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   Jamie's Top 10 Albums

La Toya Jackson - Heart Don't Lie
Epic Records, 1984
UK #'flop! US #165

It is so hard to pick a favourite La Toya album, its a close call between this and her latest offering Startin' Over. I think since Heart Don't Lie actually got released and makes a massive impression despite only lasting for 40 mins it just pips SO to the post. This album is simply amazing! Toy turned to pure dance/pop after her disco phase and the result was this absolute corker! My personal favourites include; Think Twice, Hot Potato; and Frustration! This is just poptastic and well worth tracking down.

Sheena Easton - What Comes Naturally
MCA Records, 1991
UK #flop! US #90

Sheena had been working up to this ever since 1984's A Private Heaven. I doubt there's even a real instrument on this R&B Pop nugget! 10 slammin' tracks with Sheena's voice soaring over the mostly fast-paced and gloriously aggressive (in a nice poppy way) production! Its a classic, naturally!

Betty Boo - Grrr It's Betty Boo!
Warner Bros Records, 1992
UK #62

A vast improvement on her strong debut makes this an absolute must have CD for any Pop Trash Addict. Highlights include: Hangover, Let Me Take You There and Catch Me. Betty sings and raps her way through these retro tinged tracks .

Voice Of The Beehive - Honey Lingers
Warner Bros Records, 1991
UK #42

What sets this album above their debut is that this album was mixed by PWL's Phil Harding, who gives this album a polished, less raw sound. The heartfelt lyrics and catchy tunes make this an absolute must. I recommend; I Think I Love You, Prefect Place, and Just Like You. The aforementioned Perfect Place is just stunning, one of my favourite songs ever.

The Pointer Sisters - Breakout
RCA Records, 1984
UK #4, US #8

One of the biggest hit albums on my list and again a wonderful collection of upbeat pop tracks. The Sisters' soulful deliveries make this just a killer album. It has so many hits on it including; I'm So Excited; Jump (For My Love); and my favourite The Neutron Dance! You just can't go wrong!

Kathie Lee Gifford - Heart Of A Woman
Universal Music, 2000
US #170

This is perhaps my favourite A/C pop album of all time. Kathie's gushing delivery on this album may turn the stomach of an amateur Pop Trash Addict, but it does nothing but turn me on! I absolutely adore this album, even the over done ballads and drippy mid-tempos. My favourites are the upbeat tracks; Heartache Heartache, Love Never Fails, and The Hardest Part (Remix). Come back to pop music Kathie!

Dead Or Alive - Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know
Epic Records, 1986
UK #50, US #52

I really like this one! I know 1989's Nude is the fan favourite, and while its great, I'm a sucker for this cheap Stock Aitken Waterman production. Pete Burns' aggressive delivery and trashy lyrics mixed with the hiNRG tacky production makes for an explosive combination. Brand New Lover, Something In My House, and the filthy Come Inside are my favourites. If you liked You Spin Me Round, you will want to run and get this right away.

Blondie - Eat To The Beat
Chrysalis Records, 1979
UK #1 US #17

Its often pretty tough to pick a single Blondie album out of their back catalogue. There are a couple of duff ones; Victor; and-Sound A-Sleep, indeed the skip button was designed for such tracks. But what you're left with is easily the best 'jump around your room' rock album ever! Nobody has bettered Debbie Harry as the queen of punk/pop. She sounds fabulous on this record, favourites include; Accidents Never Happen; Living In The Real World; and Dreaming! Its just brilliant. Lorna Luft, star of Grease 2 and sister of Liza Minnelli, does backing vocals on some tracks!

Traci Lords - 1,000 Fires
Radioactive Records, 1995
UK #flop US #flop

Adult entertainer, popular actress, and finally techno diva! Traci certainly lived up to the name of her character, Jill Of All Trades, on the hit series Profiler. This is probably the weakest and most out there record on my list. But i think its incredible. Traci takes on every cutting edge (at the time) trend like with every bit of the panache and eagerness she took on all those men in her movies. Tracks like; Control; Fly; and Outlaw Lover show off not just the skill of producers Juno Reactor and Babble, but also Traci's talent as a lyricist. 

Rachel Sweet - Protect The Innocent
Stiff Records, 1980
UK #flop! US#123

I picked up this LP a few weeks ago and I love it! I first heard of Rachel from her theme tune to the movie Hairspray. Protect The Innocent is her second LP and is a vast improvement on her debut. These trashy rock/pop gems are really quite special, its hard to pick out a favourite as they are all good! I'm sure this one will move up my list. Watch out for a page on Rachel very soon.sh Add

Tracks Of My Year.... by Jamie

Alex Gaudino & Crystal Waters - Destination Unknown
Data Records
[UK CD5] #4

Amerie - Gotta Work
Columbia Records
[UK CD5] #21

Deborah Harry - Two Times Blue
Universal Music
[Promo]

The Gossip - Standing In The Way Of Control
Back Yard Records
[UK CD5] #7

Freemasons feat. Seidah Garett - Rain Down Love
Loaded Records
[UK CD5] #12

La Toya Jackson - I Don't Play That
Ja-Tail/Bungalo Records/Universal Music
[US Promo] R&B A/C #77

Beyonce - Green Light (Freemasons Mix)
RCA Records
[Digital Download] #12

Carol Jiani - Somebody Else's Guy
Dance Street Records
[Digital Download]

Toyah - Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You)
Zomba Music
[Digital Download]

Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts
Parlophone
[UK CD5] #4

Dannii Minogue - Touch Me Like That
AATW Music
[UK CD5] #48 (haha!!)

1. He’s The Greatest Dancer – Dannii
2. Take It Off (Andy Caldwell Remix) – Brielle Davis
3. Fall In Love – Melinda Jackson
4. I’m Coming Out (Mobin Master Remix) – Marcia Hines
5. Disco In My Car – Suzy Ray
6. Son Of A Preacher Man (Fat Rok Radio Mix) – Deni Hines
7. Keep It Natural (Taylor Square Remix) – Cosima De Vito
8. Way Of Life (KC Baker Radio Edit)
9. She Devil – Robyn Loau
10. Viva Las Vegas (Vegas Mix) – She Is The King

This list represents my favourite Australian pop trash anthems for the first half of 2007. All of the songs have been commercially released with the exception of Marcia’s “I’m Coming Out”, which was a club promo. Deni’s “Son Of A Preacher Man” remix appears on her “5 Days Of Rain” CD Single. 

Mike's Top 10 Albums

I found it almost impossible to select my 10 favourite albums because there are probably 100 albums that I cherish equally. However, if I ever find myself stranded on a desert island, I hope that hot doctor from “Lost” is there to take my temperature and with any luck, I’d have the following 10 CDs in my manbag. Please note that I deliberately only selected one album from each artist. 

10 Favourite Albums (in no particular order)

Kylie - Light Years (2000)
Parlophone/EMI Records
Aus #1, UK #2 

I could have just as easily selected “Kylie”, “Rhythm Of Love” or “Fever”. In fact, any one of Kylie’s albums would have been fine. I chose “Light Years” because it’s one of the most camp mainstream pop albums ever recorded and is basically a celebration of all things pink, shiny and wonderful. From beginning to end, this album is just perfect. My favourite songs are “Butterfly”, “On A Night Like This”, “Light Years” and the much maligned “Please Stay”.

Dannii - Neon Nights (2003)
London Records
Aus #25, UK #8

All of Dannii’s albums belong on this list. They are all exceptional pop albums and overwhelmingly fabulous. I couldn’t decide between “Girl” and “Neon Nights” but eventually went with the latter due to its exceptional consistency and irresistible exuberance. “Neon Nights” is a party in a CD cover. If Dannii’s glorious tunes don’t get your feet moving then you’re probably straight and should just fuck off. Highlights include “On The Loop”, “For The Record” and “Vibe On”.

La Toya - Heart Don't Lie (1984)
Epic Records
US #149 

“Heart Don’t Lie” is La Toya’s masterpiece. No other Jackson album even comes close to matching its poptastic brilliance. La Toya has released a lot of fabulous crap in her career but “Heart Don’t Lie” demonstrates what a brilliant pop star La Toya could have been with better guidance and a little bit of luck. Complex, diverse and instantly catchy, “Heart Don’t Lie” is possibly the most underrated album of all time. Essential songs include the title track, “Private Joy” and “Betcha Gonna Need My Lovin’”. 

Olivia Newton-John - Totally Hot (1978)
Festival Records
Aus #4, US #7

I absolutely adore Olivia Newton-John and knew that she would feature in my list somewhere. I thought about “Physical”, “Come On Over” and “Soul Kiss” but settled on “Totally Hot”. Those other albums are overflowing with quality pop music but “Totally Hot” is a more cohesive and consistent effort. The song selection is perfect, the cover art is fierce and the music videos are hilarious. My favourite tracks include “Please Don’t Keep Me Waiting”, “Boats Against The Current” and “Deeper Than The Night”. “Totally Hot” comes very close to being faultless album. 

Millie Jackson - Feelin' Bitchy (1979)
Spring Records
#flop

Millie is one of those artists who has released a plethora of great albums but not one that stands out from the rest. I love Millie’s traditional soul albums from the early 1970s and her trash classics from the 1980s. Hell, I even love her country album! I decided on the heavenly “Feelin’ Bitchy”, which is a stepping stone between Millie’s early work and later output. Another reason for its inclusion is the brilliant way in which it works as a narrative – this isn’t just a collection of excellent songs, it’s a wonderfully cohesive album. 

Liza Minnelli - Tropical Nights (1977)
CBS Records
#flop

My love for “Tropical Nights” knows no bounds! With the exception of “Results”, “Tropical Nights” is the only time in Liza’s career that she truly embraced a contemporary sound. “Results” is a brilliant album but it is starting to sound terribly dated. The same can not be said for “Tropical Nights”, which is bizarre given its flirtation with disco and 70s pop music. “Tropical Nights” is simply gorgeous. The vocals are superb, the music is brilliant and the song selection is inspired. 

Barbra Streisand - Butterfly(1974)
CBS Records
US #13

As the fairy godmother of all things gay, Barbra was always going to make my list. I just found it incredibly difficult to choose one album. I eventually decided on “Butterfly” because it represents one of Barbra’s most experimental and rich offerings. The album is incredibly diverse in both sound and subject matter. People who only know Barbra from her recent output would undoubtedly see her in a different light after listening to her stunning cover of Bowie’s “Life On Mars” and Bob Marley’s “Guava Jelly”. 

Robyn – Robyn (2005)
Konichiwa Records
Sweden #1 

“Robyn” is unquestionably one of the finest pop albums to be released in recent years. The Swedish queen of pop has delivered an eclectic mix of pop, hip hop and rap, which blends into a fiercely original listening experience. The consistency and quality of “Robyn” is really quite amazing. Every track is superb, yet completely different. The international version of the album has been further improved by the inclusion of the lovely “With Every Heartbeat”. My favourite tracks are “Be Mine”, “Bum Like You” and “Handle Me”. 

Bette Midler - Thighs And Whispers (1979)
Atlantic Records
US #65 

The combination of Bette Midler and disco music is almost too fabulous to comprehend. “Thighs And Whispers” is one of Bette’s least successful albums but still holds up nicely as an exceptionally entertaining listen. Tracks like “Knight In Black Leather” and “Married Men” are camp masterpieces, while Bette’s version of “Hang On In There Baby” ranks with the very best disco covers. The album’s lighter moments are well balanced by some of Bette’s loveliest ballads, including the slightly morose but gorgeous “Millworker”. The end result is an expertly crafted and sadly underappreciated musical gem. 

Melissa Tkautz - Lost & Found (2005)
JRB Music
 

"Despite the fact that "Lost & Found" sounds like it was recorded on Melissa's home computer, this trashtastic epic remains one of my favourite albums two years after its unsuccessful release. Melissa's failed return to pop music after a 13 year hiatus warmed the cockles of my trash loving heart. A second, vastly improved, version of "Lost & Found" was recorded but never released. The fabulous leaked tracks are a painful reminder of how much better the pop world is when Melissa has a record deal."