Just played a 12 inch single of Phil Collins in the air tonight extended mix.
The sound quality blew me away, amazing dynamics.
Does anyone have a favorite 12 inch single that sounds awesome?
Given the faster groove speed and (usually) wider groove spacing, 45rpm 12ā vinyls certainly should sound better than 33rpm albums, all other factors being equal.
Iām strictly silver disc only, but there were some fantastic 12ā mixes done in the mid/late 80s in particular. Some of my favourites are:
- Word Up (Cameo)
- Pump Up the Volume (MARRS)
- Itās a Sin (Pet Shop Boys)
- Peter Gunn (Art of Noise & Duane Eddy)
- Revolution (Jean-Michel Jarre)
- Radioactivity (Kraftwerk, 1991)
12ās were also great for otherwise unreleased tracks that, if youāre lucky, show up on later remastered editions.
Mark
Two Tribes, Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Agree completely about the sound quality and dynamics.
Ah yes two tribes, most dynamic piece of vinyl Iāve ever heard!
Some great titles there, I might well try and seek them out. 12 inch singles make my little kans sound like isobariks!!
Two favs spring to mind Soft Cellās Torch with the extended trumpet playing and New Orderās Perfect Kiss with the sound of frogs during the extended instrumental section.
OK, well not the same, but I had a James Bond theme tune album that I always put āLive and let dieā on at 45, and it always sound better to me. If anyone has it, try it.
Back in black. AC/DC.
Oh yes. Not forgetting Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax and Two Tribes, Sly and Robbie - Boops (Here to go). The width of those grooves
The 12" of Peter Gabrielās Sledgehammer has an extended version of Biko on the B side which is extraordinary.
Iāve got that one, will dig it out for a play.
I have about 100 or so 12" 45rpm singles. Many sound really great. FGTHās Two Tribes is fab, and yes the PG Sledgehammer with Biko on the flip side is also excellent. I have a collection of Thomas Dolby 12" 45s and promos which mostly sound excellent too. A few stand-outs for sound quality;
Yazoo - Situation (Kevorkian Remix)
ATF - Der Kommisar (extended Remix)
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy
Ryuichi Sakamoto & David Sylvian - Forbidden Colours
The Blue Nile - Downtown Lights
Thanks for these recommendations Richard, I will keep an eye out for them at my local record shop in Witney.
I have loads from the 80s and yes I agree with above, FGTH Two Tribes is fantastic, not only for itās quality, but the mix is superb.
Like Richard Iāve a collection of 45rpm 12" singles that runs into the 100ās mostly House Music and Reggae but of the more commercial titles Iād say my. favourites are
Long Hot Summer, Money Go Round and Youāre The Best Thing all by The Style Council,
Love Wars - Womack & Womack,
Back Together - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
Blue Monday - New Order
Some great suggestions above.
Iāll add:
Anything issued by the Thompson Twins
White Wedding - Billy Idol
Stay - Blue Nile
Anything issued by Propaganda.
Also, if you can find it, the original 12ā extended remix of Marquee Moon by Television.
FGTH is also real test of system dynamics
The Style Council have an album (āThe Cost of Lovingā) which is actually two 12-inch 45s.
had forgotten about this and havenāt played it for ages, so canāt vouch for the recording or pressing quality - but will give it a spin laterā¦ thanks for the prompt!
May I add: Cowboy Junkies version of Sweet Jane, and Blue Moon, along with Prefab Sproutās Johnny Johnny?
Iām sure Sir Paul would be thrilled to hear thisā:rofl: