Die Roboter - Kraftwerk

The German magazine Musikexpress released three Kraftwerk singles over a period of a few years. I bought the magazine with singles of 'Heimcomputer' and 'Tour de France', but I missed out on the first one, 'Die Roboter', released in 2017. 

Of course, there is always the internet. I found a copy on Discogs.com recently for a price actually lower than a magazine would have cost me. I can live without the magazine, but I really needed to have this single! The B-side has a simple etching of 'Kraftwerk' and the number 1 through 8. The version of 'Die Roboter' comes from the album 3-D Der Katalog, a box set that I still need to buy. There is always something to hunt down!

My collection: 7" single no. 7384
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 October 2024
Tracks: 'Die Roboter'

Amiga Quartett - Robin Gibb

I was ordering some singles online and this one popped up with the same seller for just one euro. As you know I'm a sucker for Amiga EP's, I snapped it up despite already owning both tracks on side A. Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised by the two other tracks. 'Robot' in particular is a song you wouldn't expect from one of the Bee Gees.

My quest for Amiga Quartett EP's will continue for some time, because these East German discs have a special kind of appeal - especially when they contain music from artists that I know and like.

My collection: 7" single no. 7383
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Juliet', 'How old are you' / 'Boys do fall in love', 'Robot'

Clean clean - Bruce Woolley

I knew 'Clean clean' as a song by the Buggles, but I wasn't aware that it was a cover version of a song originally recorded by Bruce Woolley. 

His version was released as a single on 2 November 1979. The song was actually written by Woolley with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, so it isn't really a surprise that the song would turn up on the Buggles' debut album The age of plastic. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7382
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Clean clean' / 'Flying man'

Rock bottom - Lynn Thomas & Paul Clark

Nobody knows who Lynn Thomas and Paul Clark were, but they recorded a cover version of 'Rock bottom', the song with which Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977. 

The B-side of this single, which was released in Portugal only, is a cover of the Leo Sayer song 'You make me feel like dancing'. And so this single perfectly captures the music scene of 1977.

My collection: 7" single no. 7381
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Rock bottom' / 'You make me feel like dancing'

Elle était si jolie - Roland Barth

In 1963 Alain Barriere represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Elle était si jolie'. Back then it wasn't unusual that Eurovision songs got several cover versions even in the same year, and often on singles that were available for a reduced price.

This single presents a version by Roland Barth, an unknown singer whose version was released on several different EP's on the Tiercé Panorama label in 1963. Three versions are listed on Discogs, all of them featuring a photograph of a glamorous lady. Perhaps that was the way to get people to buy these discs.

My collection: 7" single no. 7380
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Elle était si jolie' (Roland Barth) / 'Slow, always' (James Award)

Nothin (that compares 2 u) - The Jacksons

For a while, the Jacksons were one of the world's most popular bands. Songs like 'Shake your body down to the ground' and 'Blame it on the boogie' became big hits, and who could forget the expensive video for 'Can you feel it'? In July 1984, the Jacksons launched their Victory Tour, which was overshadowed by ticket issues, friction between the brothers, and a shakeup in the promotion and marketing team, initially headed by Don King, who was later fired. Michael announced he was leaving the group after their final performance at Dodger Stadium that December to continue his solo career.

In 1989, the remaining quartet of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Randy released the album 2300 Jackson Street. From that album, this single was released. 'Nothin (that compares 2 u)' is a generic dance song, somewhat in line with what other artists were releasing around that time, but its lack of a memorable hook meant that it was the band's chart singles - even if it only reached number 77 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the UK singles chart.

After a brief promotional tour, the group went into hiatus and never recorded another album together. Following the release of one solo album, Marlon quit the music business in 1989 and invested in real estate. Randy has not been active in the industry since he disbanded the group Randy & the Gypsys in 1991. Tito Jackson passed away on 15 September 2024.

My collection: 7" single no. 7378
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Nothin (that compares 2 u)' / 'Alright with me'

Fernando - Abba

Like I wrote recently, the French do things differently, and that applies to this release of Abba's 'Fernando' as well. The Dutch and German versions of the single had 'Tropical Loveland' on the B-side, some other territories went for 'Hey hey Helen', but the French went for 'Dance (while the music still goes on)'. It is actually a better song than the other two in my opinion, so kudos to the French for this release.

In France, 'Fernando' reached number 2 in the singles chart, which was in line with most other countries, where it ended up either peaking at number 2 or topping the chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7376
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Fernando' / 'Dance (while the music still goes on)'