Saskatchewan - Red Box

Besides the 7" single 'Saskatchewan' there was also a 12" single. The buyer got his money's worth, because he didn't just get an extended remix, but also an alternative 7" mix.

I got this 12" single from a friend, who wanted to get rid of it and had heard about my newfound obsession for Red Box releases. I didn't have much at that time (just the LP 'Heart of the sun' and a single or two), so I was very surprised when I heard the strange versions of 'Saskatchewan' on this disc. It was one of the nicest gifts I'd had in a while.

My collection: 12" single no. 224

Found: Beverwijk, 1992 (present)

Cost: nothing

Tracks: 'Saskatchewan (Crew's testing mix)' / 'Speeches', 'Saskatchewan (Alternative 7" mix)'

Radioactivity - Kraftwerk

The original single of 'Radioactivity' was released in 1976. In 1991, Kraftwerk released the album 'The mix', which contained remixed versions of some of their most popular tracks. The album included a remix of 'Radioactivity'. For the single, 'Radioactivity' was remixed by François Kevorkian and William Orbit.

The single peaked at number 43 in the UK singles chart. The album 'The mix', Kraftwerk's first since 1986's 'Electric cafe', did even better: it peaked at number 15 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2332
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Radioactivity (François Kevorkian 7" remix)' / 'Radioactivity (William Orbit 7" mix)'

Radio Africa - Latin Quarter

Latin Quarter formed in the early Eighties. The line-up changed through the years, but in their 1986 heyday it was Steve Skaith, Richard Wright, Michael Jones, Greg Harewood, Yona Dunsford, Carole Douet, Martin Lascelles and Dave Charles.

Their biggest hit was 'Radio Africa' (1985), which was shown regularly on music television channels like Sky Channel and Music Box during that time. It peaked at number 19 in the UK singles chart in February 1986. It reached the Dutch Top 40 a couple of months earlier, peaking at number 37 in October 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 2530
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Radio Africa' / 'Voices inside'

Time after time - Cyndi Lauper

After all the craziness of 'Girls just wanna have fun', Cyndi Lauper's next single 'Time after time' made be breathe a sigh of relief. Indeed, the woman was capable of making a beautiful song as well. She was rewarded with a number 1 in America, while the single peaked at number 3 in the UK and number 5 in the Netherlands.

Lauper co-wrote 'Time after time' with Rob Hyman of The Hooters. She indicated much of the lyrics were written about occurrences in the studio and her life at the time. The line 'the second hand unwinds' referred to producer Rick Chertoff's watch which was winding backwards.

Lauper re-recorded the song in 2005 as an acoustic version, together with Sarah McLachlan. It was included on Lauper's album 'The body acoustic'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1017

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'Time after time' / 'I'll kiss you'

Download: Album 'She's so unusual', including both tracks (password: mobetterpop.blogspot.com)

I eat cannibals - Toto Coelo

Toto Coelo had a very short career in pop business, this single being their only hit. Released in August 1982, 'I eat cannibals' peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart. The single was followed by 'Dracula's Tango (Sucker For Your Love)', which only made it to number 53.

An album was issued containing both singles, together with a selection of unreleased tracks in 1983 titled 'Man o' War'. This album flopped. Following this, Anita Mahadervan and Sheen Doran left the group. In 1985 the remaining three members released two singles under the Toto Coelo name. Neither of those singles ('Girl's night out' and 'Gimme some lovin") was a success.

My collection: 7" single no. 3169

Found: Record Exchange, London, January 18, 2000

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'I eat cannibals (part 1)' / 'I eat cannibals (part 2)'

Download: here

Wonderwall - Mike Flowers pops

Mike Roberts founded the Mike Flowers Pops, a British easy listening band, known for lounge music covers of both older and contemporary pop music. They first came to prominence in 1995 when they released a cover version of Oasis's hit song 'Wonderwall'. DJ Chris Evans heard the song and made it 'single of the week' on his Radio 1 Breakfast show, telling listeners that this was the original version of the song. The single was released while the Oasis original was still in the charts. It peaked at number two in the UK Singles chart.

Oasis had previously refused to let other novelty acts parody the song, but were said to have enjoyed Flowers' tape so much that they allowed the group to cut it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2658

Found: HMV, London, June 29, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Wonderwall' / 'Son of God', 'Theme from Memory Man'

Download: here

Generation sex - The Divine Comedy

After the 7" single for 'Becoming more like Alfie', subsequent singles 'The frog princess' and 'Everybody knows (except you)' weren't released on 7" vinyl. So maybe it was all over? Well, no, because the first single from The Divine Comedy's 1998 album 'Fin de siècle' was released on the format again. What's more: it contained an exclusive track, not released on other formats.

'Generation sex' was the opening track of said album and features narration by presenter and columnist Katie Puckrik. It reached number 19 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3041

Found: Mail order, UK, received November 14, 1998

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Generation sex' / 'Postcard to Rosie'