Colonel Abrams - Colonel Abrams (all cuts)

Another Colonel Abrams post for you today. This time around is an entire LP that peaked at number one on the Billboard Dance Disco chart.

Colonel Abrams is the self titled debut album of Colonel Abrams, released in 1985. This album consists of rhythm and blues influenced House music songs with excellent lyrics and charismatic vocal performances from Abrams. Includes four Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart hits, "The Truth", "Over and Over", "Trapped" and "I'm Not Gonna Let You" as well as the minor R&B chart hit, "Table for Two"

"Trapped", "I'm Not Gonna Let" and "Over And Over" also charted seperately as 12" singles that will be posted in the future. For now enjoy the entire LP that placed Colonel Abrams on the House Music map.

Here is the track listing for this remarkable LP
A1. Trapped - 3:41
A2. I'm Not Gonna Let You - 4:48
A3. Over And Over - 4:24
A4. Margaux - 5:50
A5. Table For Two - 2:44
B1. Truth - 4:45
B2. Speculation - 5:00
B3. Never Change - 5:47
B4. Picture Me In Love - 4:30

Taken from the original LP on MCA 5682
Colonel Abrams - Colonel Abrams
(all songs on one zip file)
LP charted on December 28, 1985. Spent 11 weeks on the chart and reached #1

ABC - Vanity Kills/Be Near Me

You all probably have this but here it is again. Another ABC post. This one is taken from the IMPORT that was released in 1985. It was a double sided 12" single that contained Vanity Kills and Be Near Me. Both of these songs also charted seperatly on their domestic release but those had different mixes than what is being posted today and will be featured here in the future.

"Be Near Me" is a song by ABC. The hit single from How to Be a...Zillionaire!, it is a message from the group's lead singer, Martin Fry, to an unknown addressee. He commands the addressee not to leave him. It peaked at #9 in the U.S. in the fall of 1985 and at number #26 in the U.K. earlier that year.

The song’s music video depicts the band as a group of cartoon characters that have entered the real world. They are seen performing the song against a white background. During this, the camera makes a series of rolling panning shots, suggesting that the band is inside a ping-pong ball. The song also appeared in the movie The Breakfast Club but was not featured on the album.

While your here check out the US version of the video for Vanity Kills

Taken from the original 12" Import on Neutron Records
Vanity Kills (Mendelsohn Mix) - 6:13
Be Near Me (Ecstasy Mix) - 4:42
Both songs charted on August 10, 1985. Spent 6 weeks on the chart and reached #7

Ta Mara & The Seen - Everybody Dance

Ta Mara and the Seen was a Minneapolis-based R&B group, signed byA&M Records to capitalize on the mid-'80s chart success of "Minneapolis Sound" by acts such asPrince, Vanity 6, Sheila E and The Time. They achieved Top 40 success with this single, which peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1986.

Lead singer Ta Mara was born in Kenitra, Morocco and lived there as a child before moving to Minneapolis with her family at the age of seven.

Other members of the group includedbassist Keith Woodson, guitarist Oliver Leiber (son of the famed songwriter Jerry Leiber), keyboardist Gina Fellicetta, and drummer Jamie Chez. A 1988 follow-up album, Blueberry Gossip, failed to catch on and the group disbanded in 1989. Their albums are no longer in print.

Taken from the original 12" single on A&M 12149
Everybody Dance (Original 12" Version) - 5:42
Song charted on October 26, 1985. Spent 11 weeks on the chart and reached #9

Go West - Eye To Eye

The british duo of Peter Cox and Richard Drummie called themselves Go West. Formed in 1982, they quickly had a publishing deal and possessed a porastudio, but, lacked a band or recording company. With the support of their manager, John Glover, the two recorded two demo tracks ("We Close Our Eyes" & "Call Me"). These songs landed them a recording contract with Chrysalis Records. Both songs, also, landed them their first two pop hits in America and they never looked back.

They contributed their biggest hit to date to the Pretty Woman soundtrack called "King Of Wishful Thinking". This song gave them their only top 10 as it peaked at#8 in the spring of 1990. Currently, the two is still touring and recording.

Today's track comes from the duo's debut LP Go West. This song gave them their third and final appearance on the dance chart.

Taken from the original 12" single on Chrysalis 42900
Eye To Eye (Horizontal Mix) - 5:10
Song charted on September 28, 1985. Spent 4 weeks on the chart and reached #32

Flash & The Pan - Midnight Man

The Australian duo, Flash & the Pan, consisted of George Young & Harry Vanda. Both use to be in the group Easybeat in the 60's. With that group, they charted in the Top 40 with the song Friday On My Mind.

After Easybeat split, the duo went on to write and produce for other artists such as David Bowie, Peter Frampton, Blondie, Rod Stewart, among others. Then, when George's younger brothers Angus and Malcolm started a group, he help launch AC/DC.

In The 80's the duo went New Wave and had a few minor hits with Hey St. Peter and Media Man. In 1985 they released Midnight Man and became a quick dance floor favorite. Here it is in it's entirety.

Taken from the original 12" single on Epic 05188
Midnight Man (Extended Version) 6:56
Song charted on February 9, 1985. Spent 9 weeks on the chart and reached #19

Dead Or Alive - Youthquake (All Cuts)

In the early days of the Dance Disco chart, Billboard magazine would not only list 12" singles but also 7" singles and Full LP's. Todays post is one of the few times that Billboard listed the entire LP.

Released in 1985 "Youthquake" was one of the best selling albums of that year. Every song on this LP is a must have for the dance floor.

Three songs from this LP charted seperately as a 12" single (You Spin Me Round, Lover Come Back To Me & My Heart Goes Bang), but, in August of 1985, clubs played the entire LP so often the whole LP charted. As a result....here is todays post.

YOUTHQUAKE
A1. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
A2. I Wanna Be A Toy
A3. DJ Hit That Button
A4. In Too Deep
A5. Big Daddy Of The Rhythm
B1. Cake And Eat It
B2. Lover Come Back To Me
B3. My Heart Goes Bang
B4. It's Been A Long Time

LP Charted on August 17, 1985. Spent 5 weeks on the chart and reached #30

Boys Don't Cry - I Wanna Be A Cowboy

On December 28, 1985, Boys Don't Cry made their first, and only, appearance on Billboard's Hot Dance/Disco charts with a silly little song called I Wanna Be A Cowboy. Even though they only spent one month on the chart and reaching the #44 position, many people recognize this song song since it peaked at #12 on the Pop chart.

I don't know too much about this band other than they originated from England. Boy's Don't Cry (consisted of Nick Richards on vocals, Nico Ramsden on guitar, Brian Chatton on keyboards, Mark Smith on bass and the rhythm guy was Jeff Seopardi. They were discovered by the now famous Paul Oakenfold, who at the time was a talent scout for Profile Records.

The video for this song featured Lemmy from Motorhead (of all people). It is sooooo Kooky that it worth watching. Watch it here

I'm posting the Original 12" version from Profile 7084

Purchase the original 12" single here

I Wanna Be A Cowboy (12" Saddle Mix) 6:05