Toni Basil - Toni Basil

*REPOST*

From 1983, this is Toni Basil's self-titled second album. It featured the singles "Over My Head" (US #81), "Street Beat" (US #82) and "Suspense". Sadly she didn't seem able to obtain the success that she had found with "Mickey" the year before. Despite its lack of success though, it really is a great 80's pop album and well worth a listen.

Later in the 1980s, a new track "Girls Night Out" made an appearance on the soundtrack to the 1986 film "Modern Girls", and in 1990 she performed "The Night" in the movie "Rockula". To date though, Toni Basil hasn't released any further albums.

TRACKLISTING:

Over My Head
I Don't Hear You
Easy For You To Say
Suspense
Go For The Burn
Space Walkin' The Dog
Street Beat
Do You Wanna Dance
Best Performance



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

*Thanks to Steve for providing this album.

Toni Basil - Word Of Mouth

*REPOST*

From 1982, this was the debut album from American musician, video artist, actress and choreographer Toni Basil. It featured the smash-hit single "Mickey" (#1 in the US, #2 in the UK), as well as the follow-up singles "Nobody" (#52 in the UK) and "Shoppin' From A To Z" (#77 in the US).

"Mickey" was such a huge hit for the singer, and she never seemed able to match its success. Despite not being a massive success, "Word Of Mouth" is a good solid pop album.

TRACKLISTING:

Mickey
Rock On
Shoppin' From A To Z
You Gotta Problem
Be Stiff
Nobody
Little Red Book
Space Girls
Thief On The Loose
Time After Time



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

*Thanks to Steve for providing this album.

Petula Clark - Downtown '88

Petula Clark made a surprise return to the pop charts in 1988, with this remix of her 1964 hit "Downtown". The original version had reached #2 in the UK and #1 in the US, where it was classified a GOLD single.

The 1988 version was remixed by Peter Slaghuis, on behalf of DMC. It peaked at #10 in the UK charts and was also a massive dance hit throughout Europe.

TRACKLISTING:

Downtown '88 (Single Version)
Downtown '88 (Extended Version)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Cathy Dennis - Irresistible

From 1992, this was the second single released from Cathy Dennis's "Into The Skyline" album. In the UK the song was used in an advertisement for Sky TV, but despite this fairly high profile usage it didn't fair to well in the charts, peaking at #24. In the US the song peaked at #61.

The song was different in style to her previous more dance-style singles, but it did feature club remixes from Shadowzone and also Dancin' Danny D of D-Mob fame.

TRACKLISTING:

Irresistible
Irresistible (Xtended Mix)
Irresistible (Shadowzone Club Mix)
Irresistible (Shadowzone Dub Mix)
Irresistible (Dan's Monstrous Club Mix)
Irresistible (Dan's Monotonous Dub Mix)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman - Kinky Boots

This novelty record was originally released in 1964 as a result of the successful TV show "The Avengers" which starred both Macnee & Blackman. The song was commissioned by Ned Sherrin for "That Was The Week That Was", but unfortunately wasn't a hit.

The song was re-released in 1990, mainly due to promotion by Radio 1 DJ Simon Mayo, and it managed to reach #5 in the UK charts. The b-side of the single was another duet by Macnee & Blackman called "Let's Keep It Friendly". The 12 Inch vinyl release had a remix of "Kinky Boots" by the Avenging Posse, and also a solo Honor Blackman track called "I Wish I'd Never Loved You".

TRACKLISTING:

Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots (Avenging Posse Remix)
Let's Keep It Friendly
I Wish I'd Never Loved You



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Faith, Hope and Charity - Growing Pains

A request from me here. Does anyone have the Extended Mixes of "Growing Pains", and also "Battle Of The Sexes" 7" & 12" mixes. If so then please do contact me.

From 1990, "Growing Pains" was the 2nd single from short-lived girl group Faith, Hope & Charity. They had had a moderate hit a few months before, in June of that year with "Battle Of The Sexes" which had peaked at #53 in the UK charts.

The follow-up, "Growing Pains" was remixed by Shep Pettibone for its release. The track failed miserably though, peaking at #99 in September 1990. No further songs were released by the group, and they split soon after.

A notable member of Faith, Hope & Charity was Dani Behr, who would later become a successful television presenter in the UK.

TRACKLISTING:

Growing Pains (Pettibone Remix)
Growing Pains (Pettibone Dub Mix)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Belle And The Devotions - Love Games

Belle and the Devotions was a UK pop music group, ostensibly a group name for the singer Kit Rolfe. Under this name she released the single "Where Did Love Go Wrong?" in 1983.

In 1984, two other members, Laura James and Linda Sofeld were added to the group in order to participate in the UK heats of the Eurovision Song Contest, A Song For Europe 1984. "Love Games", written by Paul Curtis and Graham Sacher proved to be an easy winner and represented the UK at the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg.

The song finished in seventh place and reached number 11 in the UK charts. The group followed up this single with "All The Way Up", released in June 1984. It failed to chart and the threesome split up soon after.

TRACKLISTING:

Love Games
Love Games (Extended Version)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

*Thanks to Marcel for the Extended Version.
Check out his blog at http://musiconvinyl.blogspot.com/

Sheena Easton - Giving Up Giving In

*REPOST*

From 2001, this was a cover version of The Three Degrees 1978 hit "Giving Up Giving In" and was taken from Sheena Easton's "Fabulous" album. Seen as Sheena's big chance for a come-back, "Fabulous" was an album of classic disco covers produced by Ian Masterson and Terry Ronald of Trouser Enthusiasts fame. Unfortunately "Giving Up Giving In" wasn't as huge a hit as had been hoped, peaking at #78 in Australia, #54 in the UK, #43 in Germany, #18 in Spain and #13 in Belgium.

In Japan, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was released as the first single from "Fabulous". A second single and video was a cover of Donna Summer's hit "Love Is In Control" and released by promotion only, but was withdrawn.

TRACKLISTING:

Giving Up Giving In (Radio Edit)
Giving Up Giving In (Joey Negro Club Mix)
Giving Up Giving In (Sleaze Sisters Club Mix)
Giving Up Giving In (Sharp Vocal Mix)
Giving Up Giving In (Ghost Remix)
Giving Up Giving In (Rodox Dub)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Pepsi and Shirlie - Someday

From 1991, this was the first and only single released from Pepsi & Shirlie's 2nd album "Changes". The track was co-written with George Michael, and his vocals also featured on the track. Despite this high profile collaboration the track failed to chart in the UK.

TRACKLISTING:

Someday (7" Mix)
Someday (DEF Mix)
Someday (Fundamental Mix)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

The Three Degrees - Liar

** REPOST **

This fantastic pop tune was released on The Three Degrees own record label "3D Records". Sadly the song was not a hit, and peaked at #97 in the UK charts in January of 1984. The b-side was "Hamba Gashlé". The group had a hit the following year in 1985, with the Stock Aitken Waterman penned "The Heaven I Need".

TRACKLISTING:

Liar (You've Been Cheating On Me)
Hambla Gashlé



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Yes Mommie Dearest

Anyone who knows the movie "Mommie Dearest" will undoubtedly be familiar with some of its memorable lines. This dance track is filled with samples of them, from "When you polish the floor you have to MOVE the tree" to the classic "NO WIRE HANGERS!!!!".

I have absolutely NO idea who created this track, so if you know then please do enlighten me. The Edit, and the accompanying video, are my own creation. Yeah maybe it's not a Pop Gem, but it sure is fun!

TRACKLISTING:

Yes Mommie Dearest (Pepsi Cola Vision Edit)
Yes Mommie Dearest (Pepsi Cola Vision Mix)
Yes Mommie Dearest (Diet Pepsi Vision Dub)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Samantha Fox - Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)

From 1988, this was the 5th single taken from Samantha Fox's second album "Samantha Fox". For its release the Single Edit had the line "used to be so good and so bad, sex was something I just had" removed from it. For those familiar with the track and playing the edit on a record player, it sound as if the record has jumped!

The track performed well in America reaching #3 in the charts but not so great elsewhere. It peaked at #66 in Australia, #31 in the UK, #21 in Germany and #8 in Canada.

In 2005 Samantha Fox re-recorded the track with Solar City.

TRACKLISTING:

Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Album Version)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Single Edit)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Extended Version)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Full Force Naughty House Mix)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Ultimix)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Solar City Edit)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Solar City Vocal Club Mix)
Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (Gay Happening 2006 Mix)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Five Star - I Give You Give

From 1995, this was the second single released from Five Star's "Heart & Soul" album, and was their last official new UK single for more than five years without the help of any record labels, except their own, Tent Records Inc. It was not a successful chart hit, peaking at #86 in the UK.

The single was released in three different colour sleeves: Blue, Orange and White. The video features four members of the band dancing in yellow high visibility jackets. Lead singer Denise was unable to dance, as she was pregnant with her first child.

TRACKLISTING:

I Give You Give (Radio Edit Remix)
I Give You Give (Radio Edit)
I Give You Give (Extended Club Mix)
I Give You Give (Fat Mix)
I Give You Give (Swung Out Mix)
I Give You Give (Radio Edit Remix #2)
I Give You Give (Extended Remix)
I Give You Give (Tuff Mix)
I Give You Give (Swung Out Radio)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

*This video is from a Daytime TV performance of the track.

Tina Turner - Disco Inferno

From 1993, this was a cover version of 1977 hit by The Trammps. Tina's version peaked at #12 in the UK charts and was taken from the soundtrack to the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It" which was about Tina Turner's rise to stardom. For its release the song was given a 12 Inch remix from The Beatmasters.

TRACKLISTING:

Disco Inferno (Album Version)
Disco Inferno (12" Version)
Disco Inferno (12" Dub)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Samantha Mumba - Gotta Tell You

From 2000, this was the debut single from singer & actress Samantha Mumba. Mumba was discovered on a TV talent show "Let Me Entertain You" by Irish music Svengali Louis Walsh (manager of Boyzone and Westlife). Walsh was impressed by her talent and she was signed to Polydor Records.

"Gotta Tell You", reached #1 in the Irish charts. It later reached #2 in the British charts. Mumba also had success in the USA, with the song peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The track was re-released in 2008 as a club collaboration Micky Modelle vs Samantha Mumba.

TRACKLISTING:

Gotta Tell You (Single Version)
Gotta Tell You (Sleaze Sisters Mix)
Gotta Tell You (Basstoy Mix)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Dannii Minogue - Love And Kisses

"Love And Kisses" was Dannii Minogue's debut single, released in February 1990 in Australia. The track peaked at #4 in the Australian charts and remained on the singles chart for 15 weeks.

For its UK release the track was remixed by Dancin' Danny D of D-Mob, transforming the song from it's original sound and giving it a much more dance/club feel. In the UK charts the song peaked at #8. In Ireland it reached #22, and in Japan it reached #14.

TRACKLISTING:

Love And Kisses (Single Remix)
Love And Kisses (12" Remix)
Love And Kisses (Acapella)
Love And Kisses (Original Mix)
Love And Kisses (Original Instrumental)



PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com