Sacramento - Middle of the Road

Sally Carr, Ken Andrew, Ian McCredie and Eric McCredie formed Middle of the Road on 1 April 1970 in Glasgow, Scotland. They had already played together under the name 'Part Three' since 1967 and later in Latin American style under the name Los Caracas. They moved to Italy later in 1970, because they hadn't found success in the UK. There they met producer Giacomo Tosti, who developed the sound that would make them famous.

'Sacramento' was Middle of the Road's fourth hit single, reaching number one in Germany, Switzerland, Norway and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3473

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Sacramento' / 'Love sweet love'

Download: here

Slave to the rhythm - Grace Jones

'Slave to the rhythm' was originally intended to be the second single of Frankie goes to Hollywood, as a follow-up to their number one hit 'Relax'. The song was assembled and produced by Trevor Horn after he worked on 'Two tribes', but the project was finally given to Grace Jones. The song did not reach number one but is still a favourite among fans of Grace Jones and Trevor Horn. The single version of 'Slave to the rhythm' is a version of the album track 'Ladies and Gentlemen: Miss Grace Jones', the closing song of the album. The B-side 'G.I. Blues' on this single is alternatively known as 'Annihilated Rhythm'. The single was re-released in 1994 and there were several different 12" singles and remixes available of that release.

I bought my copy of this single in fact today, as part of a collection of 18 singles in a second hand shop in my hometown. Sometimes all a man needs is a good stack of vinyl to perk up his mood.

My collection: 7" single no. 3485

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Slave to the rhythm' / 'GI Blues'

Download: here

(What) In the name of love - Naked Eyes

Watching music television daily can provide you with lots of new impressions. I learned a lot about the music scene in 1983 and 1984. When I saw this clip, I knew Naked Eyes was a group to watch. Two decades later, I own a compilation cd and several 7" and 12" singles by this duo.

'(What) In the name of love' appeared on the B-side of the 12" single of 'Promises, Promises', but got released as a single a year later. The new version was produced by Arthur Baker. The 12" single I own was made in America, meaning that they were actually attracting some attention over there as well. Not bad for an English duo.

My collection: 12" single no. 357

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 2002

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: '(What) In the name of love (extended version)' / '(What) In the name of love (instrumental version)', '(What) In the name of love (single version)'

Download: here

Last thing on my mind - Bananarama

'Last thing on my mind' was a big hit for Steps in 1998. I did like the song but the track sounded a bit too bland for my liking. I didn't think that the guys and girls of Steps could sing, and that put the track down a bit. So I was pretty glad when I found out that it was a cover of a Bananarama track.

Bananarama have of course been around for ages. They started out with Fun Boy Three on 'It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it' and had another series of hits only a couple of years ago with their comeback album 'Drama' (2005). Their version of 'Last thing on my mind' is a pop gem.

My collection: 7" single no. 3011

Found: Record fair, Netherlands, August 20, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Last thing on my mind' / 'Another lover'

Download: Album 'Please yourself', including both tracks

Bana bana - Pan

The Turkish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1989 was legendary. The group Pan sang 'Bana Bana', a traditionally arranged popsong. The conductor directed the orchestra with acrobatic gestures, while the group sang a very excited chorus that was unintelligible for those not speaking the Turkish language.

Unfortunately, the song was not available on single. For a long time I thought I wasn't ever released on vinyl. There was a compilation cd of that year's contestants, and it contained a recording of the song. I was satisfied with that. And then the unthinkable happened: more than a decade later, I suddenly found this single. It contains two remixes of the song. It was a real find. I took the tattered sleeve for granted.

My collection: 7" single no. 3151

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 19, 1999

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Bana bana (After midnight mix)' / 'Bana bana (Before midnight mix)'

Download: here

After a fashion - Mick Karn & Midge Ure

Obviously, my parents weren't thrilled that I spent most of my time at home watching music TV stations like Music Box and Sky Channel, while I should actually be making homework. But it was obvious that I was never going to do that while there was so much going on in music at that time. While I was hoping for my favourite clips to show up, I learned a lot about the UK music scene. I would run into videos like this and then find out that the songs were actually very interesting. I often couldn't get the singles in the Netherlands, and so I just kept them on my mental want list. I bought 'After a fashion' in 1994, a decade later.

My collection: 7" single no. 2086

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, March 26, 1994

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'After a fashion' / 'Textures'

Download: here

Aubrey - Bread

The American band Bread consisted of David Gates, Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer, Mike Botts and, later, Larry Knechtel. They signed to Elektra records in 1968. 'Aubrey' (1973) was their last hit before the band split up due to internal conflicts.

I got to know Bread thanks to a compilation cd owned by my sister. My interest in the group was so big that I started to buy their singles initially. Only later did I eventually buy the same compilation cd myself. I found this particular single, made in Japan, in a shop in the centre of Brussels, amid a whole collection of Japanese singles for discount prices.

My collection: 7" single no. 1538

Found: Record shop, Brussels, 1991

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Aubrey' / 'Didn't even know her name'

Download: Album 'Guitar man', including both tracks