Maxi Singles

I will depart from the usual 33 1/3 road today and enter the 45 rpm world and the so-called maxi singles. My collection does not contain many of this ancient creatures, there are only four of them. For those who don't remember, a maxi single was a disc of normal size (12'') but spun on 45 rpm and had 1-2 songs per side. Since the tracks wasn't as close, the sound became more dynamic. It was when the DJ culture gained momentum these discs filled a need.



Kate Bush - "Experiment IV" (1986)
To promote Kate's Greatest hit album The Whole Story this single was released, both as a "normal" single and a maxi single. The A-side is the title track and is not on any of Kate's studio albums. I think this song is pretty boring and relatively bland, if one may say so about Kate and her music. The lyrics is about a secret military plan to create a weapon which  kill people with sound.
If you flip the record it starts with the classic and breakthrough song Wuthering Heights from 1978, with new vocals. It's a beautiful song with a sweeping chorus. Can't go wrong with that. Finally you reach the album's peak, the Christmas song December Will Be Magic Again which was recorded in 1979 but was released as a single just before Christmas 1980, and here it appears again. You don't get that song either on any of Kate's studio albums, but is one of my personal favorites with Kate, and without a doubt a top favorite when it comes to Christmas songs. One of few examples that a Christmas song can be really good.

Side A
1. Experiment IV 6:38

Side B
1. Wuthering Heights 4:57
2. December Will Be Magic Again 4:50





Kate Bush - "The Big Sky (Meteorological Mix)" (1986)
The A-side is (of course) the title track which is taken from Kate's album Hounds of Love, but as the title suggests, it is a remixed version. I've gotten used to hear the song in its original form and it's therefore a bit difficult to really enjoy this version. However, it's an OK song that wants you to dance, especially in this meteorological mix.
The B-side opens up with Not This Time, a song that does not appear on any of Kate's studio albums and a song that I don't especially like. Unusually mainstream to be Kate, and with a strong 80s vibe. It doesn't stand out in any way. The single ends with another song from Hounds Of Love; The Morning Fog.


Side A
1. The Big Sky (Meteorological Mix) 7:49

Side B
1. Not This Time 3:40
2. The Morning Fog 2:33





Kate Bush - "Running Up That Hill" (1985)
This was the first single released from Hounds Of Love and Kate's second most successful single ever. It started out as the number nine on the charts in England and got to a third position as its peak. It's a good song, and many believe it is one of Kate's best. Originally the title was A Deal With God but EMI were worried how people would react to the word "God" in a song title? Scary. Kate changed the name, but the on the LP the original name was included in parentheses. This single version of the song is an extended version, but follows the LP's version pretty close.
The B-side opens with a very beautiful creation, Under The Ivy. A song that doesn't appear on any studio album and an instant favorite when I heard it. Kate's voice, a piano and a some choir. I guess the song should be defined as a ballad, the kind that almost induces tears. Last of all, Running Up That Hill comes back in an instrumental version.

Side A
1. Running Up That Hill (Extended Version) 5:47

Side B
1. Under The Ivy 2:06
2. Running Up That Hill (Instrumental) 5:00






Ganges Orchestra - "The Dream" / Ganga - "Meditasian" (1983)
After my Kate Bush maxi singles we come to the collection's more rare bird. Odd in that the band / artist is a bit more obscure, moreover, it's not purely a maxi single. One side spins at 45 rpm while the other spins at 33. The label is the English Indipop which does not refer to 'independent', it's about dance music with Asian / Indian influences. On the energetic A-side, The Dream, you'll hear the tabla, African log drum, Indian bells, morcing, conga, saxophone, Shenai, sitar, bass, slide guitar, etc. The vocals consist largely of traditional hindi singing. And all created to the dance floors in the 80's club scene in England. And one can only say that it is dance friendly! Full speed ahead!
Some people involved in this album played the year before in the band Monsoon which apparently was a successful band in the genre, if you believe marketing sheet that comes with the album. Sheila Chandra and Steve Coe are two of the names. Steve Coe ran Indipop and Sheila Chandra has released some solo albums at this label but also on her own label later on.

The B-side is a much longer track of the more meditative kind, only a sitar (I think) is heard, and the sound goes in a loop. Relaxing and soothing.

The first 5000 copies of the album were hand painted with unique motifs and were numbered, I'm the proud owner of number 858. I think that's a rain cloud and ... yes ... something else. The sea and a periscope? Another interesting detail is that it came with an incense stick inside the cover, and mine is still intact. However, many incense sticks "managed to warp several boxes of export vinyl copies in the process! But at least the warped vinyl smelt good ..." Sheila's own words from the album information on discogs.com.
I found this album on a record fair in the 90s and paid what I then thought was a relatively large amount of money (= more than $ 15).

Side A
1. The Dream 7:17

Side B
1. Meditasian 24:39