But in the end, I did and I'm glad I did: this is possibly one of the band's best tracks. 'Dancing on a string' has a great melody and is quite catchy too.
Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, who produced the album 'We are family' for Sister Sledge originally formulated all its songs with the group in mind envisioning the title cut as the lead single. When the record company wanted a more overtly disco song Edwards and Rodgers gave Sister Sledge 'He's the greatest dancer', originally intended for their own band Chic.
Since I started listening to Kim Wilde's radio show 'Secret Songs' on Magic FM, I've rediscovered many tracks from the past. One of them is Odyssey's 'Use it up and wear it out', a song I thought was quite ridiculous when it was in the chart in 1980, because of the whistle.
Cameo were very popular in the mid-Eighties after they had a worldwide hit with 'Word up!', the title track of their 1986 album. Subsequent singles 'Candy' and 'Back and forth' were not as successful, but were still hits in some territories.
Amii Stewart's career was slowly grinding to a halt when this remix double A side was released in 1985. Her biggest hits 'Knock on wood' and 'Light my fire' were remixed by Barry Leng and Alan Coulthard.
