:: Archive 21 :: 501 - 525 ::

Here you will gain exclusive access to my own personal record collection! I try to bring you mp3s of rare tracks, deleted material, long forgotten artists, total flops and down right obscure shit. Often, my choices were only available on vinyl or were just plain unreleased, the aim being to indulge an old fan or inspire a new one. I try not to post up forthcoming releases or anything that's too readily available. Honest, Gov!

There's a tenuous thread running through the tracks but your requests are always welcome and I'll try and squeeze them in amongst my own fancies... eventually.

Do read all the blurb, as there's often links to extra tracks lurking in there... ; )

Tracks are only available for a 'limited time' folks (sometimes months!), so get them while you can!



Now for the science bit! To access the music, please click on 'Download' and you'll be whisked off to those nice people over at Sharebee. Tracks are ripped at 192 kbps and wherever possible taken from the highest quality source available. All of the music offered here has been purchased by myself and is part of my own collection. Tracks are for evaluation purposes only and wherever possible, purchasing is always encouraged. If you own any of the material posted here or anywhere else on this site and are very cross with me, please email me with threats and such like...

525
:: Lisa M :: Love's Heartbreak :: Download

Lisa M (the M for Moorish) is a British singer-songwriter and occasional model who was born and raised in Brixton, South London. She had her first taste of 'fame' when she made a fleetingly brief cameo in Bros.' 'When Will I Be Famous?' video as a teenager in 1988. By 1989, she was the star of her own pop music video for her debut single, 'Going Back To My Roots', a house track on Jive Records. The track was produced and mixed by Mick Talbot and Paul Weller, both then of The Style Council, whose 1989 house music album, 'Modernism: A New Decade', had just been rejected by their label. Not a roaring success outside of the clubs, 17-year-old Lisa never the less released a second single for Jive, underground acid-house hit, 'Rock To The Beat' (listen to it here), written by Inner City's Kevin Saunderson. It similarly failed to trouble the UK singles chart and things went quiet for a couple of years. Lisa M re-appeared in 1991, now signed to Polydor Records, releasing two further singles. 'Love's Heartbreak' re-introduced her as a highly styled Neneh Cherry look-alike with a new soul/swingbeat sound, but still chart success was not forthcoming. A follow-up release, the Nellee Hooper-produced 'People', also flopped dismally and she parted company with Polydor. Three years later, in 1994, she signed her third recording contract, this time with Go! Discs, releasing four singles as Lisa Moorish ('Just The Way It Is', 'Love For Life', 'Mr Friday Night' and 'I'm Your Man') between 1994-96. The latter was a cover of the Wham! track and featured George Michael on backing vocals. An album was also released, 'I've Gotta Have It All', but Lisa's third stab at solo stardom was still not quite a runaway success and so she disappeared from the music scene once again. In March 1998, she gave birth to her daughter Molly. Molly's father is Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and she was conceived just 2 months after Gallagher married Patsy Kensit. Lisa and Liam had been dating on and off for two years before he got together with Kensit. Lisa then appeared, uncredited, in the films 'Soul Patrol' (1999) and 'Love, Honour And Obey' (2000) but did not return to music until she appeared as the lead singer with KillCity in 2004... Trivia! Lisa provided backing vocals on Ash's 'Oh Yeah' single, released in 1996.

524
:: No Way Sis :: I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing :: Download

No Way Sis were an official Oasis tribute band originating from Glasgow. The band had a top 40 hit in the UK in 1996 with their single, 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing', a cover of The New Seekers song made famous from it's use in the Coca Cola TV adverts in the 1970s. Oasis' original unlicensed use of the original tune on their 1994 single, 'Shakermaker', had led to them being successfully sued by The New Seekers. Oasis' lead guitarist Noel Gallagher has in the past heralded No Way Sis as the "second best band in the world" and presented his doppelganger, Gerry McKay, with the golden Les Paul guitar he played in the video for 'Some Might Say'. As the hysteria surrounding Oasis cooled off towards the end of the 1990s, the demand for No Way Sis and the slue of other Oasis tribute bands rapidly decreased and they split up. In the 2003 Brit Pop documentary film, 'Live Forever: The Rise And Fall Of Brit Pop', Gallagher humorously recalls meeting one of the members around 1997 who complained to Gallagher that the band were facing trouble due to the immense popularity of The Urban Verve, a Verve cover band. This mirrored Oasis' own declining popularity compared to Verve's rising star. Gerry McKay was also interviewed for the documentary, but the footage was not used in the final cut. Trivia! Other Oasis tribute band's over the years have included Blurasis, Definitely Might Be, Oasish, Oasisn’t and Okasis. NoWaySisSpace.

523
:: Oasis :: She's Electric :: Download

Oasis' second album, '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?' was released on 2nd October 1995 in the UK. The album was Oasis' most enduring commercial success, charting at number 1 in the UK, and staying there for 10 weeks, and reaching number 4 in the USA. The album sold 347, 000 copies in its first week in the UK and has so far sold over 18 million copies worldwide. It is the third biggest-selling album in UK chart history (with 4.3 million copies sold here), behind Queen's 'Greatest Hits' and The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' respectively. The album has gone four times platinum in the United States. The singles 'Some Might Say', 'Roll With It', 'Wonderwall' and 'Don't Look Back In Anger' were huge hits in the UK, with 'Some Might Say' and 'Don't Look Back In Anger' both reaching the number 1 spot in the UK singles chart. 'Wonderwall' and 'Champagne Supernova' went gold in the United States. My personal favourite track from the album, and in fact from the whole Oasis back catalogue, is 'She's Electric'. It's a chirpy little disposable pop-rock song, with some truly clumsy lyrics, rhyming "sister" with "blister" and "cousin" with "oven"... love it. The '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?' cover photo was taken on Berwick Street in Soho, London, a street known for its independent record shops (I shop there when I can!). 'Dig Out Your Soul', the seventh studio album by the band, is set to be released on 6th October 2008, with the lead single, 'The Shock Of The Lightning', set to be released on 29th September 2008. Trivia! At the height of the Brit Pop face-off between Blur and Oasis in September 1995, Noel Gallagher told 'The Observer' that he hoped Damon Albarn and Alex James would "catch AIDS and die". He subsequently apologised for this in a formal letter to various publications... Here's Oasis' TV debut on 'The Word', March 1994. P.S. Liam was officially hot circa 1994. Website.

522
:: Simple Minds :: Love Song :: Download

With a musical history that almost runs in retrograde to that of Irish rock band U2, Simple Minds (core members Jim Kerr on vocals and Charlie Burchill on guitar) began their career with a highly synthesized sound. Early works (conveniently collected here) were typically minimalist, dance-oriented compositions, like those of their influencers Neu! and Kraftwerk, and long before the term 'trance' was even invented. Things really got interesting with Simple Minds' second full length release, 'Real To Real Cacophony', which had a darker edge and announced some of the New Wave experimentation that would become the band’s trademark sound over the next few albums. These innovations included the occasional use of unconventional time signatures, minimal structures based around the rhythm section, heavily processed guitars and sequenced keyboards. The band's label, however, demonstrated little enthusiasm for such experimentation and in 1981 Simple Minds switched from the Arista label to Virgin. Simple Minds first release on Virgin was actually comprised of two albums; 'Sons And Fascination' and the mini-album 'Sister Feelings Call', which later CD re-releases would collect together. These releases showcased the band’s musicianship during their most prolific period and the band’s musical virtuosity suggested their orientation was somewhat headed toward the realm of progressive rock. Now distanced from the flippancy of many other New Wave acts, Peter Gabriel was impressed enough to select Simple Minds as the opening act on several European dates, which increased the band's visibility. 'Love Song' was an international hit (reaching the top 20 in Canada and Australia) and the anthem-like instrumental, 'Theme For Great Cities', proved an enduring fan favourite. Simple Minds' sixth studio album, 'New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)', released in 1982, was a significant turning point for the band. With a slick, sophisticated sound, they were soon categorised as part of the New Romantic outgrowth of New Wave along with Duran Duran and the record generated a handful of charting singles ('Promised You A Miracle' (video) and 'Glittering Prize'), which both hit the UK top 20. Despite the success of the album, some early Simple Minds fans criticized the band's more commercial orientation but the formula that had defined Simple Minds' New Wave period had run its course, and the next record, 'Sparkle In The Rain', was a complete departure. An aggressive, rock-oriented set of songs, the result of this shift in musical direction gave rise to hugely successful singles like 'Waterfront', which hit number 1 in a few European countries and remains one of the band's signature songs to this day. In 1984, Jim Kerr married Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders, whom Simple Minds supported on an American tour. They divorced in 1990. Despite the band's new-found popularity in the UK and Europe, Simple Minds remained essentially unknown in the US. The movie 'The Breakfast Club' changed all that when the band achieved their only number 1 US hit with the film's classic opening track, 'Don't You (Forget About Me)'. Taking advantage of their new-found popularity, Simple Minds released their most unashamedly commercial album, 'Once Upon A Time', which was tailored specifically to appeal to the stadium-rock sensibilities of American audiences. Reviled by some long-time fans, yet embraced by millions of new listeners and critically well-received, the record reached number 1 in the UK and number 10 in the US. The album generated four worldwide hit singles; 'Alive & Kicking' (video), 'Sanctify Yourself', 'Ghostdancing' and 'All The Things She Said'. After this lengthy period of touring, and a live album, Simple Minds went back into the studio and recorded the politically charged album 'Street Fighting Years', which was released in 1989. The first single from the album, six-minute opus 'Belfast Child', was the band's first and only number 1 hit in the UK. The album shot straight to number 1, too and received glowing praise, except over in the States where 'Rolling Stone' slated it. After 1991's highly-polished 'Real Life', Simple Minds popularity began to decline, with each successive album ('Good News From The Next World' in 1995, 'Neapolis' in 1998, the withdrawn 'Our Secrets Are The Same' from 2000 and covers album 'Neon Lights' in 2001) returning dwindling sales. 2002's 'Cry' album, although not selling in great numbers, prompted a North American tour, their first in seven years. With a nod to the recent influence of trance and techno music, the shows saw the band update their early tracks, including 'New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)', 'The American' and 'I Travel', the latter of which had not been performed live for many years. 'Black & White 050505', released in 2005, failed to reignite any chart success and the mainstream media generally ignored the album or gave it poor reviews. In May 2007 it was announced that the original members of Simple Minds are due to work together for the first time in 27 years and a new album is pencilled in for early 2009. Can someone please buy this for me? Thanks. Trivia! Italian dance act U.S.U.R.A. sampled Simple Mind's 'New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)', as well as dialogue from the film 'Total Recall', on their 1992 hit 'Open Your Mind' (video). Fansite.

521
:: Big Audio Dynamite :: E=MC² :: Download

'E=MC2' is a song written by Mick Jones, the guitarist and singer of The Clash, and performed by his post-Clash band Big Audio Dynamite (later known as Big Audio Dynamite II and Big Audio, and often abbreviated BAD). It was included on their 1986 debut album 'This Is Big Audio Dynamite' and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. This song was inspired by the films of Director Nicolas Roeg, in particular 'Insignificance', and it's lyrics allude to various scenes from the films, as well as featuring dialogue audio samples from one of them, 'Performance', starring Mick Jagger ("You're Jack the Lad!"). The video, which was directed by then-member Don Letts, is also made up of clips from several Roeg films. The track is considered to be the first song to utilise the highly defined sampling technologies that were emerging at the time. It also is the best example of the group's diverse combination of punk rock, dance music, hip-hop, reggae and funk. I personally think the track is one of the best singles this country has produced, which is a pretty lofty accolade but it is quite simply a very good single. If you aren't familiar with it, what are you waiting for? This is the full length version, which appears on the album, which is the definitive version if you ask me but there's also a '7" Edit' and an 'Extended Remix' should the curious wish to investigate further... As of 2005, Mick Jones is working on a new music venture with Tony James (ex-member of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik) called Carbon/Silicon. Trivia! Hard-Fi performed this track live with special guest Mick Jones throughout 2006, but they have yet to release an official recording of it... Learning zone! Albert Einstein's E=MC² formula is explained here!

520
:: Eighth Wonder :: Use Me (Remix) :: Download

'Use Me' was Eighth Wonder's final single release, issued in Japan only and taken from their one and only album, 'Fearless', in 1989. This is the wonderfully dated 12" remix which can be found on either the 3" CD single format or the 'Best Remixes' mini-album. After this release, singer Patsy Kensit went on to pursue a sporadic acting career... Kensit's romantic affairs have often garnered more column inches than her work has. Her first tabloid-published relationship was with Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp. At the time she was allegedly just 12, he was 24 (!). She has been married three times and all her husbands have been musicians. In 1988, she married Dan Donovan of band Big Audio Dynamite. In 1992, she married Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds. In 1997, she married Liam Gallagher from Oasis. She very nearly married for a fourth time, to DJ/Musician Jeremy Healy (ex-Haysi Fantayzee, E-Zee Possee) but they split up and called the wedding off... Trivia! Patsy Kensit briefly returned to singing when she appeared with Avid Merrion and Davina MacCall on the top 5 novelty cover version of Sonny & Cher's 'I Got You Babe' in December 2004 (video - watch for her sending herself up by repeating the "I'm Not Scared" refrain around the 7:13 mark... it's a very long video!).

519
:: Haysi Fantayzee :: John Wayne Is Big Leggy (Groovy Long Version) :: Download

Appearing as a duo in 1981, Haysi Fantayzee were actually a trio, of sorts. Although fronted by white tarantula-dreadlocked singers Jeremy Healy (also known as Jeremiah) and model Kate Garner, Garner's boyfriend, songwriter/producer/manager Paul Caplin, was actually the third member, remaining in the background. Originally Caplin and Garner had intended to make music with just Garner performing, but then they met a 19 year old Healy and decided to pair them up. The band used their shambolic, artsy look as a selling point, making a rough video performance tape and using that instead of a traditional demo tape to sell the band to record companies. Their glamorous 'Oliver Twist'/ragamuffin style outfits were often designed by Garner and the pair looked like androgynous, distorted mirror images of each other, with similar hair and make-up. Their look was often compared to Boy George's at the time. Aside from their wonderful image, Haysi Fantayzee had several fantastic UK hits in 1982 and 1983, such as the brilliantly wacky singles 'John Wayne Is Big Leggy' (about John Wayne refusing to remove his holster whilst having sex with a Native American woman... video), 'Shiny Shiny' (about the apocalypse... video) and 'Sister Friction' (er... haven't a clue... video), but they never took off in the United States. The band often garnered musical comparisons to such contemporary New Wave/Pop acts as Bow Wow Wow, Adam And The Ants and Bananarama. Kate actually appeared alongside Bananarama (and Marilyn, Thereza Bazar of Dollar, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee and Hazel O'Connor) in the music video for 'Who's That Girl?' by Eurythmics. They released just the one album, 1983's 'Battle Hymns For Children Singing', the title of which Healy claims to have made up on the spot when a journalist asked him what the record would be called. The album was re-issued in 2007 via Cherry Red Records, complete with bonus tracks, which you can get over here. Garner attempted a solo career after the break-up of Haysi Fantayzee, releasing just one single, 'Love Me Like A Rocket' (posted here a very long time ago), which was an out and out flop. She then focused on a career in photography in Los Angeles, California. One of her most famous photograph's is of Sinéad O'Connor, which became the cover art for O'Connor's 1987 debut album, 'The Lion And The Cobra'. She has photographed many musicians and celebrities, including Björk, Boy George, Milla Jovovich, David Bowie, PJ Harvey, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and numerous others. Jeremy Healy meanwhile became an accomplished DJ (voted 'Number One DJ' by both 'The Face' and 'Mixmag' magazines) and remixer for other artists, including his former school chum, Boy George, as well as fronting dance project E-Zee Possee. Caplin now runs Caplin Systems, a successful internet software company... This seemingly endless 12" mix is just wonderful, isn't it? "Showdown!". Trivia! Healy was engaged to Patsy Kensit, with the announcement they were to marry made on November 29, 2007. However, on the 31 March 2008 it was reported that the pair had mutually split and called off their wedding... Nice Website. Bonus 'Shiny Shiny' clip from some German TV show over here!

518
:: E-Zee Possee :: Don't Woncha (Featuring Lil D) :: Download

Dance, acid house and techno group, E-Zee Possee, have appeared here once before. They were active between 1989 and 1991, and were a loose collective of male and female vocalists and musicians, signed to Boy George’s More Protein label. Chief songwriters were Simon Rogers and Angela Dust (AKA George O'Dowd) but the only consistent member seems to be Jeremy Healy (previously 50% of 80's pop duo Hayzi Fantayzee) who fronted the project. Other featured artists include MC Kinky, Dr Mouthquake, Tara Newly (Joan Collins' daughter), Naomi Osborne, Beverley Skeetes, Amos, Jagdeep Singh, Cher Ishamel and Lil D. Most of these artists were already involved with other acts or releases on the More Protein label. Commercially, E-Zee Possee were pretty unsuccessful, with only 'Everything Starts With An E' making any impact on the charts, after three releases in total (15). Follow-up efforts were 'Love On Love' (59), 'The Sun Machine' (62) and 'Breathing Is E-Zee' (72 - video), all ahead of their sole album, 'The Bone Dance', which was to be the final release on the More Protein label (or the first incarnation of it, at least). The album is unfortunately one long DJ mix (something I find very annoying) unless you bought the triple vinyl edition, which also boasted a somewhat controversial picture sleeve, depicting people, animals and gods all in various sexually explicit poses. The CD and cassette versions featured censored artwork but carried the naughty catalogue number CUM2. E-Zee Possee is essentially defunct now, with only endless regurgitated remixes of 'Everything Starts With An E' appearing on promos and compilations that George has been involved with since. This track is taken from 'The Bone Dance' and if you like it, click here to download the whole album! Trivia! E-Zee Possee remixed the Shakespear's Sister single 'Dirty Mind' in 1990, which appeared on a limited edition remix 12". The 'E-Zee Remix' later turned up as a bonus track on their 'Stay' CD single in 1991.

517
:: Eve Gallagher :: Crimes Of The Heart :: Download

Eve Gallagher is a Sunderland-born (like me!), 6ft, Amazonian-like singer with an amazing voice. As a youth she rebelled at boarding school and excelled at drama school, which took her to London where she performed in various musicals. Boy George noticed her star quality one evening and snapped her up for his burgeoning More Protein imprint, which sorely needed a Diva. He set about writing classic dance anthems for Eve, such as her debut single in 1990, 'Love Come Down' and follow-up, 'Love Is A Master Of Disguise' in 1991. Both tracks were transatlantic club smashes, garnering remixes from David Morales and DMC's Steve Anderson, of Brothers In Rhythm notoriety. A third single release, 'Heaven Has To Wait', appeared in early 1992, followed by 'Change Your Mind', a remix of which by Hooj Choons proved to be an underground hit. She then undertook a 22-date tour of the United States and made such an impression on audiences that 'Billboard' magazine hailed her as one of the most exciting live performers around. Meanwhile, More Protein had lost it's licensing deal with Virgin Records in the UK, which left Eve's forthcoming album without a label to release it. Undeterred, George and Eve finally found a new home for Eve's records, on Wolverhampton independent Cleveland City, in 1995. Her album was preceded by two singles on the new label; the 'Love Come Down '95' single, featuring a new remix package from the likes of Evolution, Cow & Gate and T-Empo, and house anthem 'You Can Have It All' (video), Gallagher's biggest club and chart success. Eve's debut album, 'Woman Can Have It', was finally released in the UK and the US in 1996, some three years later than originally intended. Produced by Boy George, Amos Pizzey and Evolution, it featured variations of older singles as well as newer material. This track is taken from the album. A final release, 'Last Night', a soulful, down-tempo number was released but failed to chart. Eve then appeared as a featured vocalist on 'Heartbreak' by Mrs Wood (playlisted by BBC Radio 1) in July 1996 and later on 'Take It Or Leave It' (which she co-wrote) by DJ Antoine in 2002. In 2007 she sang the ballad 'Think Twice' on the 'legendary' Ken Hensley's (Uriah Heep) latest album, 'Blood On The Highway', an autobiographical account of his life as a member of one of the worlds greatest rock bands. Eve is about to release new tracks with Missing Link in the US and Europe and is currently writing songs for a new solo album, produced and co-written by her husband Yves Poli and Uli Heinzler. Website.

516
:: MC Kinky :: Inna We Kingdom (High Intensity Aerobics Mix) :: Download

Caron Geary, AKA MC Kinky, is a white female 'raggamuffin toaster' (?!) who cropped up on the musical landscape several times throughout the late 1980's/1990's. She grew up in North London, on a diet of reggae, David Essex, Marc Bolan and Kate Bush. Expelled from sixth-form college, she worked in children's day care centres by day and in nightclubs at night. Her initial foray into music was as a drummer but her love of Bob Marley inspired her to try rambling over music, resulting in her first demo cassette, 'Kinky Reggae'. Her demo was bravely handed to Boy George in a nightclub and she ended up rapping on 'Kipsy', a track on George's 'Tense Nervous Headache' ('High Hat' in the USA) album in 1989, subsequently signing her to his More Protein label. That led to an appearance on the first E-zee Posse single, the Ecstasy anthem 'Everything Starts With An E', which was a big break for her, eventually reaching the top 20 in the UK. The song was originally written as an instrumental by DJ Jeremy Healy (ex-Hayzee Fantayzee), a long time friend of Boy George. George thought it needed a vocal and thought of Kinky right away. When the finished track was delivered to the record company, they requested the rap be removed but George chucked a hissy fit and said that without MC Kinky there was no record. Without Virgin's backing, George decided to finance the first pressing himself, which sold out immediately. DJs started to play the record in clubs regularly, but one, Mr Paul Oakenfold, had to track George down to ask why he wasn't able to find a copy! George allegedly replied, "why don't you ask your girlfriend?". Oakenfold's own girlfriend was working at Virgin Records and was blocking the commercial release of the record. Virgin then started to smell a potential hit and were suddenly keen to release 'Everything Starts With An E'. The first release floundered without radio promotion but a third re-release became a success, hitting number 15 in the UK singles chart and taking Kinky all over the world to promote the song. Virgin finally saw the potential in Kinky and set her to work in the studio where she recorded the solo singles 'Inna We Kingdom' and the excellent 'Get Over It' (video - I wish I could have posted this track but I cannot find it! I don't think this single version was ever released, but watch this space... unless you have it, in which case, email me!). This remix of 'Inna We Kingdom' was featured on the More Protein sampler 'Closet Classic Volume 1' and is the only one of her More Protein tracks that made it onto a CD. Virgin spent a lot of money on studio time and commissioning remixes for Kinky, but both single releases failed to chart. She then made a guest appearance on 'Generations Of Love' by Jesus Loves You, even singing lead vocals at PAs and live performances. A more high profile appearance with Erasure on their number 1 'ABBA-Esque' EP followed, singing on 'Take A Chance On Me' and even making a lengthy appearance in the video. At this point the story goes there was some sort of nasty falling out surrounding royalties between Kinky and George and she wanted out of her deal with More Protein/Virgin Records. While she was in dispute with the label, she released a few white label 12"s ('Roll The Dice', 'Twisting The Mind', 'Won Love') and began using the pseudonym Minnie The Minx. Virgin finally let her go and she inked a deal with EMI's dance/electronica offshoot, Feverpitch (then home to Urban Cookie Collective and Mousse T.), releasing a single called 'Everybody' under the name Kinky. With little interest in the track, however, she quickly left EMI. Kinky continued to record and collaborate with acts such as Natacha Atlas, Towa Tei, Jam & Spoon, Wayward Soul, Storm and Cantankerous, as well as DJ-ing and MC-ing at various events around the world (Twilo, New York, Love Parade '98, Berlin, etc.). More recently, Caron has taken up photography as well... There was a little MC Kinky fansite knocking about not so long ago but it's disappeared now : ( Not to be confused with Kinky Roland whom also worked with Boy George. Everything Starts with a vid.

515
:: Jesus Loves You :: Generations Of Love (Land Of Oz 12" Mix) :: Download

80's pop giants Culture Club had disbanded by late 1986 after several drug charges against lead signer Boy George and a cancelled tour of America. Still battling his heroin addiction and subsequent dependence on prescription narcotics, George had began recording his first solo album, 1987's 'Sold'. George enjoyed several solo hit singles in the UK, including 'Everything I Own' (1), 'Keep Me In Mind' (29), 'To Be Reborn' (13) and the title track (24). Despite UK success, George never really managed to duplicate that success in the United States, probably because he was not able to go to America because of the previous year's drug charges! However, the US-only album 'High Hat', which gathered tracks off subsequent album releases 'Tense Nervous Headache' (Europe, 1988) and 'Boyfriend' (Japan, 1989), provided George with a top 5 R&B Chart hit with the single 'Don't Take My Mind On A Trip', produced by Teddy Riley. In 1989, George formed his own label, More Protein and formed the excellent quasi-religious ambient dance project, Jesus Loves You. Adopting the pseudonym Angela Dust, George wanted to keep the project as anonymous as possible, feeling it's success would be over-shadowed by his own involvement. 'After The Love', a song which deals with the separation of George and his ex-lover, Culture Club drummer Jon Moss, was released as the first Jesus Loves You single. Ironically, the song was also co-written with Moss. Follow-up singles, 'Generations Of Love' and 'One On One', had modest success in the UK but George returned to the UK top 30 courtesy of the song 'Bow Down Mister', influenced by Hare Krishna philosophy. The debut album, 'The Martyr Mantras', appeared in 1991, whilst remixed versions of 'Generations Of Love' and 'After The Love' were re-released as singles. This track is 'Generations Of Love (Land Of Oz 12" Mix)', a blissed-out dance tune, remixed by Paul Oakenfold, which reminds me of house-hunting in the sunshine around Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2005... I recommend Oakenfold's other 'Land Of Oz' mixes, chiefly The Shamen and Frazier Chorus ones. Anyway, in December 1992, a second Jesus Loves You album, entitled 'Popularity Breeds Contempt' (a Crispism) was announced. The lead single, 'Sweet Toxic Love' was released, but Virgin Records was so disappointed with the chart position of the single (65) that the album was never released. Boo! Hiss! The remaining material recorded for the album remains unreleased to this day... Oh, and what artwork! All the More Protein stuff came dressed beautifully. Jesus Loves Videos. Buy 'The Martyr Mantras' here.

514
:: Boy George :: These Boots Are Made For Walkin' :: Download

When he's not road sweeping, keeping young men tied up in his flat against their will or painting his neck black to make his face not look fat, Boy George sometimes makes records! This shamelessly spirited cover version-come-full-on pop-punk-assault on Nancy Sinatra's signature tune was the AA-side of Boy George's 'Il Adore', a single from his 1995 solo album, 'Cheapness And Beauty' (his last for Virgin Records). Despite containing many fan favourites ('Satan's Butterfly Ball', 'If I Could Fly', 'God Don't Hold A Grudge', 'Unfinished Business') this album is generally considered unsuccessful, failing to provide any top 40 hits. Many fans lay blame for this at Virgin's door, saying they failed to promote the album but I always thought the simultaneous release of George's 'Take It Like A Man' autobiography was the issue. Much like Madonna's 'Erotica' album arrived in tandem with her 'SEX' book, the controversy surrounding the book seemed to eclipse the new album and everyone forgot to go out and buy it!  Some of Mr O'Dowd's other moments of brilliance according to my good self are; the Jesus Loves You stuff (stick around!), 'The Crying Game', 'Why Go?' (with Faithless), most of his stuff as The Twin, 'Song For A Boy' (on the free CD that accompanied his book 'Straight'), 'Time Machine' (with Amanda Ghost) and, er, well, there aren't very many more really, are there? Oh, this was alright, too. Next!

513
:: Culture Club :: Shirley Temple Moment :: Download

We now all know that Boy George and Culture Club drummer Jon Moss were shagging about behind the scenes and that the eventual implosion of the group was primarily down to the breakdown of their tumulus relationship. "Our relationship was the band. The music was the soundtrack to the relationship", George himself admits. Looking back now, the band's rise to success perfectly coincided with the bitter decline of their romantic entanglement. This 'track', aptly titled 'Shirley Temple Moment', is taken from the 2003 4CD box set, 'Culture Club' (buy it) and is a fascinating glimpse into the drama and tension that took place away from the cameras. It's basically an aborted recording session from 1983, when the band were recording material for their second album, 'Colour By Numbers'. As they try and rehearse the classic 'Victims' (easily their finest hour), a childish spat breaks out and... well, listen for yourselves! I just love playing this and am so glad they left the tapes rolling. Turn it up to capture the full horror! I'm sure it must have been like this for them 99% of the time behind closed doors. The stress of fame, constant touring and the pressure of trying to stay number 1 in the charts isn't the ideal breeding ground for love... When the romance started to sour, Culture Club lost it's allure and a heartbroken George consoled himself with a lot of drugs. Culture Club went through the motions for a little while longer, but the group was on it's last legs. After Culture Club’s break up, Jon and George didn't see each other for a long time but by 1998, with '80s nostalgia rife, a Culture Club reunion tour brought the pair back together. Briefly patching things up, Jon and George recorded and performed together amicably in the late 1990s, releasing a new best of collection, a new studio album, 'Don't Mind If I Do', and a handful of singles; 'I Just Wanna Be Loved' (#4), 'Your Kisses Are Charity' (#25) and 'Cold Shoulder' (#43). Culture Club also performed a 20th anniversary concert at The Royal Albert Hall in 2002 (buy DVD). George then returned to his DJ-ing career, leaving Culture Club to lie dormant. Then, in 2006, Jon Moss, along with bassist Mikey Craig, tried to launch a new 'reunion' tour with another lead singer after George declined the invitation. A new singer, Sam Butcher, was revealed but George expressed his displeasure in the press with the decision to replace him and the choice of replacement, creating a new rift between Geroge and Jon. A tour was announced for December 2006 in the UK, but after one showcase and one live show, band manager Tony Gordon said that the project was "on hold", while Jon Moss has stated that the project has been shelved indefinitely... Classic Culture Club Clip!

512
:: Marilyn :: You Don't Love Me :: Download

Here's Peter Robinson again, better known as Marilyn, the cross-dressing '80s pop singer who had that hit, 'Calling Your Name', which we posted yonks ago. Marilyn was influenced by the songs of Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Motown and gospel. During his teenage years he began experimenting with his sexuality and image, adopting the blonde hair, make-up and movements of his idol Marilyn Monroe, hence his stage name. Marilyn was a part of the British New Romantic movement of the late 1970s-early 1980s, which also included Boy George. Both George and Marilyn were regulars at 'The Blitz', a highly stylised nightclub in London run by Steve Strange (Visage) and Marilyn befriended George through mutual friend Philip Sallon. They shared a squat in Kentish Town, London before Boy George went on to form Culture Club in 1981 and secure a recording deal with Virgin Records. Culture Club's commercial impact meant record companies were now interested in signing similar cross-dressing stars and Marilyn was desperate to join the ranks of pop's glitterati. He teamed up with songwriter and pop entrepreneur Paul Caplin and together they co-wrote 'Calling Your Name' (video), 'Cry And Be Free' (appearance on 'TOTP'), 'You Don't Love Me' (video) and several other songs which later appeared on Marilyn's debut (and only) album, 'Despite Straight Lines'. Following an appearance in the video for Eurythmics hit single, 'Who's That Girl?', Marilyn was signed to Phonogram Records. 'Calling Your Name' reached number 4 in November 1983 on the UK singles chart. His follow up singles met with varying success but in November 1984, he took part in the Band Aid single project, 'Do They Know It's Christmas?', cementing his place in the pop landscape... although all he seemed to contribute was a bit of pouting. Marilyn's debut album arrived in June 1985, featuring his three previous releases and a new single, 'Baby U Left Me (In The Cold)'. Both were commercial failures and his pop career was all but over. His on-and-off friendship with Boy George had also become increasingly strained due to fame and drug-related problems, with both of them sentenced at Marylebone Magistrates Court on a charge of possessing Heroin. While attempting to record a follow-up album with the record producer Don Was in Detroit, Michigan, with no real record company support, Marilyn was forced to work regular jobs as his finances were so drained. He then retired from the industry until 2001, when he made a series of club appearances. In 2006, Marilyn, looking rather unwell, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary, 'Whatever Happened To The Gender Benders?', in which he discussed his current mental health, his struggle with agoraphobia and his fight against drug abuse... Trivia! I am told there's a good chance his album will make an appearance on CD for the first time later this year (this mp3 is taken from the original vinyl LP). Website.

511
:: The Beatmasters :: Give Me A Reason :: Download

The Beatmasters were a rather successful British writing and production team active in the late '80s/early '90s. Amanda Glanfield and Paul Carter were both veterans of the radio/TV commercial jingle industry and the pair were joined by Richard Walmsley in 1987. They're probably most famous for their single with Betty Boo (or Betty Boop as she was originally credited on the sleeve before copyright issues with the cartoon character of the same name), whom they collaborated with on the smash hit 'Hey DJ (I Can't Dance To The Music You're Playing)' (video). The Beatmasters also crafted top 20 hits in tandem with Cookie Crew ('Rok Da House'), Yazz ('Stand Up For Your Love Rights'), Merlin MC ('Who's In The House?') and P.P. Arnold ('Burn It Up'). They also worked with veteran session vocalists Claudia Fontaine and Elaine Vassell. The trio issued two albums of their own, 1989's 'Anywayawanna' and 1991's 'Life And Soul', as well as remixing material for Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, The Shamen and Marc Almond. They eventually ditched their own recording career in favour of production and remix work. The most recently worked on Helicopter Girl's third album, 'Metropolitan', released in June of this year. 'Give Me A Reason' is from The Beatmasters' second album and features lung-belter Rowetta (she of Happy Mondays and 'The X Factor' fame) on vocals.

510
:: Cookie Crew :: Got To Keep On (12 Inch Version) :: Download

Cookie Crew were a late 80s/early 90s Rap duo from Clapham in South London. MC Remedee (Debbie Pryce) and Susie Q (Susan Banfield) broke away from a 13-strong Rap collective called Warm Milk And The Cookie Crew in 1983 to find their career as a duo a bit more fruitful. In 1985, they won a national Rap championship and recorded two radio sessions for John Peel's radio show, which got them a contract with UK Dance label, Rhythm King (S'Express, Bomb The Bass, Betty Boo). They were plonked in the studio with the production trio The Beatmasters, who helped develop Cookie Crew's sound in a House music direction, resulting in the single 'Rok Da House' (video), released in July 1987. The single flopped at number 78 in the UK singles chart but was a massive hit in clubland, which encouraged a re-release which peaked at number 5 early the following year. The track is often quoted as being the first Hip Hop/House record. Moving labels to FFRR, Cookie Crew scored more hits in 1989 with 'Born This Way (Let's Dance)' (23) and the Edwin Starr-sampling 'Got To Keep On' (17), as well as releasing their debut album, 'Born This Way!', which managed to reach number 24 in the UK album chart. Now working with producers like CJ Mackintosh and Dancin' Danny D, Cookie Crew released a second album in 1991, 'Fade To Black', which featured the single 'Secrets (Of Success)' (53) and 'Love Will Bring Us Back Together', which failed to chart. By 1992, FFRR's parent label London Records were keen to steer the duo towards a more pop-oriented style of Rap but the girls wanted to pursue a more of a orthodox Hip Hop/Rap style. Unable to reach a compromise, they parted company with FFRR and eventually retired from the Rap scene. Debbie and Susie have remained involved with other projects within the music industry, apparently... Trivia! Susan Banfield is the sister of The Pasadenas' singer Andrew Banfield! Watch French & Saunders hilariously sum up the whole female Rap/Hip Hop/House scene of the late '80s here (taken from their third TV series, circa 1989).

509
:: The Wee Papa Girl Rappers :: The Power And The Glory :: Download

Sisters Sandra Lawrence and Timmie Lawrence were The Wee Papa Girl Rappers, the first female British Rap/Hip Hop group to achieve chart success in the UK. Signed to Jive Records, the duo issued their debut single, 'Faith', in 1988, which hit number 60 on the chart. The track was an underground success, featuring sneaky samples of, amongst other things, George Michael's 'Faith'. They managed a more respectable number 21 on the chart with it's follow up, 'Heat It Up', which was one of the first tracks to carry a remix by legendary producer Kevin Saunderson (listen here). Their commercial peak came with their third single, 'Wee Rule' (video), which hit number 6 and came from their first album, 'The Beat, The Rhyme, The Noise'. Their next two singles failed to have the impact of earlier efforts, with 'Soulmate' reaching number 45 and 1989's Jeremy Healy-produced 'Blow The House Down' only hitting number 65. They released a second album in 1990, 'Be Aware' (that's where this track comes from), which saw The Wee Papa's working with the cream of UK House music talent of the time, such as Coldcut, Dancin' Danny D and Clivillés & Cole. They also continued sampling a whole host of classical, funk and soul tracks, sometimes without credit. However, despite strong material they never returned to the top 75 and their last four singles, 'Get In The Groove' (1990), 'The Bump' (1990), 'Best Of My Love' (1991) and 'Wee Are The Girls' (1992) all tanked severely... At the time, and even still to this day, The Wee Papa Girl Rappers are viewed with a certain amount of embarrassment by the British Hip Hop community, chiefly because of their pop-oriented sound. However, as one of the first acts to break through to the mainstream, they brought Rap and Hip Hop music to the attention of a wider audience and greatly helped the establishment of British Hip Hop, helping pave the way for such subsequent, similarly styled, chart-topping acts, like TLC. So there! Pick up their 'Be Aware' album, if you can, to hear what 'Boomania - Part 2' would've sounded like!

508
:: Inner City :: Good Life (Magic Juan's 12'' Mix) :: Download

Tuuuuune! Dance act Inner City were formed in 1987 when Kevin Saunderson, a collage student recording out of his own basement studio, produced a techno track he felt needed a vocal. Saunderson was already earning a name for himself as one of the most influential Detroit producers of the 1980s, known for his contribution to the club scene through his releases as Tronik House, Reese, E-Dancer and Essaray. After Chicago vocalist Paris Grey (Shanna Jackson) was recommended by producer Terry Baldwin, the two collaborated on the single 'Big Fun' (video). It was released in late 1988 on the popular compilation, 'Techno: The New Dance Sound Of Detroit', released by Virgin Records and went on to a surprise crossover hit on the British singles chart. Signed to Virgin's Ten label soon after, Saunderson and Grey had another hit on their hands later that same year with the top 10 single, 'Good Life' (video - featured here in it's classic 12" mix!). Their debut album, 'Paradise', reached the UK top 20 and it's companion remix album, 'Paradise Remixed', followed in 1990. Later singles, 'Ain't Nobody Better', 'Watcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'' and 'That Man (He's Mine)', filled the dance floors around the world, but did less well in the UK charts. Inner City's second album, 'Fire', wasn't as successful either, partly because Virgin had pressured the group into becoming an American version of Soul II Soul and a hybrid of jazz, swing beat and soul had been introduced to their overall sound. Inner City returned to the charts with the addition of Ann Saunderson, Kevin's wife, on vocals in the 1990's, releasing their third album, 'Praise', and the successful singles 'Pennies From Heaven' (video) and 'Hallelujah '92'. The group then went on a hiatus, as Saunderson returned to his more experimental roots with The Reese Project. 'Good Life' and 'Big Fun' remain ever-popular dance tracks, with a regular supply of re-issues, remixes, bootlegs and compilation appearances doing the rounds each year... Buy 'Good Life - The Best Of Inner City' here for about £3.

507
:: Ruth Joy :: Give Me Your Love :: Download

Krush vocalist Ruth Joy went solo in 1989 with her first single for MCA Records, 'Don't Push It'. The track was produced by dance legend Mantronix and reached 66 in the UK singles chart. She followed this up later the same year with her self-produced single, 'Soul Power', which failed to chart. It wasn't until 1991 that Ruth released a third single, 'Feel', a club hit in Europe that reached number 67 and later still, her only album, 1992's 'Pride And Joy'. Ruth's 11 track album is almost a compilation, featuring her two 1989 singles, one B-Side, her 1991 single, an instrumental and six new tracks. Of the new material, the poppy 'Fool's Paradise' is produced by Whole Hog Productions, who also worked with Dannii Minogue around this time, and 'War', which sees Ruth pair up with reggae outfit Aswad. We also have three classic Carl McIntosh produced tracks; 'Question Of Time', 'Remind Me' and 'You Bring Me Joy'. After the lack of interest in her solo offerings, Ruth returned to Krush for a second and final single... 'Give Me Your Love' is a second Mantronix production and was originally the B-Side to 'Don't Push It' (where it was called 'Gimme Your Love'). Trivia! As is widely misreported, Ruth Joy is not Ann Saunderson, wife of producer Kevin Saunderson of Inner City fame. Ann is also a UK vocalist and was involved in the House and Soul music scene in the late 80s/early 90s, for a time using the alias Karen Joy. This would appear to be where the confusion has come from, with many sites (Wikipedia, Youtube, etc.) incorrectly recognising Ruth Joy and Karen Joy as the same artist!

506
:: Krush :: House Arrest (The Beat Is The Law) :: Download

Pretty much a one hit wonder, Krush were a house music outfit who had a big dance hit with 'House Arrest' (video), which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in December 1987. The group consisted of vocalist Ruth Joy (Ruth Oram) and musicians/DJs Mark Gamble and Cassius Campbell. 'House Arrest' (featured here in 12" remix form) was released by Mercury Records and produced by Mark Brydon (later one half of Moloko) and Robert Gordon. The track is considered a pioneering example of 1980s British house music, along side classics by Bomb The Bass and S'Express. Their second (and final) single, 'Walking On Sunshine' on Network Records, didn't appear until 1992 and despite being a club hit, it only reached number 71 on the chart. The four year gap was almost certainly due to Ruth Joy's solo activities between 1988-1992. She also appeared on another house music release, Love Street's excellent 'Galaxy', in July 1988 and contributed backing vocals to other artists recordings during this period, including Yazz and US popstar, Stacey Q.

505
:: Stacey Q :: Incognito :: Download

'Incognito' is from 'Nights Like This', the brilliant third album by American dance-pop artist Stacey Q (real name Stacey Swain). Stacey's career as a recording artist began in 1981, when she met producer, future manager and long time collaborator Jon St. James. They formed the synth-pop outfit Q, quickly morphing into SSQ when famed producer Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson) claimed to own the copyright to the use of the moniker 'Q'. As they began to pick up acclaim and airplay, Stacey became the focal point of the group and so they began working under the name of Stacey Q, with St. James working behind the scenes. Strong-selling independent singles got Stacey Q signed to major label Atlantic and her debut album, 'Better Than Heaven' was a hit (achieving gold status), thanks largely to the million-selling chart hit, 'Two Of Hearts' (video). This is Stacey Q's  best known release and signature tune to this day. 'Two Of Hearts' has recently been recorded by Annie, produced by Richard X, for her forthcoming second album and also, Kelly Osbourne had a crack at it on the Japan edition of her 'Sleeping In The Nothing' album from 2005 (listen here). Next, she spent time touring and acting throughout 1986-87, but returned with a new album, 'Hard Machine', in 1988. Not as successful as her debut, although considered a stronger set of songs by the critics, it's lukewarm reception can perhaps be attributed to her new image. She had dyed her hair from blonde to red and opted for punk/rock chick influenced fashions, rather than the bubbly, cute blond persona she had presented previously. 'Nights Like This' was quickly recorded and issued in 1989 and although performing much the same as the previous album, it remains her most consistent and polished release.  Clivillés And Cole (C+C Music Factory) co-wrote many of the tracks and it sounds not a million miles away from Kylie's sex-pop, 'Rhythm Of Love'-era recordings. Oh, and the backing vocals were provided by Jocelyn Brown and a Weather Girl! Leaving Atlantic in 1990, it was not until 1997 when Stacey Q returned with a fourth album, 'Boomerang', which was influenced by folk music and her conversion to Buddhism... oh dear. Trivia! Stacey's vocals appeared on 'American Dream', the 2001 single by Jakatta (the one that samples the 'American Beauty' film)! Gosh! Website.

504
:: Steven Dante :: Imagination :: Download

Steven Barrington Dennis, AKA Steven Dante, is a UK soul singer, most active in the 1980s, who was prone to combining Rastafarian dreadlocks with shoulder pads and sharp suits. Signed to Chrysalis Records, he released 'So Long', his soulful synth-pop debut single, in 1985. Failing to chart, Dante was moved onto Chrysalis' urban subsidiary, Cooltempo, where he released two more singles, 'Give It Up For Love' in 1986 and 'Why Can't You Sit Still?' (produced by Full Force) in 1987. Still without success, he had the good fortune to be offered a showcase slot on John 'Jellybean' Benitez 1987 album, 'Just Visiting This Planet' (along with fellow unknowns Adele Bertei and Elisa Fiorillo). Of the two contributions Dante made, 'The Real Thing' became a hit single in 1987, reaching number 13 in the UK singles chart. Here's a clip of Steven performing with Jellybean live on TV (sorry, not sure which show this is taken from). Now with  a hit under his belt and plenty of media exposure, Dante released a new solo single, 'I'm Too Scared', in 1988. The single made the UK top 40 (just), hitting number 34 and a debut album, 'Find Out', was released shortly after. A slick set of soulful pop songs, 'Find Out' features production credits from Clivillés And Cole (C+C Music Factory), Dancing Danny D (D:Mob) and Jellybean (both 'The Real Thing' and a new collaboration appear) but his first three singles are left off. Dante also recorded an unusual cover of Japan's 'Ghosts', which closes the album. The 'Find Out' CD had three bonus tracks BTW, but CD copies are pretty hard to come by. I got one a while back for about £4. Further singles were lifted from the album; 'Imagination' in 1988 and 'Love Follows' in 1989, but both failed to chart. In the 1990's, Dante appeared on several recordings by other artists, such as Danny D Presents D:Mob's 'One Day' single (1994), Shara Nelson's 'Friendly Fire' album (1995), Lighthouse Family's 'Ocean Drive' album (1995) and he sang a duet with Juliet Roberts on the 1997 single, 'Never Had A Love Like This Before'. He remains active in the music scene as a songwriter today and is currently signed to Sony Publishing in New York.

503
:: Elisa Fiorillo :: You Don't Know :: Download

Elisa Fiorillo was a US 80s teen pop singer in the same ilk as Debbie Gibsion, Tiffany and Alanis, albeit with less success. She had won the 1983 'Star Search' talent show at the age of 16 and was signed to Chrysalis Records in 1987 and began work on her first album. Her first release was a track called 'Jackie', which she contributed to the 'Summer School' movie soundtrack. This caught the eye of one John 'Jellybean' Benitez who approached Elisa to provide lead vocals on two songs on his 1987 album, 'Just Visiting This Planet'. One of the songs, 'Who Found Who' (video), was a worldwide hit, reaching the top 10 in the UK. Capitalizing on the exposure, Elisa released her self-titled debut album worldwide and a couple of singles to promote it; 'How Can I Forget You?' and 'Forgive Me For Dreaming'. Both singles only managed to scrape into the lower reaches of the singles charts on both sides of the Atlantic. 'You Don't Know' is the best track on the 'Elisa Fiorillo' album and was nearly a single too, I think, as promo copies were produced. Not quite a roaring success then... After a chance meeting in a recording studio, Elisa then turned up singing backing vocals for Prince on his 'Batman' and 'Graffiti Bridge' soundtracks in 1989 and 1990 respectfully. She also found time to record a second solo album in 1990, called 'I Am'. The album was co-produced with David Z (Fine Young Cannibals, Jody Watley, The Jets) and was recorded at Prince's Paisley Park recording studio. Several songs from the album were produced and written by Prince himself and she had a top 30 hit in the US in 1990 with 'On The Way Up' (which stiffed in the UK at 83). Elisa Fiorillo also appeared on backing vocals again on Prince's 1991 album, 'Diamonds And Pearls'. She continued to perform backing vocals for other artists, both in the studio and live, throughout the 1990s, including Savage Garden, Belinda Carlisle and Billie Myers, among others. Elisa also turned to singing TV jingles, doing voiceover work and directing TV shows before returning to music. She released two further albums, 2002's 'Teach Me Tonight' and 2007's 'Labour Of Love'. Her later recordings are more jazz-orientated, however... website.

502
:: Tiffany :: The Heart Of Love :: Download

Last time I wrote about Tiffany (210) I described her as "Stevie Nicks-meets-Chipmunk in a cashmere sweater factory". Sorry 'bout that, Tiff. After her debut album had quickly propelled Tiffany to international stardom, her career suffered as musical tastes changed towards the end of the 1980s. In late 1988, her second album, 'Hold An Old Friend's Hand' didn't do as well as her debut and it didn't provide any number one hits, although one song, 'Radio Romance', did make it to number 13 in the UK. Tiffany tried to move with the times on her third album, 1990's urban-influenced 'New Inside' (produced by Maurice Starr), but no one was interested in a sultry, grown up Tiffany. It failed to make the charts at all and she never regained her teen-appeal popularity. During the wilderness years, she's recorded several 'come back' albums and even posed nude for 'Playboy' magazine (just like her old pop rival, Debbie Gibson). In April 2005, Tiffany was featured on the TV show 'Hit Me Baby One More Time', winning the first heat and subsequently securing a place in the show's final. She performed Girls Aloud's  'Love Machine' (video), along with her debut hit. So, here's another of 80s teen sensation Tiffany's rocking B-sides. 'The Heart Of Love' was on the B-side of 'Could've Been', her 3rd UK single which reached number 4 on the singles chart. Trivia! 'I Think We're Alone Now' was originally recorded by Tommy James & The Shondells and aside from Tiffany, has also been covered by The Monkees, The Rubinoos, Lene Lovich, The Click Five, The Pipettes and Girls Aloud. More trivia! During a tour with New Kids On The Block, Tiffany briefly dated Jonathan Knight, but the relationship was short-lived due to touring difficulties. Awww. TiffSpace.

501
:: New Kids On The Block :: What'cha Gonna Do (About It) :: Download

New Kids On The Block were assembled in Boston in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The members were brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Mark bailed out early on and was eventually replaced with Joey McIntyre and the five kids went on to sell over 70 million albums worldwide, generated hundreds of millions of dollars in concert revenues and paved the way for acts like Backstreet Boys, Take That and *NSYNC. In April 1986, they released their self-titled debut album, almost exclusively written and produced by Maurice Starr, which featured bubblegum pop material. The single's lifted from the LP, 'Be My Girl' and 'Stop It Girl', tanked despite constant touring around the states. Nevertheless, Starr persuaded the label to allow the group to record a second album, 'Hangin' Tough'. Tired with their clean, cheesy image and sound, Donnie, Danny and Jordan had more input on the follow up, receiving associate producer credits on the finished product. New Kids On The Block's second album was released in September and the group began making national TV appearances on such music programs as 'American Bandstand', 'Showtime At The Apollo' and 'Soul Train'. They later landed a slot as an opening act for teen-pop act Tiffany on the US leg of her tour. Sales of 'Hangin' Tough' steadily increased as the group's national attention slowly rose. At the end of the year, the album's second single, 'You Got It (The Right Stuff)', was released. The song was given a huge boost when MTV took notice of the group and by early 1989, it cracked the top 5. Their next single, 'I'll Be Loving You (Forever)', reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart in June and their sudden rise in popularity saw them eclipse Tiffany as she ended up opening for them on their own tour this time! More top 5 singles came, 'Hangin' Tough' and 'Cover Girl', and Columbia Records also released 'Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)', a track taken from the group's floptastic debut album. The song went top 10 and jump-started the sales of that album as well. By the end of 1989, 'Hangin' Tough' had climbed to number 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and had gone eight-times platinum. They subsequently became the first pop act to garner five top 10 hits from a single album. Meanwhile, a top 10 seasonal album, 'Merry, Merry Christmas', was released in the fall, spawning another top 10 hit, 'This One's For The Children', with proceeds going to United Cerebral Palsy, the New Kids' favourite charitable cause. By early 1990, New Kids On The Block had become one of the most popular acts in the world. The following May, they released 'Step By Step', which featured more than half of the songs co-written and produced by the boys themselves. The title track became their biggest selling single and was followed with the top 10 hit, 'Tonight' (video), extending their consecutive top 10 singles chart run to an impressive nine records. The album was eventually certified triple platinum, selling close to 20 million copies worldwide. They undertook an extravagant worldwide tour that summer sponsored by Coke and a special on cable TV became the biggest selling pay-per-view show in history at the time. During this period, the group became heavily merchandised with over 140 products that were licensed with New Kids On The Block trademarks. These included lunchboxes, sleeping bags, pillow cases, T-shirts, comic books, dolls and even a cartoon in their likeness, which ran on ABC from 1990-91. A video game based on the group was also developed but never released. The group topped the list of highest paid entertainers of 1990, beating the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna. Further capitalizing on their popularity, Columbia released 'No More Games - The Remix Album' at the year's end, remixing their hits into a more rap/hip-hop style to keep up with the times and their quickly growing up fans. It was at this point that they started using the trendier name NKOTB, too. By 1991, the group had become very over-exposed and a public and commercial backlash started develop. Sensing that it was time to give the American market a break, the group released no new material that year, but they began to notice that their popularity had waned as gangsta rap and grunge become popular. The group went into hibernation to plot their next move... The group split from Starr and they attempted to make a comeback in January 1994 with 'Face The Music'. The album was not a commercial success and the group's final single to chart was 'Dirty Dawg'. NKOTB went on tour to support the album, but were forced to play smaller venues such as clubs and theatres, as opposed to the arenas and stadiums they had become accustomed to. Jonathan Knight, meanwhile, departed the tour early after suffering panic attacks and anxiety and a cover story suggesting that he had fallen off his horse and injured his back was fed to the media. Shortly thereafter, the remaining four decided to cancel the rest of the tour and the group disbanded altogether in June 1994. They officially reunited in April 2008 and are now planning a new album and an international tour in the autumn. 'Whatcha Gonna Do (About It)' is my favourite track from 'Hangin' Tough'... Check out how they've aged on their official website here!