El Salvador - Athlete

I keep adding random Athlete singles to my collection and since I have the later repertoire pretty much complete, it's the early stuff that I'm after. 'El Salvador' was their fourth single, and the third one to be taken from the debut album Vehicles & Animals. Although 'You got the style' was the first to break into the UK Top 40, 'El Salvador' became their biggest success at that point, peaking at number 31. 

The real surprise on this single is its B-side. 'Moving out' is an epic track with an instrumental ending that intrigues. I was quite impressed by this track and it was an early indication that this band was going to create some glorious music.

My collection: 7" single no. 8307
Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, 1 July 2026
Tracks: 'El Salvador' / 'Moving out' 

Vivo cantando / El trovador - Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos

Three years ago I found this colourful single by Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos, with a cover version of 'La, la, la'. A year later, the group was at it again, with not one, but two cover versions of Eurovision songs: 'Vivo cantando' (the Spanish entry) and 'El trovador' (the Dutch entry!). 

I was actually aware that the group  had covered 'De troubadour', so I was very happy to find a copy of this single!

My collection: 7" single no. 8306
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 May 2026
Tracks: 'Vivo cantando' / 'El trovador'

Just for you - Spargo

The Dutch group Spargo made some catchy songs in the early Eighties, although some were embarrassing ('Hip hap hop' anyone?). Fortunately, 'Just for you' is one of their better singles and became a hit in various European countries.

Lead singer Lilian Day-Jackson, stepdaughter of jazz drummer Art Blakey, passed away in April 2023, aged 63. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8305
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 May 2026
Tracks:  'Just for you' / 'Fandango's invitation'

Latin America - Gibson Brothers

The Gibson Brothers were very successful at the height of the disco craze with songs like 'Non stop dance', 'Cuba' and 'Que sera mi vida'. In 1980 they released 'Latin America', and it would be their last hit outside their native France. It reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

A song like 'Latin America' almost writes itself: in the chorus the phrase of the title is alternated with countries and cities from that region. Still, it's a catchy song and quite enjoyable.

My collection: 7" single no. 8304
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 May 2026
Tracks: 'Latin America' / 'Latin America (part two)'

The baby, she's on the street - Jona Lewie

Jona Lewie started his solo career in 1976 with the single 'Cherry Ring', which was followed by this single, 'The baby, she's on the street'. The track almost had a trademark Stiff sound, the record label that became famous because of Madness and Kirsty MacColl. Although the song is never mentioned on his biographies, it is catchy as hell, but it didn't chart. He would have his first hit in 1980, the inimitable 'You will always find me in the kitchen at parties'. 

I found this single during a random visit to Leiden and I felt it was interesting enough to buy it. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8303
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 May 2026
Tracks: 'The baby, she's on the street' / 'Denny Laine's valet'

We close our eyes '93 - Go West

When Go West released a greatest hits album (Aces and Kings - The best of Go West) in 1993, it seemed like a good idea to release a remixed version of their successful debut single 'We close our eyes'. Tom Lord Alge was commissioned to do the job, but unfortunately the remix didn't do much to distinguish it from the original version. 

The single was only a minor success in the UK, where it reached number 40 in the charts, and I wasn't awware of this release until last month! It's a nice curio, but unfortunately nothing really special.

My collection: 7" single no. 8301
Found: Discogs.com, received 20 May 2026
Tracks: 'We close our eyes 93' / 'Tell me' 

Party girl - Grace Jones

Grace Jones followed up her monumental album Slave to the rhythm (1985) with the rather less engaging Inside Story (1986), which spawned a few singles. The single 'Party girl' was the least successful of the three, as it only reached number 82 in the UK singles chart and number 53 in Germany. 

The song was remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero for single release and another Inside Story track, "White Collar Crime", was used as the single B-side.  

My collection: 7" single no. 8299
Found: Discogs.com, received 20 May 2026
Tracks: 'Party girl' / 'White collar crime'