The Brief: If 1983 is the year of the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson and 1985 the year of the Queen Of Pop, Madonna; sandwiched in between is definitely the year of His Royal Badness, Prince. Let me count the ways. “When Doves Cry” is the #1 Hot 100 Single and Hot Black Single for [...]
Posted in Apollonia, FWV, Prince 
Tags: 1984, 7 Inch, MPLS, Pop, R&B, Warner Brothers Records 
5 Comments »
The Brief: I hope you enjoyed the postings last week and I appreciate all that have shown their support for the guest bloggers. Three of them got their chance to weigh in last week, this week we get to read musings from the other guest bloggers. As for my part this week, I get to tell [...]
The Brief: I first heard “Blue Limousine” by Apollonia 6 about two years ago while enjoying a spicy margarita with some chips and salsa at my then-favorite Mexican restaurant. It was a cool summer evening, and the patio bartender was blasting tunes from her playlist of Prince protégés. Most of the songs I recognized. But [...]
Posted in Apollonia 6, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Pop, R&B, UK Pressing, Warner Brothers Records 10 Comments »
The Brief: Time for a six degrees of separation, and we don’t even need six steps to achieve that! Today’s 12″ connects the genius that is the late great Malcolm McLaren with Mariah Carey. In 1982, English music honcho Malcolm McLaren was so taken in by New York hip hop and its block party culture [...]
Posted in FWV, World's Famous Supreme Team Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Electro-Funk, Island Records, R&B 11 Comments »
The Brief: According to Wiki ‘I wonder if I take you home’, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam’s demo was discovered in a tape bin. It’s hard to believe really as the song was an instant radio and club hit which peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play in June 1985. The [...]
Posted in Full Force, FWV, Lisa-Lisa and Cult Jam Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Columbia Records, Full Force, R&B 9 Comments »
The Brief: Depending on your musical taste, the concept album that served as a soundtrack for the musical stage production Chess, was one god-awful messy hodge-podge of crap with a few gems thrown in or a dazzling score that covers nearly all the pop bases. Either way, the worldwide hit “One Night In Bangkok” was part [...]
The Brief: There always seems to be a warm welcome here for S.O.S. Band records so, I hope this one isn’t an exception. The title track from 1984′s ‘Just The Way You Like It’ LP was the lead off single and the highest charting of the 4 singles released. The song was one of 4 [...]
The Brief: As with yesterday’s 7″ single, today’s shaves a little over 2 minutes off of the LP version to get the song down to a more radio friendly under 4 minutes track time. O’Bryan Burnette II was approximately 18 years old when his first album hit the streets on Capitol Records in 1982. O’Bryan was [...]
The Brief: Oh man, start a discussion about outdated songs and this one would have to be in the conversation! Although kind of cool and humorous when released, this one certainly has not stood the test of time. The basic story line is about a guy who can’t ever get in touch with his girl, [...]
The Brief: I turned 16 years old in May of 1981, finally able to drive and go places on my own. The summer before, Prince released the LP ‘Dirty Mind’ and one of the tracks on that album was entitled “Uptown”. Now, I really can’t say if that is what gave us the phrase but, [...]
The Brief: “We Are The Young” was Hartman’s follow up to his first pop Top 10 single. On the heels of the success of “I Can Dream About You”, this next single also went Top 40 and became the second highest charting pop single of his career. All three of Dan’s singles from the ‘I [...]
The Brief: Guest Blogger: Ric “The song that taught me how to count” That was what George Michael said about “Instant Replay” when he listed it as one of his all-time Top 10. The man behind that disco classic, Dan Hartman, is indeed an influential figure during the disco era. After his 1979 disco anthem, [...]
Posted in Dan Hartman, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Jellybean Benitez, MCA Records, Pop, Promo 10 Comments »
The Brief: At the age of 4 years old, you are dared by the legendary Dinah Washington to go out on the stage at the world famous Apollo Theater and sing. What would Patti Austin do? Well, she would just stroll right out there and wow the crowd with her voice and then proceed to [...]
The Brief: In previous blog posts that featured the music of Patti Austin, we took a look at work she did with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ Flyte Tyme Productions in 1985. Today and the rest of this week we are going to sample some of her singles created with different producers. First up today is “It’s [...]
Posted in FWV, Patti Austin Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Jellybean Benitez, Promo, Qwest Records, R&B 6 Comments »
The Brief: Yesterday sort of marked the end of a period in the existence of Fun With Vinyl. It wasn’t very noticeable but, starting today you will see a slight change in the files that you download from here. I suppose a short back story is required. In early 2010 I began digitizing my record collection. Over [...]
Posted in FWV, Thelma Houston Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, MCA Records, R&B, Steve Hodge 15 Comments »
The A Side: We Want Prince (Long Version) 6:08 The B Side: We Want Prince (Vocal) 3:05 We Want Prince (Instrumental) 3:10 The Brief: This record is one of those “tribute” songs that takes song titles and works them into the lyrics of the song. Quite cheesy, actually. Sexual Harassment released “I Need A Freak” in [...]
The A Side: Another Lonely Christmas 4:20 The B Side: Sheila E. introducing The Belle Of St. Mark 0:10 Sheila’s Christmas Message 0:04 Apollonia’s Message To Japan 0:12 Apollonia introducing Sex Shooter 0:10 Apollonia introducing Blue Limousine 0:14 Apollonia introducing Happy Birthday Mr. Christian 0:15 Prince introducing Purple Rain 0:04 The Brief: OK, up front, this technically is not a [...]
Posted in Apollonia 6, FWV, Prince, Sheila E Tags: 1984, 7 Inch, b-side, Christmas, MPLS, Promo, R&B, Warner Brothers Records 20 Comments »
The A Side: What People Do For Money 7:24 The B Side: Dollar Bill Dub Dub 8:24 The Brief: Divine Sounds were Disco Ritchie, Shelton D & DJ Mike Music from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City. The group claims that DJ Mike Music was the first DJ to rap on a record. Their biggest hit [...]
The A Side: Swept Away (Long Version) 7:37 The B Side: Swept Away (Instrumental Version) 7:14 The Brief: “Swept Away” is a song written by Daryl Hall & Sara Allen and produced by Daryl Hall & Arthur Baker for Diana Ross. The single is from the album of the same name that was released in [...]
The A Side: Emergency (Remixed by Mark Berry for MSB Productions) 6:55 Emergency (Dub Mix) 5:02 The B Side: Emergency (Remixed by Jim Bonnefond) 5:21 You Are The One 4:20 The Brief: “Emergency” is the title track from Kool and the Gang’s 18th studio LP and the only one of four singles released from the [...]
Posted in FWV, Kool and The Gang Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, De-Lite Records, Jim Bonnefond, Mark Berry, Promo, R&B 12 Comments »
The A Side: I Sweat (Going Through The Motions) 6:12 The B Side: I Sweat (Going Through The Motions) (Instrumental) 4:57 The Brief: Nona Hendryx’s “I Sweat (Going Through The Motions)” appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Perfect in 1985. This 12″ is a promo from Nona’s 1984 ‘The Art of Defense’ LP. The [...]
The A Side: Flippin’ Out 5:00 Pretty Mess 3:44 Samuelle 4:14 Strap On “Robbie Baby” 4:12 The B Side: Wild Animal 4:39 Mechanical Emotion Crazy Maybe 5:00 The Brief: Vanity’s debut solo album after leaving Vanity 6 is ‘Wild Animal’. The album was produced by Bill Wolfer and Vanity. Credits on the album list Vanity [...]
The A Side: Adult Education (Special Club Mix) 6:04 The B Side: Maneater 4:34 The Brief: The second single from Hall & Oates’ ‘Rock ‘n Soul Part 1’ greatest hits collection, like its predecessor, was the highest debut song the week it hit the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box Top 100. It went [...]
Posted in FWV, Hall and Oates Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Jellybean Benitez, Pop, Promo, RCA Records 9 Comments »
The A Side: Tenderness (Radio Version) 3:34 The B Side: Tenderness (Dance Mix) 6:00 The Brief: The Beat or The English Beat broke up in 1983. The band’s vocalists Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger assembled keyboardist Mickey Billingham from Dexy’s Midnight Runners, guitarist Mick Jones from The Clash, bassist Horace Panter from The Specials and [...]
Posted in FWV, General Public Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, I.R.S. Records, Jellybean Benitez, Pop, Promo, Rock 10 Comments »
The A Side: The Temptations – Treat Her Like A Lady (Club Mix 6:10) / (Dub Reprise 3:45) The B Side: Dazz Band – Let It All Blow (Club Mix) 6:10 Dazz Band – Let It All Blow (Instrumental – Blowy’s Reprise) 4:48 Dazz Band – Let It All Blow (Radio Edit of Club Mix) [...]
Posted in Dazz Band, FWV, The Temptations Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Morales and Munzibai, Motown Records, Promo, R&B 17 Comments »
The A Side: No One’s Gonna Love You (Special Version) 9:39 The B Side: I Don’t Want Nobody Else (Special Version) 5:59 The Brief: When 1984 rolled around, The S.O.S. Band were ready to release their fifth album. Once again, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis came in and provided production and songwriting, this time for [...]
Posted in FWV, The SOS Band Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, R&B, Tabu Records 9 Comments »
The A Side: Don’t Get Stopped In Beverly Hills (Special Mix) 7:37 The B Side: Don’t Get Stopped In Beverly Hills (Instrumental) 7:37 Don’t Get Stopped In Beverly Hills (Dub Version) 7:40 The Brief: We continue our string of soundtrack songs by the group Shalamar. Today’s post is the song “Don’t Get Stopped In Beverly Hills” [...]
Posted in FWV, Shalamar Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Louil Silas Jr, MCA Records, R&B, Soundtrack 3 Comments »
The A Side: Dancing In The Sheets (Special Version Mixed by John “Jellybean” Benitez) 6:17 The B Side: Dancing In The Sheets (Instrumental) 5:00 The Brief: When Shalamar first came to prominence, the group consisted of Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett. The group ran up a string of R&B and pop hits from [...]
Posted in FWV, Shalamar Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Columbia Records, Jellybean Benitez, R&B, Soundtrack 9 Comments »
The A Side: Deadline U.S.A. (Mixed by John “Jellybean” Benitez) 5:58 Deadline U.S.A. (Dub Version) 4:50 The B Side: Giorgio Moroder – Knock Me On My Feet 3:02 The Brief: To all freedom loving people everywhere, join me in wishing happy Independence Day to the United States of America. For everyone celebrating today, here’s wishing [...]
Posted in FWV, Shalamar Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Jellybean Benitez, MCA Records, R&B, Soundtrack 4 Comments »
The A Side: Purple Rain 4:02 The B Side: God 3:59 The Brief: The title track from the ‘Purple Rain’ LP was the third single released from the blockbuster album and the first single that failed to reach #1 as it stalled out at #2, top-blocked by Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”. By [...]
The A Side: Like I Will (Tokyo Mix) 6:48 The B Side: Like I Will 7:00 The Brief: A third Jam & Lewis produced single from Cherrelle’s ‘Fragile’ LP is “Like I Will”. The 12” features the “Tokyo Mix”. I apologize for the condition of the labels in the scans, the previous owner obviously did [...]
Posted in Cherrelle, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, R&B, Tabu Records 12 Comments »
The A Side: Fragile…Handle With Care (Special Version) 12:12 The B Side: Fragile…Handle With Care (LP Version) 5:58 The Brief: Cheryl Anne Norton began her career working with jazz/R&B artists Norman Connors and Michael Henderson, as well as touring with Luther Vandross. She signed with Tabu records in 1983 to record under the name Cherrelle. [...]
Posted in Cherrelle, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, R&B, Tabu Records 4 Comments »
The A Side: I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On 3:58 The B Side: I Need You Now 4:35 The Brief: Early in her music career, Cherrelle (nee Cheryl Anne Norton) toured with Luther Vandross as a backup singer. I saw Luther on his “Busy Body Tour” in late 83/early 84, wonder if she was [...]
Posted in Cherrelle, FWV Tags: 1984, 7 Inch, Flyte Tyme Productions, Promo, R&B, Tabu Records 10 Comments »
The A Side: I’d Rather Spend The Bad Times With You Than Spend The Good Times With Someone New (Radio Mix) 3:48 I’d Rather Spend The Bad Times With You Than Spend The Good Times With Someone New (Dub Version) 7:15 The B Side: I’d Rather Spend The Bad Times With You Than Spend The [...]
Posted in FWV, Thelma Houston Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, MCA Records, Promo, R&B 18 Comments »
The A Side: Fantasy and Heartbreak (Dance Mix) 6:40 The B Side: Fantasy and Heartbreak (LP Version) 5:04 Fantasy and Heartbreak (Dub Version) 6:21 The Brief: Track #3 on the ‘Qualifying Heat’ LP by Thelma Houston is “Fantasy And Heartbreak”. This is the second of two songs that were written and produced by Monte Moir [...]
Posted in FWV, Thelma Houston Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, Latin Rascals, MCA Records, R&B 10 Comments »
The A Side: (I Guess) It Must Be Love (Extended Version) 8:59 The B Side: Working Girl 4:53 The Brief: The UK 12” release of Thelma Houston’s “(I Guess) It Must Be Love” has an extended version that differs from the US promo and album versions. The Billboard Charts: Chart Debuted Debut Pos. Peak Pos. [...]
Posted in FWV, Thelma Houston Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, MCA Records, R&B, UK Pressing 4 Comments »
The A Side: (I Guess) It Must Be Love 3:59 The B Side: (I Guess) It Must Be Love 7:20 (I Guess) It Must Be Love (Instrumental) 9:25 The Brief: The first track on Thelma Houston’s ‘Qualifying Heat’ LP is “(I Guess) It Must Be Love” which was written and produced by Monte Moir. Today’s [...]
Posted in FWV, Thelma Houston Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Flyte Tyme Productions, MCA Records, Promo, R&B 3 Comments »
The A Side: (I Guess) It Must Be Love 7:20 You Used To Hold Me So Tight 5:42 Fantasy and Heartbreak 5:04 I’d Rather Spend The Bad Times With You Than The Good Times With Someone New 6:00 The B Side: Shake You 4:04 Generate Love 4:34 Love Is A Dangerous Game 4:09 What A [...]
The A Side: Kiss And Tell (Special Version) 6:40 The B Side: Kiss And Tell (Instrumental) 5:34 The Brief: Ernie Isley on lead guitar, Chris Jasper on keyboards and Marvin Isley on bass made up Isley, Jasper, Isley. The three splintered off from the Isley Brothers in 1984 and recorded and released ‘Broadway’s Closer To [...]
The A Side: Can I (Vocal/LP Version) 6:27 The B Side: Can I (Vocal/Without Rap) 6:20 Can I (Vocal/Edited Version) 3:58 The Brief: Lead singer Dwight Dukes along with keyboardist McKinley Horton, drummer Daryl Burgee and vocalist Keith Steward comprised the group Cashmere. Their single “Can I” was released in 1984 in support of the [...]
Posted in Cashmere, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, Bruce Weeden, Philly World Records, Promo, R&B 3 Comments »
The A Side: Strut (Dance Mix) 5:56 The B Side: Letters From The Road 3:22 The Brief: Sheena Easton’s biggest-selling US album of her career was the RIAA certified platinum ‘A Private Heaven’ in 1984. The album produced her fifth and sixth top 10 singles “Strut” and “Sugar Walls”. “Strut” was written by Charlie Dore [...]
Posted in FWV, Sheena Easton Tags: 12 Inch, 1984, An Endless Music Mix, David Leonard, EMI America Records, Pop 3 Comments »
The A Side: Shackles (Radio Mix) 4:35 Shackles (Instrumental) 5:24 The B Side: Shackles (Club Mix Vocal) 5:32 The Brief: R.J.’s Latest Arrival hailed from Detroit, Michigan and began playing together in the late 70s. In 1984 they released the album ‘Harmony’ which featured their biggest chart hit “Shackles”. The Billboard Charts: Chart Debuted Debut [...]