Chenko - Red Box

Simon Toulson-Clarke formed his first band at age thirteen with school friend Paddy Talbot, playing covers of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple as well as some self-penned material. On leaving school he moved to Middlesborough and formed another band in the vein of the New York Dolls. In the late Seventies he went to study at The Polytechnic of Central London, where he formed a band with Julian Close. This band took on the name Red Box after a while and included further band members Paddy Talbot, Rob Legge and Martin Nickson. The group released their debut single 'Chenko' on the Cherry Red label in 1983.

I bought the single in 1996, after having collected all the later releases on WEA Records. This version is very different from the one that ended up on their 1986 debut album 'The circle and the square', which makes it all the more interesting.

My collection: 7" single no. 2783

Found: London, November 1, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Chenko' / 'Valley'

Download: here

Ain't no sunshine - Michael Jackson

'Ain't no sunshine' is best known by most people in the version of Bill Withers. A young Michael Jackson recorded his version in the summer of 1972 and had a hit with it too. Despite his age (Michael was only 13 years oid when he recorded this), the song is performed in a believable way.

I actually didn't know Michael Jackson's version until I bought this single, which is pretty recently.

My collection: 7" single no. 3505

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Ain't no sunshine' / 'In our small way'

Download: here

Dreaming - Blondie

'Dreaming' was the lead single from Blondie's fourth album 'Eat to the beat'. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, but did less well in other territories. In their homeland America, it stalled at no. 27.

Personally, I felt this was one of Blondie's best tracks when it came out. During a holiday in Paris, this single was the one I requested from my parents as a souvenir. And that is why to this day I own a French pressing of this single...

My collection: 7" single no. 30

Found: Paris, 1979

Cost: nothing (present)

Tracks: 'Dreaming' / 'Sound asleep'

Download: here

I have a dream - Abba

'I have a dream' was released in December 1979, but it wasn't a Christmas song. Still, the European sleeve of the single states that it is a 'Special Christmas Souvenir edition'. It may have originated from the 'Special Souvenir edition' pictured here. The folded sleeve, released in the UK, contains a special statement from the members of the band, saying that 'November 1979 will always be full of fond memories of our UK tour. Releasing this single gives us the opportunity to thank the thousands of you who made our visit so memorable. In 1979, The Year Of The Child, 'I have a dream' had a special meaning for us and enabled us to perform the song with choirs of British schoolchildren who joined us on stage each night.'

Together with a live recording of 'Take a chance on me' as performed in Wembley, London, this single was not so much a Christmas Souvenir as a UK Tour souvenir.

My collection: 7" single no. 3245

Found: London, 2000

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I have a dream' / 'Take a chance on me (live)'

Download: here

I've been to a marvellous party - The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy contributed a cover version of Noel Coward's 'I've been to a marvellous party' to the 1998 compilation album 'Twentieth Century Blues' to benefit the Red Hot AIDS Charitable Trust. Subsequently, the track was remixed by Trouser Enthusiasts, Sharp South Park, Floorgazm and Pink Noise for a promotional 12" single release, which was never made available commercially. As such, this 12" set was hard to come by.

Having become a fan of the remixes by Trouser Enthusiasts, it didn't take me long to order the set up from England. Within a week I was the proud owner of this set, which, aside from that Trouser Enthusiasts remix, consists mainly of loud bouncing noises...

My collection: 12" single no. 399

Found: Esprit Mail Order, UK, 1999

Cost: 15 pounds

Tracks: 'I've been to a marvellous party (Trouser Enthusiasts Formaldehyde Spritzer mix)' / 'I've been to a marvellous party (Sharp South Park Remix)' // 'I've been to a marvellous party (Floorgazm remix)' / 'I've been to a marvellous party (Pink Noise remix)'

Download: here

Bad times - Ellis Beggs and Howard

After Kajagoogoo split in 1986, bassist Nick Beggs started to work with several other musicians. He formed Ellis Beggs & Howard in March 1987, together with Simon Ellis and Austin Howard. They quickly found success in Europe, thanks to debut single 'Big bubbles, no troubles'. This single, 'Bad times', was the second single, which failed to make any impact in the charts. The album 'Homelands' underwent a similar fate.

My collection: 7" single no. 3513

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,75 euro

Tracks: 'Bad times' / 'One tongue'

Download: here

Carmen Brasilia - Bob Callaghan and co.

This single was released in 1972 at the same time as other versions of 'Carmen Brasilia' by Anarchic System and Revolution System. The Moog synthesizer was getting popular under the influence of Gershon Kingsley's 'Popcorn' tune. Like the other versions, 'Carmen Brasilia' is an instrumental track, performed on a Moog synthesizer, based on the most famous part of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The B-side of this single is based on the old traditional 'Amazing grace'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3501

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'Carmen Brasilia' / 'Il gabbiano infelice'

Download: Album 'Instrumental Moog Synthesizer', including both tracks