Starship 109 - Mistral

The studio group Mistral was initiated by Robbie van Leeuwen (ex-Shocking Blue) and Rick van der Linden. While on their debut single 'Jamie' the vocals were performed by Sylvia van Asten, on the next single 'Starship 109' Marjan Schattelijn took care of this. Sylvia had left because of internal differences.

'Starship 109' was even more successful than 'Jamie' had been: the single reached number 9 in April 1978.

My collection: 7" single no. 3841
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Starship 109' / 'Love destruction'

It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it - Fun Boy Three with Bananarama

'It ain't what you do (It's the way that you do it)' was originally written by jazz musicians Melvin 'Sy' Oliver and James 'Trummy' Young. It was first recorded in 1939 by both Jimmie Lunceford and Ella Fitzgerald.

It was transformed to a ska/pop song in 1982, when Fun Boy Three recorded their debut album.
Terry Hall of the trio owned a copy of Bananarama's previous single 'Aie a mwana' and after reading an article about them he decided he wanted them to sing background vocals on this song, solely based on the fact that he liked their look. It became the first chart success for Bananarama and the start of their long and fruitful career. In the Netherlands, both bands debuted in the chart with this song, reaching number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 3831
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it' / 'The 'Funrama' theme'

Automatic pilot - Fay Lovski

Fay Lovski was one of the more interesting artists in the Netherlands during the first half of the Eighties. Her 1982 single 'Automatic pilot' did not reach the Dutch Top 40, but it is still a very charming song, making great use of the new sounds of that time.

I have to say that I've mostly forgotten about this song. I still decided to buy the single because most of her songs during that time are quite special. Fortunately, this one is no exception.

My collection: 7" single no. 3832
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Automatic pilot' / 'Walk don't walk'

Say it say it - E.G. Daily

So I've had the 12" single of 'Say it say it' for more than 20 years. I didn't buy the single because I didn't have enough money at the time. I didn't have that excuse anymore when I saw the single today - a steal at only 50 eurocents. Besides, the single had a B-side that didn't appear on the 12" single!

The single was a reasonable success for the American singer. It reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 70 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3843
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Say it say it' / 'Don't let them take the child away'

Blow the house down - Living in a box

Having seen the Here and Now tours in the UK between 2001 and 2004, I've also had the pleasure to see Living in a box live. It was a mixed pleasure, actually. The songs were decent enough, but the band members had become a bit older and didn't move too subtle anymore. Especially 'Blow the house down' lacked the power it should have.

Back in 1989, this single was a hit for the band. It reached number 10 in the UK and number 11 in the Netherlands. I didn't like it back then. But the live performances did change that: it's actually quite a powerful song. Just as long as singer Richard Darbyshire didn't try to clap his hands in the air, though...

My collection: 7" single no. 3830
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Blow the house down' / 'Dance the mayonnaise'

Club Fantastic megamix - Wham!

'Club Fantastic megamix' is a unique Wham! single, because it's the only one that didn't become a top 10 hit in the UK. It still peaked at number 15, so that wasn't too bad, but all the other singles they released during their career made it into the top 10, which is quite a feat!

The megamix was a medley of three album tracks from Wham's debut album 'Fantastic': 'A ray of sunshine', 'Love machine' and 'Come on'. The band members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley did not approve of this release. It was released three months after Wham! had begun proceedings to leave the label Innervision records.

My collection: 7" single no. 3846
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Club Fantastic megamix' / 'A ray of sunshine (instrumental mix)'

Positive reaction - Mandy Smith

Mandy Smith became a model during her early teens. In 1987 she was signed to PWL Records. The production trio Stock/Aitken/Waterman produced her first two singles, 'I just can't wait' and 'Positive reaction'. Neither single charted in the UK. The latter reached number 9 in Italy and number 11 in Switzerland.

Mandy Smith started dating Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman at age 13 in 1983. Six years later, they got married. In 1991, they divorced. In 2001, she was briefly engaged to Vanity Fair fashion model Ian Mosby with whom she had a son, Max Harrison Mosby. Smith now lives in Manchester. Having tried a career as a make up artist, Smith is presently training to be a counsellor.

My collection: 7" single no. 3836
Found: Zeeheldenfestival, Den Haag, July 4, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Positive reaction (Our Mandy's mix)' / 'Positive reaction (Amanda's mix)'