The Top 40 Leaderboard: May 2022

Early leader Central Cee remains top though he hasn't added to his total for a while. Kendrick Lemar had 4 Top 50 hits in the last month which puts him 2nd. A bunch of people on 3, whilst Drake has finally made it onto the board and now has 71 Top 40 hits to his name, just Elvis, Cliff and Elton John can claim to have more.

There's been a few rap hits this last month and now accounts for 43 of the 91 Top 40 hits so far this year or 47%.

25 Years Since....May 1997

In May 1997 I was most likely to be listening to a Helter Skelter tape. There were still a few chart records I liked though:

Propellerheads - Spybreak!

This record only just scraped into the Top 40. The Propellerheards were certainly much bigger than their Top 40 performance though.

I'll be honest I was a bit of a reluctant fan at the time due to it being commercial and potentially appealing to rock fans. I had to admit it was a great record though.

Smoke City - Underwater Love

After the previous years disappointment of hearing the full version of "Spaceman" having initially liked it from the Levi's advert I was more cautious with this years effort.

Fortunately I wasn't disappointed with this one. I'm sure I'd acknowledged by this point there was room in my life for chill out music amongst the hard and fast dance music I was listening to at the time. This one definitely fitted that.

Olive - You're Not Alone

A chart topping record by a former member of Simply Red was exactly the sort of thing I didn't want to be listening to at the time. I really didn't want to like this record, but I couldn't help but like it.

The only bad thing I have to say about this record is that it was perhaps a bit overplayed at the time. Other than that I love everything about it.

Strike - I Have Peace

Yes this is the same Strike who did "U Sure Do" a couple of years earlier. It was their final hit and a change in direction compared to their previous effort.

It's also really a bridge to the next phase of it's members careers with Freestylers and Plump DJs.

Double 99 - RIP Groove

This was one of the best known records from the speed garage era. It was a bit of a silly name really because it wasn't very fast. Maybe it was an indication of how quickly it would come and go as a genre.

A memory I have of this record is it coming on the radio one day and someone asking me whether it was by Pete Tong.

UK Number 40s: Genesis - Tell Me Why (1993)

 

Back in the 70s there were a number of bands who would have a huge following but have little to no presence in the Top 40. One of these bands was Genesis. To put that into perspective, in 1976 when they released their 8th album they only had 1 minor Top 40 hit to their name.

Despite them not being a chart band in their early years, they would go on to have 21 Top 40 hits over a 23 year period. This was hit number 20.

As a band they had been going for over 25 years by this point. That alone is a reason to struggle to get into the Top 40. However, the most logical reason for this only making number 40 is that it was take from the "We Can't Dance" album which had been released in 1991 and had topped the album chart. Therefore most people who were likely to buy this would have already had it on the album.

It would be the final Genesis single to feature Phil Collins. He left the band in 1996 and was replaced by Ray Wilson and had their final Top 40 hit to date in 1997 with "Congo".

Top 30 in 1992 Reviewed: Week 22

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1992 with my verdict on each record:

30. Michael Ball - One Step Out Of Time

This was the UKs Eurovision entry that year. The only previous Top 40 effort for Michael Ball had been "Love Changes Everything". What struck me about Eurovision when I first encountered it was how old fashioned the music all seemed. Picking someone known for musicals to represent the UK just strengthened that perception. The song itself sounds like something I could imagine Gary Barlow singing, which isn't a good thing.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Benny Hill - Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) (New)

This was the Christmas number one in 1971 which was charting again a month or so after Benny Hill's death. He actually re-recorded the song for his best of album shortly before he died. It's a novelty record by a comedian and as a result it's a terrible song, but that's the point.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Kingmaker - Eat Yourself Whole

This was the joint highest charting single for Kingmaker and probably the first song that springs to mind when they're mentioned. It's not a bad record but lacks that certain something to make it a good record.

Verdict - OK

27. L7 - Everglade (New)

L7 as probably best remembered for their performance on The Word rather than any actual music. In terms of music though they're best known for "Pretend We're Dead", but they actually had 4 Top 40 hits and this was the second. It's a pretty forgettable song really, just noisy guitars and not much else.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Mr Big - Just Take My Heart (New)

Proof that Mr Big weren't one hit wonders. This was their follow up to "To Be With You" and is their final Top 40 hit to date. I was a big fan of "To Be With You" but I have no memory of this one. It's another ballad so one for the mainstream rather than the rock fans. I can't help but think if I'd heard this in 1992 then I'd like it, but I find it pretty average.

Verdict - OK

25. Ten Sharp - You

I'm a big fan of Dutch music of the 90s in general. The trouble I have with this record though is that it doesn't sound very Dutch or very 90s for that matter. By my reckoning this is the only Top 40 hit of the 90s by a Dutch act that is neither dance music or a novelty record. That doesn't make it a bad record though

Verdict - Good

24. Cud - Rich And Strange (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for Cud who are a band I've no recollection of at the time. They were an indie band who had quite a few non-charting singles and have had 3 Top 40 singles to date. Nothing stands out to me about this record, but it's alright I guess.

Verdict - OK

23. Curtis Stigers - You're All That Matters To Me

For some reason I associate Curtis Stigers with late 1992 instead of early 1992 which he had his two big hits, this being the second. It's not that it took me a while to discover him as I remember him appearing on Top of the Pops. The nostalgia factor means that I do quite like this record.

Verdict - Good

22. The Future Sound Of London - Papua New Guinea

This was the Top 40 debut for The Future Sound Of London, though member Brian Dougans had previous had a Top 40 hit as Humanoid. It's also their best known record and is probably my favourite record of theirs too. It's got that blend of music you can both dance and chill out to.

Verdict - Good

21. Right Said Fred - Deeply Dippy

I remember getting really annoyed that this record made number one and Mr Big hadn't. I absolutely hated this record as a result of that. However I've not really cared how the records I like do in the charts for the bulk of the last 30 years and I still think this record is crap and would have still thought that if Mr Big got to number one instead.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Marillion - Sympathy

Progressive rock has come full circle with this record. The original version by Rare Bird was one of the first progressive rock records to make the Top 40 and here are second wave progressive rockers Marillion doing a cover. I do think the original is better, but this is a decent cover.

Verdict - Good

19. Wilson Phillips - You Won't See Me Cry

Wilson Phillips are seen by many as being one hit wonders in the UK but they had a trio of number ones in America. By 1992 though it would seem even their popularity in America was in decline. This was their 2nd highest charting single in the UK and the only one to chart higher in the UK than America. Can't say I think much of it, a bit boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

18. Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this record as I couldn't remember how it went. I definitely know it after listening though. It's a British R&B record that's written by Don-E himself and could easily pass as an American one which is a good thing.

Verdict - Good

17. Del Amitri - Always The Last To Know

Del Amitri had 3 hits in the Billboard 100 and this was one of them. It was their 4th UK Top 40 hit and lead single from their "Change Everything" album. It's not a bad record but is a bit generic.

Verdict - OK

16. Celine Dion And Peabo Bryson - Beauty And The Beast

When Celine Dion did her cover of "The Power Of Love" in 1994 I assumed she was making her Top 40 debut. Turns out she did this song a couple of years earlier with Peabo Bryson. It's from the film of the same name. I do question why cartoon films have to have such depressing songs to accompany them.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Bassheads - Back To The Old School (New)

In the early days of the internet a site about rave music was named after this tune. It would have clips of old rave tunes but they had the first few second of this tune on them first. When I think of old skool rave the year 1992 is the first that springs to mind so it's a bit odd having a tune from 1992 called "Back To The Old School". The rave scene had been going for a few years by this point though. What we have here is an at the time modern rave record with influences of 80s acid house in it and it works pretty well.

Verdict - Good

14. Levellers - 15 Years (EP)

This was the Top 40 debut for the Levellers and their highest charting single to date. Surprisingly "One Way" never made the Top 40 when first released. This was probably the point where lots of people I knew were getting into the Levellers. I kept changing my mind about them around the time but I certainly appreciate their music a lot more now.

Verdict - Good

13. 2 Unlimited - Workaholic

As a rule I find it more difficult to identify a tune by the intro than by the chorus. With this record though it's the opposite. The intro with chimes from the clock is how I remember it, the rest of it is forgettable eurodance cheese.

Verdict - Rubbish

12. Curiosity - Hang On In There Baby

After 3 years away from the Top 40, Curiosity Killed the Cat were back with a shortened name and their final Top 40 hit to date. It seems a few 80s acts were having low charting and long forgotten 90s hits around this time, but this one made number 3. It's not for me though.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. Ce Ce Peniston - Keep On Walkin'

Ce Ce Penitston is known for one song but despite this she managed to score 3 Top 10 hits. This is the 3rd of them and it's a move away from dance music. It was written by Steve "Silk" Hurley, but this just suggests to me he should stick to dance music as this is pretty bland.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Richard Marx - Hazard

My memory of this record is going on holiday around this time to the same place I went when the other big Richard Marx hit "Right Here Waiting" was in the charts. I like the record at the time without paying too much attention to the lyrics. Aside from the mystery behind the story I think it also highlights how judgmental some rural communities can be.

Verdict - Good

9. Shakespear's Sister - I Don't Care

After they spent a long time at number one with "Stay" Shakespear's Sister followed up with this. I do remember this annoying me at the time, but as it's long forgotten I don't think I've heard it for 30 years. Listening to it now reminds me of how I found it irritating, here's hoping I won't hear it for another 30 years at least.

Verdict - Rubbish

8. The Cure - Friday I'm In Love (New)

I always feel this record should have been earlier than 1992 for some reason. When I think what else was going on around the time of this record though it makes perfect sense for it to be 1992. It's always been on of those records I've found to be ok but nothing more.

Verdict - OK

7. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip

I loved this record at the time and still do now. The odd thing is that this was before the scene split into happy hardcore and jungle and this sounds like it's gearing towards what would become jungle yet Slipmatt of SL2 would become one of the pioneers of happy hardcore. The only downside is that after "On A Ragga Tip 97" came out which was faster, it makes this record sound a bit slow.

Verdict - Good

6. En Vogue - My Lovin'

This was the first Top 40 hit from the "Funky Divas" album which I own. It was their 2nd Top 40 hit overall with their debut "Hold On" coming 2 years prior. My memory of this record at the time is that it was out a similar time to "Don't You Worry Bout A Thing" by Incognito. When I first properly got into R&B, En Vogue were one of the first groups I bought albums of

Verdict - Good

5. Ugly Kid Joe - Everything About You

This was the Top 40 debut for Ugly Kid Joe. They were a pretty cool band to like at the time as I recall, but very quickly they became uncool. I guess it's hard to tell if they're trying to carry on the legacy of hair metal or fit into the grunge movement. One record I do recall being out at a similar time is "Lithium" by Nirvana and without really knowing the ins and outs I considered them both similar in style. I did consider this to be the better record out of the two.

Verdict - Good

4. Kris Kross - Jump (New)

I remember how I find out who made this record. Somebody told me they'd just bought the Kris Kross record and I thought they were talking about Christopher Cross of "Arthurs Theme" fame. Then they played it and I realised it was a completely different act. In theory 2 squeaky voiced kids rapping should be terrible, but this one isn't. The actual tune helps a lot, but they rap it well too.

Verdict - Good

3. Guns N' Roses - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (New)

In an era where I have more music available to listen to on the internet but less time to listen to it, I find myself listening to the shortened version of songs most of the time. Not with this one though, I'm more inclined to listen to a longer live version. It's a pretty basic song really but Guns n Roses take it to another level.

Verdict - Good

2. Shut Up And Dance - Raving I'm Raving (New)

This one got banned because they didn't get the clearance to sample "Walking In Memphis" the lyrics have been re-written but still sung in the tune of "Walking In Memphis". Being a raver myself, whenever I hear "Walking In Memphis" I find myself singing "Raving I'm Raving" in my head which should give you a clue to what I think of this record.

Verdict - Good

1. KWS - Please Don't Go / Game Boy

This was the first version of "Please Don't Go" that I heard. The original is by KC & the Sunshine Band, but it's basically a clone of a cover done the same year by Italian act Double You. I do like it, but the other tune "Game Boy" is better. Whilst "Please Don't Go" is a commercial dance record, "Game Boy" is very much a rave record.

Verdict - Good / Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 17.5/30, or 58%. There seems to be a lot of average records this week, but we remain above 50%.

Dreamscape 19 @ The Sanctuary, Milton Keynes 27/05/1995

It's pretty safe to assume that if I was raving every weekend in 1995 that if there was a Dreamscape on I would have been there. The previous 2 events had been 15 vs 16 and 17 vs 18 to reflect the fact Rollers was being used, but they reverted back to single figures for this one even though Rollers was still being used.

MTV were at this event with MC Magika presenting. I've posted a short clip of this which includes the video to "Love U More" by Paul Elstak. The tune itself features in the Brisk set which is the first instance I've found of it being played at a UK rave. In Paul Elstak's native Holland though it would enter the Top 40 the following week.

Also at this event were Eternity magazine where Dreamscape won their best rave award and Dougal won best DJ and they were presented with the awards on the night.

In the Rollers it was a drum & bass only arena. DJ Hype played in the main arena though, the only drum & bass DJ to do so.

The tape packs were separate happy hardcore and drum & bass ones. In the drum & bass tape packs the tune played the most was "Hearing is Believing" by MA2 which appeared in 5 of the sets. No happy hardcore tune appeared more than 3 times and there are too many to mention which did appear that many times. One that is perhaps worth a mention is "Toy Town" which got played 3 times having debuted the previous week. We'll be hearing a lot more of that.

In the main arena playing happy hardcore were Bunjy and Donovan 'Bad Boy' Smith who are both better known to be drum & bass DJs.

HMS was playing in the "Tek No Prisoners" arena but made it onto the happy hardcore tape pack. He hadn't quite reached his extreme gabber phase yet but the signs were certainly there.

We had more new for 1995 records at this event then any of the other events featured so far with 34 drum & bass tunes and 40 hardcore ones (using the term to cover the Clarkee and HMS sets). 

These are the drum & bass ones:

Substance - Rude Girls

Substance - Crazy Horse

Mask - Alright

Bruck Wild - I Will Always Love You

Jack Horner - I Got This Feeling

Dillinja - Music

Natural Mystic - Illusions

Peshay - On The Warpath

Higher Sense - Bizarre

Stakka & K-Tee - Living For The Night

Funky Technicians - Fever

DJ Krust - Set Speed

Northern Connexion - Reel Funk

Kym Mazelle - Genius (Dillinja Remix)

T Power - The Mutant Remix - Rollers Instinct

Darkman - I'm Gonna Get You

B-Jam - Funkula

Adam F - Lighter Style

Regulators - Hero's Welcome

Urban Jungle - Anything

Desired State - Here And Now

Rogue Unit vs The Dream Team - Good To U

The Outsider - The Mash Up

DJ Ron - New School Beats

The Guyver - Feel

Sense Of Direction - Simplicity

Rude Bwoy Monty - Warp 9 Mr Zulu

DJ Stretch & DJ Ride - Selector Jungle

PFM - The Mystics

Q Project - The Instrumental

Oblivion - Sands Of Time

Model & HLS - Flights

Source Direct - Exit 9

DJ Trace - By Any Means Necessary

and these are the hardcore ones:

DJ Hixx - Tailor Made

Bass-D & King Matthew - Take Me Higher

Justin Time - Help Me

Unknown Artist - The Crawler

Sons Of Aliens - Wicked Games

DJ Isaac - Fucking E

Scotchman - Self Destruct

Future Viper - Can't Feel The Beat

DJ Scorpio - The Other Side Of Reality

Delta 9 - Listen

DJ Manu Le Malin - M18

Sub Source - Hardcore Euphoria

Scott Brown - Dum Dooby Dum

Paul Elstak - Luv U More

Scott Brown - Gazometer

Scott Brown vs. Rab S - Rock The Party

Infernus - Hardcore Destiny

DJ Demand - Jumpin' Pumpin'

DJ Fade - Now You Know

DJ Poppy - Yes

Omar Santana - Somebody Scream

Ralphie Dee - Don't Worry

Dr. Phil Omanski - Feeling

Diss Reaction - Jiiieehaaaa

Cyclopede - Hyper

DJ Producer - Guess My Religion

Simon C - Scream And Shout

Brainiac - Put Your Hands Together

Scott Brown - Ready For War

Obliterator - Wicked Drums

D-Tox - Trancer

Kinetic Pleasure - Higher

Dougal & Seduction - Cross Your Mind

Midas - Nostalgia

Sy & Unknown - Love For '95

Mercurial - Hear Dis

DJ Pooch - 4 The Floor Recordings - Volume 9 (A)

DJ Seduction - Itch It Up

Force & Styles - Down 2 Love

DJ Pooch - How It Started

One of the notable ones here "Down 2 Love" by Force & Styles Whilst both Force and Styles had tunes previously as part of Force & the Evolution and A Sense Of Summer, this was the first Force & Styles tune that appears to have been played out. It's nowhere near their best known and doesn't sound like a typical Force & Styles record either, but we're seeing them starting as a duo.

You cant definitely sense that Dreamscape were the rave of the moment, but what came next was the biggest Dreamscape of them all. More on that when the time comes.

UK Number 40s: Brand New Heavies featuring N'Dea Davenport - Stay This Way (1992)

 

There is no doubt that this record making number 40 would be regarded as a success rather than a failure.

In 1991 we had the first acid jazz records hit the Top 40 in "Always There" by Incognito and "Apparently Nothin'" by Young Disciples. This opened the floodgates in 1992 to several more acid jazz Top 40 hits. The most prolific of these acid jazz acts was Brand New Heavies who scored 4 Top 40 hits that year with this being the 4th.

As a genre though acid jazz was nothing new. The Brand New Heavies formed in 1985 as an instrumental group originally. Their self titled debut album was released in 1990 and this was a track on it. The vocals were provided by Jay Ella Ruth.

In 1991 the American version of the album was released with N'Dea Davenport providing vocals this time. Then in 1992 a new UK and European version of the album was released which was based on the American version and this is where the 4 singles are taken from.

It is rumoured that Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay failed an audition to become the Brand New Heavies singer when they were initially looking for a vocalist. Jamiroquai have been the most successful act from a chart perspective in the acid house genre, but the Brand New Heavies are a solid second.

They've had 15 Top 40 hit's to date, the final one coming in 2000 which was a cover of "Apparently Nothin'" and featured Young Disciples singer Carleen Anderson on vocals.

Top 30 in 1992 Reviewed: Week 21

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1992 with my verdict on each record:

30. Kim Wilde - Love Is Holy

Kim Wilde in the 90s? That's right, this was her first Top 40 hit of the 90s and it wasn't her last. It was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley who had written several hits for Belinda Carlisle. As a result it sounds like it should be a Belinda Carlisle record but has Kim Wilde singing on it instead.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Gat Decor - Passion (New)

In the 90s the term "Progressive House" was coined. What wasn't clear to many people was what exactly qualified a tune as being progressive house. One definition I've heard is if it makes it's way into a Sasha or John Digweed set then it's progressive house. Anyway, this is an early example of a progressive house record. The vocal remix from 1996 is perhaps better known, but like with most dance records it's better without the vocals.

Verdict - Good

28. Joe Cocker - Now That The Magic Has Gone (New)

This record meant that Joe Cocker had 2 Top 40 hits in the same year for the first time. It was his 5th Top 40 hit which came 24 years after his first. This is a song I've never really listened to much, but after playing it now I find myself singing it which must be a good thing.

Verdict - Good

27. The Future Sound Of London - Papua New Guinea (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for The Future Sound Of London, though member Brian Dougans had previous had a Top 40 hit as Humanoid. It's also their best known record and is probably my favourite record of theirs too. It's got that blend of music you can both dance and chill out to.

Verdict - Good

26. Saint Etienne - Join Our Club / People Get Real

Apparently "Join Our Club" was intended to be most commercial song they could write. I can sort of see where they're coming from, but at the same time it sounds too much like they made it in their bedroom for it to sound that commercial. "People Get Real" was a song that the label didn't think would work as a single on its own, but I'm not really sure why. Either way this double a-side gave them their first Top 30 hit. 

Verdict - Good / Good

25. Michael Ball - One Step Out Of Time

This was the UKs Eurovision entry that year. The only previous Top 40 effort for Michael Ball had been "Love Changes Everything". What struck me about Eurovision when I first encountered it was how old fashioned the music all seemed. Picking someone known for musicals to represent the UK just strengthened that perception. The song itself sounds like something I could imagine Gary Barlow singing, which isn't a good thing.

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

I used to get stick for saying my favourite Metallica song was "Nothing Else Matters". People were baffled I didn't prefer any of the heavier ones. One person even speculated it was the only Metallica song I knew. I stand by this opinion though, it is my favourite Metallica song.

Verdict - Good

23. Extreme - Song For Love

This was the final Top 40 hit from the "Pornograffitti" album and in my opinion the best one. It's a ballad, but given the acoustic nature of "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted" it probably hasn't received the same level of criticism as other rock ballads get from the purists. I'm not a purist though and sometimes I think the rock ballads are better then the heavier ones.

Verdict - Good

22. Thomas Dolby - Close But No Cigar

Thomas Dolby is best known for "She Blinded Me With Science", but that record never made the Top 40. It had been 8 years since he had last been in the Top 40. This features Eddie Van Halen on the guitar and the intro makes you think this will be a rock record, but once it gets going it's basically an electronic record with a rock influence. Works pretty well I think.

Verdict - Good

21. Marc Almond - The Days Of Pearly Spencer

This is the final Top 10 hit to date for Marc Almond. Like with all his other Top 10 hits, this is a cover with the original being by David McWilliams. As Marc Almond is a songwriter, this fact is probably quite annoying for him. I would say though that generally speaking I prefer his covers to his original compositions.

Verdict - Good

20. Ten Sharp - You

I'm a big fan of Dutch music of the 90s in general. The trouble I have with this record though is that it doesn't sound very Dutch or very 90s for that matter. By my reckoning this is the only Top 40 hit of the 90s by a Dutch act that is neither dance music or a novelty record. That doesn't make it a bad record though

Verdict - Good

19. Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this record as I couldn't remember how it went. I definitely know it after listening though. It's a British R&B record that's written by Don-E himself and could easily pass as an American one which is a good thing.

Verdict - Good

18. Wilson Phillips - You Won't See Me Cry (New)

Wilson Phillips are seen by many as being one hit wonders in the UK but they had a trio of number ones in America. By 1992 though it would seem even their popularity in America was in decline. This was their 2nd highest charting single in the UK and the only one to chart higher in the UK than America. Can't say I think much of it, a bit boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Marillion - Sympathy (New)

Progressive rock has come full circle with this record. The original version by Rare Bird was one of the first progressive rock records to make the Top 40 and here are second wave progressive rockers Marillion doing a cover. I do think the original is better, but this is a decent cover.

Verdict - Good

16. Curtis Stigers - You're All That Matters To Me

For some reason I associate Curtis Stigers with late 1992 instead of early 1992 which he had his two big hits, this being the second. It's not that it took me a while to discover him as I remember him appearing on Top of the Pops. The nostalgia factor means that I do quite like this record.

Verdict - Good

15. Kingmaker - Eat Yourself Whole (New)

This was the joint highest charting single for Kingmaker and probably the first song that springs to mind when they're mentioned. It's not a bad record but lacks that certain something to make it a good record.

Verdict - OK

14. Right Said Fred - Deeply Dippy

I remember getting really annoyed that this record made number one and Mr Big hadn't. I absolutely hated this record as a result of that. However I've not really cared how the records I like do in the charts for the bulk of the last 30 years and I still think this record is crap and would have still thought that if Mr Big got to number one instead.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Del Amitri - Always The Last To Know

Del Amitri had 3 hits in the Billboard 100 and this was one of them. It was their 4th UK Top 40 hit and lead single from their "Change Everything" album. It's not a bad record but is a bit generic.

Verdict - OK

12. Richard Marx - Hazard

My memory of this record is going on holiday around this time to the same place I went when the other big Richard Marx hit "Right Here Waiting" was in the charts. I like the record at the time without paying too much attention to the lyrics. Aside from the mystery behind the story I think it also highlights how judgmental some rural communities can be.

Verdict - Good

11. Levellers - 15 Years (EP) (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for the Levellers and their highest charting single to date. Surprisingly "One Way" never made the Top 40 when first released. This was probably the point where lots of people I knew were getting into the Levellers. I kept changing my mind about them around the time but I certainly appreciate their music a lot more now.

Verdict - Good

10. Ce Ce Peniston - Keep On Walkin' (New)

Ce Ce Penitston is known for one song but despite this she managed to score 3 Top 10 hits. This is the 3rd of them and it's a move away from dance music. It was written by Steve "Silk" Hurley, but this just suggests to me he should stick to dance music as this is pretty bland.

Verdict - Rubbish

9. Celine Dion And Peabo Bryson - Beauty And The Beast

When Celine Dion did her cover of "The Power Of Love" in 1994 I assumed she was making her Top 40 debut. Turns out she did this song a couple of years earlier with Peabo Bryson. It's from the film of the same name. I do question why cartoon films have to have such depressing songs to accompany them.

Verdict - Rubbish

8. 2 Unlimited - Workaholic

As a rule I find it more difficult to identify a tune by the intro than by the chorus. With this record though it's the opposite. The intro with chimes from the clock is how I remember it, the rest of it is forgettable eurodance cheese.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Shakespear's Sister - I Don't Care

After they spent a long time at number one with "Stay" Shakespear's Sister followed up with this. I do remember this annoying me at the time, but as it's long forgotten I don't think I've heard it for 30 years. Listening to it now reminds me of how I found it irritating, here's hoping I won't hear it for another 30 years at least.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. Curiosity - Hang On In There Baby

After 3 years away from the Top 40, Curiosity Killed the Cat were back with a shortened name and their final Top 40 hit to date. It seems a few 80s acts were having low charting and long forgotten 90s hits around this time, but this one made number 3. It's not for me though.

Verdict - Rubbish

5. Ugly Kid Joe - Everything About You

This was the Top 40 debut for Ugly Kid Joe. They were a pretty cool band to like at the time as I recall, but very quickly they became uncool. I guess it's hard to tell if they're trying to carry on the legacy of hair metal or fit into the grunge movement. One record I do recall being out at a similar time is "Lithium" by Nirvana and without really knowing the ins and outs I considered them both similar in style. I did consider this to be the better record out of the two.

Verdict - Good

4. En Vogue - My Lovin'

This was the first Top 40 hit from the "Funky Divas" album which I own. It was their 2nd Top 40 hit overall with their debut "Hold On" coming 2 years prior. My memory of this record at the time is that it was out a similar time to "Don't You Worry Bout A Thing" by Incognito. When I first properly got into R&B, En Vogue were one of the first groups I bought albums of

Verdict - Good

3. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip

I loved this record at the time and still do now. The odd thing is that this was before the scene split into happy hardcore and jungle and this sounds like it's gearing towards what would become jungle yet Slipmatt of SL2 would become one of the pioneers of happy hardcore. The only downside is that after "On A Ragga Tip 97" came out which was faster, it makes this record sound a bit slow.

Verdict - Good

2. Guns N' Roses - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (New)

In an era where I have more music available to listen to on the internet but less time to listen to it, I find myself listening to the shortened version of songs most of the time. Not with this one though, I'm more inclined to listen to a longer live version. It's a pretty basic song really but Guns n Roses take it to another level.

Verdict - Good

1. KWS - Please Don't Go / Game Boy

This was the first version of "Please Don't Go" that I heard. The original is by KC & the Sunshine Band, but it's basically a clone of a cover done the same year by Italian act Double You. I do like it, but the other tune "Game Boy" is better. Whilst "Please Don't Go" is a commercial dance record, "Game Boy" is very much a rave record.

Verdict - Good / Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 20/30, or 67%. Big improvement over last week and we no longer look in danger of falling below 50%.

Too Young For....

Last night I watched Top of the Pops: The Story of 1998. They were talking about it being a gamble getting Robert Plant and Jimmy Page on the show because the age group watching the show won't have heard of Led Zeppelin. As someone who was in said age group at the time I would say that's complete nonsense. I'd certainly heard of them and I'm pretty sure many of my peers had as well.

With the internet these days anyone of any age can find any music that was reasonably popular from any era and take a listen. But even pre internet there were ways of discovering old music without it being music ones parents would listen to.

In 1992 The Temptations got to number 2 with "My Girl" which was rereleased because of the film of the same name. It was a song I liked and was being played a lot at the time.

A decade later I was into R&B. One thing I've always done with any of the music I get into is to explore it's history. The Temptations were part of that history, I recall Teddy Riley citing them as being one of his main influences. I liked what I'd heard too and bought a Temptations CD.

A few years later I went to see them in concert. Some of the comments I received were "How do you know The Temptations?" and "Are they a band your parents listen to?". Ironically some of the people asking those questions would have been too young for their 60s heyday themselves but clearly had at least some knowledge of them.

A similar thing happened a few years later when I went to see UB40. Yes I'm too young to remember their early years but I certainly remember them topping the charts in 1993 with "(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You". 

I'll concede I have met young people who have amazed me by not being aware of some pretty big music acts. Maybe that's what gives people the impression you only know music from your living memory.

From my own perspective though, if someone knows a thing or 2 about music then I would expect them to know Led Zeppelin, The Temptations and UB40 regardless of their age.

Double Dipped @ Bagleys, London 19/05/1995

                                              

Dougal

When it comes to big name rave promoters of yesteryear there are several that almost always get a mention such as Dreamscape. You don't very often hear Double Dipped get a mention though, but they were bigger than you'd think.

In 1995 they were putting on events every Friday at Bagleys. This was the same venue Slammin Vinyl put most of there late 90s events on at and several other big name promoters had events there too.

In late 1995 they made the switch to every Saturday but I see no evidence of them having any more events beyond the initial one. The team behind Double Dipped were the same team behind Ravescene magazine.

This particular event though gave us a landmark moment for happy hardcore which was the debut of "Toytown". In a Hixxy interview he talked about Dougal playing it at an event for the first time at Bagleys and I see no evidence of it being played at any event prior to this.

My view of "Toytown" is that I'm not a big fan, if anything I got sick of it appearing in every happy hardcore set I heard at the time. That said I don't blame that record for the demise of the scene, for me it was the vocal stuff that came later.

One of the tracks in the Dougal set which follows that sort of formula is "Sky High" by Psy-Quest. It's not a bad record but it no doubt influenced some pretty dreadful records that came afterwards.

These were the other new for 1995 tunes on the tapes:

Dougal & Mickey Skeedale - Sounds Of House

Future Primitive - Feel It

Happy Tunes - Let The Good Times Roll

Ramos, Sunset Regime, Billy Bunter - Are You Ready For This

Happy Tunes - Put Your Hands In The Air

It's probably fair to say none of this records had nearly anywhere near as much impact as "Toytown" and were largely forgotten by the end of the year.

The only other set to be recorded that night came from Supreme. 

UK Number 40s: TC 1992 - Funky Guitar (1992)

 

When it comes to records that peak at 40 you can often break them down into four groups. There's those you're surprised only made number 40, those more obscure records by well known artists, those hardly anyone knows by someone hardly anyone knows and those which are obscure to many but have a big underground following.

This one fits the latter, being a big house record of it's time and played by the likes of Pete Tong on Radio 1. It is the one and only record ever made by TC 1992, but there is a reason for that.

They come from Italy and when it comes to dance music from Italy it often isn't clear exactly who is in each group and who exactly is involved in each record.

All of the TC 1992 members have been in the FPI Project at some point. They were the Italian act to chart in 1989 who were nothing to do with Black Box or Cappella with their only Top 40 hit being "Going Back To My Roots / Rich In Paradise". The F in FPI stands for Fratty as in Marco Fratty, P for Presti as in Corrado Presti and I for Intrallazzi as in Roberto Intrallazzi.

In TC 1992 these members are known as Marco Frattini, Corrado Foresti and Roberto Biffi. There is also a fourth member called Luciano Bericchia. In 1991 the four of them released a record called "1991" as TC 1991.

They also released records as TC 1993, TC 1994 and TC 1995 with each record coming in the year in the artist name. They didn't limit it to one record a year as a collective. There's quite a long list of other aliases they've released record under over the years.

Top 30 in 1992 Reviewed: Week 20

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1992 with my verdict on each record:

30. Morrissey - We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful

I've said before that Morrissey's songs can have funny lyrical content, but they're delivered in such a boring way that it makes the song a bit of a non-entity. I find these lyrics amusing plus he sings "ha ha ha" in the chorus. At the same time it's surprisingly catchy for a Morrissey record. It's not that good though.

Verdict - OK

29. Kylie Minogue - Finer Feelings

Although we were still in the Stock, Aitken & Waterman era of Kylie Minogue minus Aitken, this was a preview of what was to come in the future for Kylie Minogue with Brothers In Rhythm on remix duties. This one isn't even catchy though.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Michael Bolton ft Kenny G - Missing You Now (New)

We've seen the Top 40 debut of Curtis Stigers who was basically Michael Bolton and Kenny G all in one i.e. a long haired singer of ballads and saxophonist. Now we have Michael Bolton and Kenny G collaborating which surely has to be a reaction to the emergence of Curtis Stigers. Have to say I prefer the Curtis Stigers songs.

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Flowered Up - Weekender

The last Top 40 hit to date and highest charting single for Flowered Up. You could describe them as being London's answer to Madchester.  Basically it's a dance and rock crossover record and is 13 minutes long.

Verdict - Good

26. Texas - Tired Of Being Alone

My memory of Texas was them doing "I Don't Want A Lover" in 1989 then disappearing until 1997 when they reappeared with "Say What You Want". Turns out they had a few minor hits in between, none of which I remember. I did however become aware of this Al Green cover when it appeared on a love songs compilation around 20 years ago. My thoughts were why would you put this on there instead of the Al Green version.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Thomas Dolby - Close But No Cigar (New)

Thomas Dolby is best known for "She Blinded Me With Science", but that record never made the Top 40. It had been 8 years since he had last been in the Top 40. This features Eddie Van Halen on the guitar and the intro makes you think this will be a rock record, but once it gets going it's basically an electronic record with a rock influence. Works pretty well I think.

Verdict - Good

24. Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round (New)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this record as I couldn't remember how it went. I definitely know it after listening though. It's a British R&B record that's written by Don-E himself and could easily pass as an American one which is a good thing.

Verdict - Good

23. Allison Jordan - The Boy From New York City

This long forgotten record was an insight into the future of British pop. Allison Jordan won a competition on the TV show "That's Life" and with it came a recording contract with Simon Cowell. Predictably its a poor cover song which only got to 23 and Allison Jordan then got dropped. The nearest I could find to a video was a clip from "That's Life" showing her recording the video and performing in the studio for the final minute or so.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Richard Marx - Hazard (New)

My memory of this record is going on holiday around this time to the same place I went when the other big Richard Marx hit "Right Here Waiting" was in the charts. I like the record at the time without paying too much attention to the lyrics. Aside from the mystery behind the story I think it also highlights how judgmental some rural communities can be.

Verdict - Good

21. Saint Etienne - Join Our Club / People Get Real (New)

Apparently "Join Our Club" was intended to be most commercial song they could write. I can sort of see where they're coming from, but at the same time it sounds too much like they made it in their bedroom for it to sound that commercial. "People Get Real" was a song that the label didn't think would work as a single on its own, but I'm not really sure why. Either way this double a-side gave them their first Top 30 hit. 

Verdict - Good / Good

20. Vanessa Williams - Save The Best For Last

I always imagined this record to be sung by someone who was old, but it was recorded in 1990 when Vanessa Williams would have been 26 or 27. Maybe I just thought it was music for old people, and it's inclusion on the Bisto adverts more or less confirmed that for me.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. The Sisters Of Mercy - Temple Of Love

This originally failed to chart when first released in 1983. It was re-released to promote a compilation album. The Sisters Of Mercy were a band I never really liked but tried to like because they were one of the cool bands to like amongst the rock crowd at school. Then they were considered to be 80s crap and no longer cool which to me was a relief. 

Verdict - Rubbish

18. Michael Jackson And Mystery Girl - In The Closet

This song is probably better remembered for having Naomi Campbell in the video than for the actual song. It was written and produced by Teddy Riley and it was around this time he took The Neptune's under his wing. Part of me wonders whether it was really The Neptune's who produced this as it does very much sound like them. Then again maybe this provided inspiration for future Neptune's productions.

Verdict - Good

17. Kim Wilde - Love Is Holy

Kim Wilde in the 90s? That's right, this was her first Top 40 hit of the 90s and it wasn't her last. It was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley who had written several hits for Belinda Carlisle. As a result it sounds like it should be a Belinda Carlisle record but has Kim Wilde singing on it instead.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. Shakespear's Sister - I Don't Care (New)

After they spent a long time at number one with "Stay" Shakespear's Sister followed up with this. I do remember this annoying me at the time, but as it's long forgotten I don't think I've heard it for 30 years. Listening to it now reminds me of how I found it irritating, here's hoping I won't hear it for another 30 years at least.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Ugly Kid Joe - Everything About You (New)

This was the Top 40 debut for Ugly Kid Joe. They were a pretty cool band to like at the time as I recall, but very quickly they became uncool. I guess it's hard to tell if they're trying to carry on the legacy of hair metal or fit into the grunge movement. One record I do recall being out at a similar time is "Lithium" by Nirvana and without really knowing the ins and outs I considered them both similar in style. I did consider this to be the better record out of the two.

Verdict - Good

14. Celine Dion And Peabo Bryson - Beauty And The Beast (New)

When Celine Dion did her cover of "The Power Of Love" in 1994 I assumed she was making her Top 40 debut. Turns out she did this song a couple of years earlier with Peabo Bryson. It's from the film of the same name. I do question why cartoon films have to have such depressing songs to accompany them.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Del Amitri - Always The Last To Know

Del Amitri had 3 hits in the Billboard 100 and this was one of them. It was their 4th UK Top 40 hit and lead single from their "Change Everything" album. It's not a bad record but is a bit generic.

Verdict - OK

12. Extreme - Song For Love

This was the final Top 40 hit from the "Pornograffitti" album and in my opinion the best one. It's a ballad, but given the acoustic nature of "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted" it probably hasn't received the same level of criticism as other rock ballads get from the purists. I'm not a purist though and sometimes I think the rock ballads are better then the heavier ones.

Verdict - Good

11. Ten Sharp - You

I'm a big fan of Dutch music of the 90s in general. The trouble I have with this record though is that it doesn't sound very Dutch or very 90s for that matter. By my reckoning this is the only Top 40 hit of the 90s by a Dutch act that is neither dance music or a novelty record. That doesn't make it a bad record though

Verdict - Good

10. The Wedding Present - Come Play With Me (New)

Here's out monthly 1992 record from The Wedding Present. This was the only one of theirs to make the Top 10. I can't think of anything about this record that would make it chart higher than the others. Just sounds like The Wedding Present. Maybe now their monthly releases were gaining momentum they were acquiring more fans. Not me though.

Verdict - Rubbish

9. Curtis Stigers - You're All That Matters To Me

For some reason I associate Curtis Stigers with late 1992 instead of early 1992 which he had his two big hits, this being the second. It's not that it took me a while to discover him as I remember him appearing on Top of the Pops. The nostalgia factor means that I do quite like this record.

Verdict - Good

8. En Vogue - My Lovin'

This was the first Top 40 hit from the "Funky Divas" album which I own. It was their 2nd Top 40 hit overall with their debut "Hold On" coming 2 years prior. My memory of this record at the time is that it was out a similar time to "Don't You Worry Bout A Thing" by Incognito. When I first properly got into R&B, En Vogue were one of the first groups I bought albums of

Verdict - Good

7. Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

I used to get stick for saying my favourite Metallica song was "Nothing Else Matters". People were baffled I didn't prefer any of the heavier ones. One person even speculated it was the only Metallica song I knew. I stand by this opinion though, it is my favourite Metallica song.

Verdict - Good

6. Marc Almond - The Days Of Pearly Spencer

This is the final Top 10 hit to date for Marc Almond. Like with all his other Top 10 hits, this is a cover with the original being by David McWilliams. As Marc Almond is a songwriter, this fact is probably quite annoying for him. I would say though that generally speaking I prefer his covers to his original compositions.

Verdict - Good

5. Right Said Fred - Deeply Dippy

I remember getting really annoyed that this record made number one and Mr Big hadn't. I absolutely hated this record as a result of that. However I've not really cared how the records I like do in the charts for the bulk of the last 30 years and I still think this record is crap and would have still thought that if Mr Big got to number one instead.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. 2 Unlimited - Workaholic

As a rule I find it more difficult to identify a tune by the intro than by the chorus. With this record though it's the opposite. The intro with chimes from the clock is how I remember it, the rest of it is forgettable eurodance cheese.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. Curiosity - Hang On In There Baby

After 3 years away from the Top 40, Curiosity Killed the Cat were back with a shortened name and their final Top 40 hit to date. It seems a few 80s acts were having low charting and long forgotten 90s hits around this time, but this one made number 3. It's not for me though.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip

I loved this record at the time and still do now. The odd thing is that this was before the scene split into happy hardcore and jungle and this sounds like it's gearing towards what would become jungle yet Slipmatt of SL2 would become one of the pioneers of happy hardcore. The only downside is that after "On A Ragga Tip 97" came out which was faster, it makes this record sound a bit slow.

Verdict - Good

1. KWS - Please Don't Go / Game Boy

This was the first version of "Please Don't Go" that I heard. The original is by KC & the Sunshine Band, but it's basically a clone of a cover done the same year by Italian act Double You. I do like it, but the other tune "Game Boy" is better. Whilst "Please Don't Go" is a commercial dance record, "Game Boy" is very much a rave record.

Verdict - Good / Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 16/30, or 53%. We're getting even closer to dropping below 50%.

Pandemonium @ Mr B's, Willenhall 13/05/1995

                                             

Top Buzz

Pandemonium was the rave featured in the first weekend of the year after new years eve. This is the 2nd visit of the year but as it was a weekly event there had been plenty of events happening in-between.

Just one tape exists from this event which comes from Top Buzz. If you read my post back in January you may be thinking hang on that was supposed to be one of the last sets from Top Buzz as we knew them, and it was.

This set though wasn't Top Buzz as we knew them as there was no Jason Jay (aka Jason Kaye). It was just Mikee B and MC Mad P. 

In terms of the transition to UK Garage for both Jason Kaye and Mikee B, I haven't seen Jason Kaye on a flyer as a garage DJ prior to this but Mikee B was down as a garage DJ at Roast the previous month.

This set is purely jungle though and even contains 2 new for 95 tunes which are "Explicit Lyrics" by Missing and "Taken Over" by Fallen Angels. This could be the last time we'd see Mikee B under the Top Buzz name as he's not been involved since they reunited.

Away from the tapes judging by the flyer this night was done in conjunction with Diehard as their logo is on there. It may just be because Diehard residents Naughte and Smiley were doing a back 2 back set.

We also have Easy D and resident DJ Full Effect.

There's a good chance Pandemonium will feature again but in all likelihood there won't be a Top Buzz set next time, so lets enjoy the one we have now.