Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

Although most people are familiar with the unattractive 'Hip hop mix' of Climie Fisher's 'Rise to the occasion', originally it was actually a very nice song. One should consider that remix as a misguided attempt to attract a new audience for the pop duo, as if regular pop audiences aren't worthwhile.

This 12" single features an extended remix of the original version, still free from the random mumblings of someone hailing from one 'hood' or another.

My collection: 12" single no. 370
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion (extended mix)' / 'Rise to the occasion', 'Mental block'

Never let me down - David Bowie

'Never let me down' was released as the third single from David Bowie's album of the same name in the summer of 1987. The song is about Bowie's long-time personal assistant, Coco Schwab. Bowie described their relationship, saying 'It's platonic. But there is a romance in it, I guess, inasmuch as it's hard for two people to feel totally at ease in each other's company for that period of time and not expect too much from each other. Always being prepared to be there if the other one needs someone, you know? There's not many people you find in life that you can do that with, or feel that way with.'

This 12" single features an extended remix of the track, as well as a dub and acapella version.

My collection: 12" single no. 352
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down (extended dance remix)' / ''87 and cry', 'Never let me down (dub)', 'Never let me down (acapella)'

Genetic engineering - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

This 12" single features the so-called '312 mm version' of 'Genetic engineering', a single released by the band as the first single from their fourth album 'Dazzle ships'. The single was a commercial disappointment for the band, as it peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart, thus ending a run of four consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK.

This remix clocks in at 5'18 minutes and as such adds 90 seconds to the original version of the song. It mostly consists of added instrumental passages.

My collection: 12" single no. 287
Found: Record exchange, London, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Genetic engineering (312 mm version)' / '4 Neu'

Our lips are sealed - The Visitor featuring Roxanne Wilde

Although Kim Wilde's younger sister Roxanne Wilde has an equally captivating voice and stage presence, she never quite manage to lift her career off the ground in the way her older sister did. Along the way, she did record several interesting records. First with her own band Dimestars, and later with some dance producers.

Her hit with Darren Tate, 'Destination' became a chart hit in May 2003 and soon after that she recorded 'Our lips are sealed' with The Visitor, a.k.a. Jon Pleased. This 12" single features two versions of the track as well as a rather interesting instrumental dance track. Roxanne later became a backing vocalist for Kylie Minogue, so she did alright for herself anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 440
Found: HMV, London, December 2003
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Our lips are sealed', 'Our lips are sealed dub' / 'A month of Sundays'

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

In the summer of 1985, Alison Moyet released her fourth solo single, 'That ole devil called love', a cover of a song originally performed by Billie Holiday. The song didn't appear on her debut album 'Alf', and so it was a nice extra for her fans.

This 12" single features a jazz version of the song as well as an extended remix of the B-side 'Don't burn down the bridge', which was also a non-album track.

My collection: 12" single no. 353
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'That ole devil called love', 'That ole devil called love (Jazz version)' / 'Don't burn down the bridge (extended version)'

Take on me - A-ha

A-ha did their farewell tour last year, causing some grief among their fans, who are coming together this weekend for a fan reunion. Personally I think it's a matter of time before the three Norwegians reunite for another tour and/or album. It may take some years, but in the mean time, there's loads of old records to enjoy.

Such as this one, the original 12" single of 'Take on me', released in 1984 - a year before the single was re-released for the third time and finally became a hit. It's 'Take on me', but not as you know it. I've always liked this version a little better, also because of the exclusive track 'Stop! and make your mind up' which was never released since.

My collection: 12" single no. 19
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (long version)' / 'And you tell me', 'Stop! and make your mind up'

Private dancer - Tina Turner

Although I was never much of a fan of Tina Turner's vocals, I have to admit that her voice was quite suitable for 'Private dancer'. She sounds old and disillusioned enough to carry the lyric of the song, and the fact that she doesn't exactly have a pretty or smooth voice really is a plus here.

This 12" single features the full length version of the song, plus two live tracks of old Ike & Tina Turner chestnuts, recorded live in Chicago on August 2, 1984.

My collection: 12" single no. 134
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1992
Cost: 0,5 pound
Tracks: 'Private dancer (Full length version)' / 'River deep mountain high (live)', 'Nutbush city limits (live)'

Our summer - All about Eve

Collectors items can be very frustrating to a collector, as sometimes you think you may never get hold of them. When I became interested in the band All about Eve, I quickly became aware of their early 'indie' releases. 'Our summer' was released in 1987 as the band's third indie release on 12", and it was one of those frustrating items for me for years.

I finally found a copy during a visit to one of those record exchanges in London, and the price had dropped to an almost acceptable level. I'm still very happy to have found this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 175
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 9 pounds
Tracks: 'Our summer (extended mix)' / 'Lady moonlight', 'Shelter from the rain'

We close our eyes - Go West

Go West's debut single was 'We close our eyes', a great rhythmic track that lends itself well to an extended remix. This 12" single does not disappoint: this six minute remix of the track delivers well in every aspect. The remix was later included on the 1985 compilation album 'Bangs & Crashes'.

Thanks to those wonderful Here & Now Tours at the beginning of this century I've had the pleasure of seeing Richard Drummie and Peter Cox live a couple of times. Thankfully they were still as powerful as two decades earlier.

My collection: 12" single no. 28
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'We close our eyes (Total overhang club mix)' / 'We close our eyes', 'Missing persons'

Hey little girl - Icehouse

The UK single of 'Hey little girl' was already in my possession when I found this 12" single. I wasn't too surprised, then, by the sleeve which was different from the European one. I was, however, quite surprised by the track listing of this disc, as it featured an extended remix of the title track and a remix of the earlier hit single 'Can't help myself'. A good deal, I felt, since I like both tracks.

The design and painting of the sleeve was done by David Storey, who also did artwork for artists as diverse as Blondie, Elton John and The Specials.

My collection: 12" single no. 280
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hey little girl (Australian Disco Mix)' / 'Hey little girl (single mix)', 'Can't help myself (Disco club mix)'

Atomic - Blondie

Blondie released 'Atomic' in February 1980 and as such it was their first single of the Eighties. The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 39 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This 12" single contains a live version of David Bowie's 'Heroes' featuring Robert Fripp on guitar, recorded at London's Hammersmith Odeon on January 11, 1980. The track was later included on 1993's rarities compilation 'Blonde and Beyond'.

My collection: 12" single no. 394
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Atomic' / 'Die young stay pretty' / 'Heroes (live)'

So excited - Janet Jackson

'So excited' was taken from Janet Jackson's ninth album '20 Y.O.' and features a sample of Herbie Hancock's 1984 hit single 'Rockit'. That is a very good addition, however the addition of the inarticulate ramblings of a rapper named Khia is a less fortunate choice.

Although 'So excited' was remixed by Junior Vasquez, Bimbo Jones and Eddie Baez, this 12" single features four slightly predictable versions of the song: an album version, a radio edit, an instrumental version and an acapella version, all drawn from the regular album mix. The radio edit is laughable because of its random removal of certain 'shocking' words. You can't listen to - lyric - certain words - blocked. And what's so shocking about the word 'inside' anyway?

My collection: 12" single no. 601
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'So excited (album version)', 'So exicted (radio edit)' / 'So excited (instrumental)', 'So excited (a cappella)'

Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

Kate Bush released 'Cloudbusting' in October 1985 as the second single from her fifth album 'Hounds of love'. The 12" single featured two B-side tracks and an extended remix of the title track, entitled the 'Organon Remix'.

In 'Burning Bridge', a woman desperately pleads with her lover to step up his level of commitment to her. 'My Lagan Love' is a traditional Irish melody with lyrics by John Carder Bush, Kate Bush's brother.

My collection: 12" single no. 15
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Cloudbusting (The Organon Remix)' / 'Burning bridge', 'My lagan love'

Stop for a minute - Sandra

'Stop for a minute' was released after Sandra's first two albums as a new track on her first compilation album 'Ten on one'. It was a surprisingly strong track, it sounds a lot less dodgy than a lot of her early work.

This 12" single features an interesting extended version of the track, as well as the A- and B-side of the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 223
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop for a minute (extended version)' / 'Two lovers tonight', 'Stop for a minute'

Tinseltown in the rain - The Blue Nile

The Blue Nile's 'A walk across the rooftops' was one of the most remarkable albums of 1984, featuring seven beautifully crafted tracks. It featured two singles: 'Stay' and 'Tinseltown in the rain'. The album version of the latter track appears on this 12" singles, as well as an instrumental version of another album track, 'Heatwave'.

This 12" single is however most notable for the otherwise unreleased track 'Regret'. 'One of the saddest songs I know', I wrote on a mailing list a decade ago and I still stand by those words. The track was later included on a rare compilation cd which I never found, but fortunately there's an mp3 floating around which I've included here for your listening pleasure. After all, sometimes the crackles and pops of vinyl tend to distract the listener a bit.

My collection: 12" single no. 143
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tinseltown in the rain' / 'Heatwave (instrumental)', 'Regret'

Escapade - Janet Jackson

Although I have two cd-singles of Janet Jackson's 'Escapade', each featuring three remixes of the track, I was surprised to find that four remixes on this 12" single don't appear on them. And I'm not even counting the LP version which also appears on this 12".

Wikipedia lists 15 different remixes of 'Escapade', but since only two remix teams were involved one could assume that these versions are all a bit 'samey'. The remixes on this 12" single were all made by Shep Pettibone, whereas a lot of other remixes were made by producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It's always amusing to hear different remixes of one track, but it can get a little too much sometimes.

My collection: 12" single no. 609
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Escapade (Shep's Good Time mix)', 'Escapade (The Get away dub)', 'Escapade (LP version)' / 'Escapade (Shep's Housecapade mix)', 'Escapade (Housecapade dub)', 'Escapade (I can't take no more dub)'

Eaten alive - Diana Ross

It's a strange combination, the Bee Gees and Michael Jackson, but they both appear on this track, and it's a track by Diana Ross! Originally produced and written by Barry and Maurice Gibb, it was not until Michael Jackson heard the demo of it that he suggested the chorus could be improved. He worked with the Gibb brothers on the track and contributed his vocals to the chorus as well.

On this 12" single you can hear three versions of the track. In the instrumental version in particular you can hear the vocals by Jackson and the Gibb brothers very well.

My collection: 12" single no. 608
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Eaten alive (extended remix)' / 'Eaten alive (edited remix)', 'Eaten alive (instrumental)'

If you think you know how to love me - Smokie

As a listener of Kim Wilde's weekly radio show 'Secret Songs' (on Magic 104.5 FM in the UK), I always listen to her own special choice of the week with some extra attention. Loads of choices are from the Seventies, an era that I like but I don't know very much about.

In March this year she chose the song 'If you think you know how to love me' by Smokie. It's a beautiful song, and a bit more tasteful than the stuff they did towards the end of the Seventies. The song was taken from their second album 'Changing all the time' and was their first hit, reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart in August 1975.

My collection: 7" single no. 5266
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'If you think you know how to love me' / ''Tis me'

Ring Ring - Björn + Benny + Anna + Frieda

'Ring Ring' was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Their manager Stig Anderson wrote the lyrics with the intention of making a 'poppy' song and to make it more accessible to a universal audience, Anderson asked American songwriter Neil Sedaka to pen the lyrics for an English version, together with his songwriting partner, Phil Cody. Recorded in January, the song was submitted to the Swedish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest - and it finished third.

Nevertheless, the song fared much better in the Swedish charts, both in its Swedish and English language incarnations, where it hit number one and number two respectively. Björn + Benny + Anna + Frieda had an international hit on their hands and decided to re-enter for Eurovision the next year - and the rest is history. I never managed to buy this legendary single, but finally picked up a copy last weekend.

My collection: 7" single no. 5265
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ring ring' / 'Rock 'n' roll band'

Abergavenny - Marty Wilde

Marty Wilde's 'Abergavenny' is one of those songs that never fails to get me in a good mood. I love its kitsch appeal and the pure craftmanship of the songwriter. Marty entered the 1968 Knokke festival in Belgium with this song. This single is a Belgian pressing of 'Abergavenny', released on the occasion of that festival. Subsequently Marty had a European hit. Meanwhile, 'Abergavenny' was criminally overlooked in the UK.

A similar fate befell the album 'Diversions', also released in 1968. It features 14 tracks that are equally fascinating, including the melancholy B-side 'Alice in blue' and the songs 'Ice in the sun' and 'Jesamine', hits for Status Quo and the Casuals respectively. So when is this album finally released on cd? One can only hope.

My collection: 7" single no. 5263
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Abergavenny' / 'Alice in blue'