Go deep - Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson released 'Go deep' in the summer of 1998 as a single from her 1997 album 'The velvet rope'. It is an upbeat song, written by Jackson with James Harris III, Terry Lewis and René Elizondo Jr.

According to a listing on Wikipedia, there are 27 remixes of the song, and five of them appear on this promotional double 12" single. All five remixes on these discs were created by Masters at Work. Other remixes were made by Roni Size, Timbaland, Teddy Riley and Jam & Lewis.

My collection: 12" single no. 603
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Go deep (Thunder mix)', 'Go deep (Bonus beats)' / 'Go deep (Spiritual flute mix)' // 'Go deep (Vocal deep disco dub)' / 'Go deep (Alternative mix)'

This is your life - Banderas

Although 'This is your life' by the Banderas was a hit in several European countries, I never realised there might me a local release of this track. So when I found out about this Italian 12" single, I was very surprised.

I collects four remixes of the track by four different Italian remixers, and they all have their own input on the track. It was great that I could buy this 12" single quite easily from the same website where I found out about it: the great discogs.com.

My collection: 12" single no. 602
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'This is your life (Remix by Joe T. Vannelli for J.T. Company)', 'This is your life (Remix by S. Carboni, R. Corinaldesi, M. Violante)' / 'This is your life (Remix by FPI Project)', 'This is your life (Remix by Massimino & Fabio B.)

Enjoy - Solid Gold Easy Amex featuring Red Box

'Enjoy' started its life as the B-side of Red Box's single 'Heart of the sun'. Three years after its release, the track was remixed by Paul Oakenfold. This 12" single was the result: a track credited to 'Solid Gold Easy Amex featuring Red Box'. Side A featured the remix, the B-side was the original 1987 track.

The remix became a club hit, charting at number 75 on Independent Radio's Network Chart, although failing to reach the official UK singles chart.

My collection: 12" single no. 599
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Enjoy (Paul Oakenfold future mix)' / 'Enjoy (Original Golden Lay)'

What can I say - Boz Scaggs

In 1976, Boz Scaggs who had been working music for over a decade, linked up with session musicians who would later form Toto and recorded his hit album 'Silk degrees'. The album reached number 2 on the US Billboard 200, and number 1 in a number of countries across the world. The album also spawned three hit singles: 'Lowdown', 'Lido shuffle' and 'What can I say'.

In the Netherlands, 'What can I say' was the biggest hit of the three, peaking at number 5 in April 1977. It was one of those songs that defined the year for me, although I was quite young at the time.

My collection: 7" single no. 2415
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'What can I say' / 'Harbor lights'

All stood still - Ultravox

After 'Vienna' became a hit in 1981, I became a big fan of the band. This was helped along a bit by the fact that my parents took me on holiday to Vienna for five years between 1980 and 1984. I was impressed with the city, but even more impressed by the views of Ultravox's music video I saw in real life. And then there was the majestic album of the same name, which my sister bought. This is how I knew that the next single, 'All stood still' was almost just as good. Unfortunately, that one was never a hit.

I finally bought the single in 1995. I don't know why I waited so long, I do know I wanted to have it years earlier. But as always, back in 1981 I didn't have the money and in later years I never saw the single. So it was good to finally get hold of it in a second hand shop in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 2348
Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'All stood still' / 'Alles klar'

Loreen - Sandra

German singer Sandra released 'Loreen' as the fourth and final single from her second album 'Mirrors'. It was less successful than the three previous singles, but still managed to peak at number 23 in Germany and number 29 in Switzerland.

This 12" single, unfortunately, doesn't contain a remix of the track. It happened more often in the Eighties: a 7" single and a 12" single with exactly the same tracks on them. Well, at least the sleeve and the disc were bigger.

My collection: 12" single no. 313
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Loreen' / 'Don't cry (The breakup of the world)'

Human nature - Michael Jackson

Now that his doctor/quack has been declared guilty of making him 'gone too soon', Michael Jackson can finally rest in relative peace. Although pop stars will never push the daisies without being talked about ad infinitum. I certainly hope the talk will be more about the man's music and less about real or fictitious scandals.

'Human nature' is a good example of what this man could do with his voice and a beautiful melody. It was released in July 1983 as the fifth single from his bestselling album 'Thriller'. It reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 35 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3532
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Human nature' / 'Baby be mine'