'SYBIL: When I'm Good And Ready (Next Plateau/Roadrunner NP1420). This was great as an anthemic pop dance number (a top five hit in 1993) and is even better now it's been toughened up with a raunchier, soulful feel. ****'

'...MANDY SMITH 'I Just Can't Wait (Mandy's Theme)' (Public Demand PPDT 12, WM), 1988 B-side's superb jazz-funk guitar instrumental with only scraps of chorus by Mandy in original powerfully pushed pattering 113.9bpm The Cool And Breezy Jazz Version, joining new Queen-like vocal prodded crazy Doop-ish jumping jittery 127.8bpm Shades Of Rhythm Dub, electro-ishly chugged quavery 125bpm Brandon Block/Alex P and Italo-ishly keyboarded cooing vocal frisky 131.9bpm Keith Mac Project Remixes...'

'SYBIL 'Beyond Your Wildest Dreams'. After her two club hits, Sybil drops a few bpms to forge an attractive shuffle beat for this remake of the song first recorded by Lonnie Gordon. A majestic performance ensures that this will be yet another hit. ****'

'...SLAMM 'Virginia Plain' (PWL International PWLT 274), hunky poster packaged Roxy Music remake's pure HI-NRG 131bpm 12" Master, techno pop 131.2bpm Safe hands, O-131.3bpm La Camorra Mixes, NRGetic 134.5bpm 'Energize'...'

'SYBIL 'The Love I Lost'. While urban-ites continue to chew on the sweet 'You're The Love of My Life', posters are served a sparkling pop/NRG rendition of a Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes classic. This timeless tune gains its current top 40 muscle by Sybil's lively ands soulful vocal and the distinct hand of producers Stock & Waterman. A Top Five UK smash that should have little trouble making the grade here. The club remixes are quite nice too. DJ's take heed!'

'NEW & NOTEWORTHY: BOY KRAZY 'That's What Love Can Do' - Photogenic UK female act has been winning regional radio nods for this chirpy li'l ditty that was a hit in its homeland in early 1992. Cheeky girl-group era vocals flat atop a hand-clapping, horn-rimmed arrangement that resembles 'The Best Of My Love' by the Emotions. The song's irresistible chorus will likely push it over the top on a national level. This one will also be remembered as the final composition and production by the famed, now-defunct Stock-Aitken-Waterman hit machine.'

'SYBIL: Stronger Together (PWL International PWCD 269). This nagging and insistent but not particularly attractive hustling house anthem looks to recapture the Top 40 form Sybil lost last time out. It will probably do that, though a breakout of the magnitude of The Love I Lost is very unlikely. ***'

'...SYBIL 'Stronger Together' (PWL Continental PWLT 269), a catchily melodic simple Sonia-ish romper if given the chance, but trendily "Jurassic Pack" promoed in techno-type synth prodded striding 0-123.6bpm Tyrannosaurus Rex (Phil Kelsey), proper techno 129.9bpm Triceratops (Safe Hands), keyboards stabbed exciting 130.7bpm Brachiosaurus (Jewels & Stone), pipingly frisky 123.7bpm Theropads (Master 12") and wheezy organ chugged then similarly attractive Diplophosaurus (Tony King) Mixes...'

'BOY KRAZY 'Good Times With Bad Boys'. Follow-up to 'That's What Love Can Do' is a bouncy run through girl group memories; from it's Phil Spector influenced production to the act's chirpy harmonies. OK, so this record isn't going to alter the state of pop music. But it sure is three minutes of pure pop pleasure that leaves you smiling from ear to ear. Is there anything wrong with that? Hi-NRG Dj's should delve into the club mix ... ooooh baby!'

'SUZETTE CHARLES: Free To Love Again (RCA 743211583). Linn drum kings Stock and Waterman's latest protege is this vocally-telented and pretty American who asserts herself in fine style on a mature and classily soulful effort. Perfect for radio and the dancefloor. An obvious and big hit. ****'

'58: SUZETTE CHARLES: Free To Love Again (RCA) USA debut. Producer: Mike Stock/Pete Waterman. Publisher: All Boys. Writer: Stock/Waterman. Notes: New Jersey girl Charles is a former Miss America and has worked with Bill Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr. Pete Waterman describes her vocals as "quite simply the greatest voice I have ever heard". Album: Autumn.'

'SLAMM 'Energize' (Black Diamond). I'm always half expecting the promos on PWL's Black Diamond subsidiary label to turn out to be its next teen pop sensation, but these pumping house tracks certainly stand up as good, if rather clean sounding, club grooves. The 'Ride Of The Vulcans' and 'Captain's Log' are the more interesting mixes, being those with the least vocals'

'SYBIL 'Beyond Your Wildest Dreams' (PWL Int PWLT 265), pleasant classy Lonnie Gordon revival's mellow jogging 0-99.9-0bpm Jewels & Stone Seducer Mix, 99.9bpm 'Walk On By' medley, P'funkily rolling 0-101bpm Jumpin 100 Vibe, stuttery raving 123.9bpm Safe Hands Remix...'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Celebration'. This could be her final single for PWL. If it is, it's a shame - first that she should leave the company where she has made some memorable pop records, and second that she should do so with an insipid hit-by-numbers recording of Kool & The Gang's party anthem. (3/5)'

'...Kylie Minogue's latest outing, What Kind Of Fool, is one of three new tracks on her upcoming hits retrospective. Typically bright and breezy, it is however a little slight of melody and hooks when compared to some of her previous work - but that won't stop it from continuing her unbroken sequence of Top 20 hits.'

'WEST END featuring SYBIL: The Love I Lost (Sanctuary PWL 253). Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes' 1974 hit makes an easy transition from Philly soul to commercial garage at and hands of Stock and Waterman. Its uplifting, hustling, instrumental track is strangely at odds with the downbeat lyrics, but it's tight, commercial, bright and breezy. A monster in the clubs, and likely to become an equally large pop hit. ****'

'PICK OF THE WEEK: BANANARAMA 'Movin' On' (London). Down to a duo now, and reunited with former producers Stock and Waterman (similarly slimmed down by Matt Aitken's departure), Bananarama return with an impossibly commercial reminder of their former glories. Movin' On they ain't, but hitbound they most certainly are.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Greatest Video Hits'. All 17 of Kylie's consequent Top 20 hits, plus a couple of bonus tracks, on this bumper 65-minute promo collection. Released on Aug. 24 with a £7.48 dealer price, it will benefit from TV advertising and marketing going behind both this and the accompanying album.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Greatest Hits'. Twenty hits, two newies and several Japanese hits never released in the UK. Welcome to Kylieworld and the album every part time Kylie fan's waited for. Travel through all of her career stages from soap princess turned popette to bubblegum disco to the key brilliance of sexykylie and the recent mature woman routine. Even if you like only half of the album, it's worth buying.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Give Me Just A Little More Time'. Kylie Minogue steps back in time again for her latest single, a remake of Chairmen of the Board's "Give Me Just A Little More Time". Comparisons with the original as sung by General Johnson are futile, but Kylie acquits herself well.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Give Me Just A Little More Time (12" Version)' (PWL Records, PWLT 212), Coinciding with the song's use by an Accurist TV commercial, this cheerfully romping shrill 126.9bpm revival of Chairmen of the Board's 1970 classic is coupled with the previously promoed (as by 'Angel K'!), galloping 0-128.26bpm "Do You Dare" in HiNRG instrumental NRG and ravier more vocal New Rave mixes.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Finer Feelings'. Minogue at her most mature and reflective, with a deftly remixed (by Brothers In Rhythm) track from her current album "Let's Get To It". Percussive and rhythmic accentuations are subtle rather than florid, and Kylie's vocal is amongst her best. Sweetly melancholic, and if she does now move from PWL, it's a fine note to leave - but it's unlikely she will find a company more in tune with her.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Finer Feelings (Brothers In Rhythm Mix)'. (PWL International PWLT 227), More profound than usual (sample lyric: 'What is love, without the finer feelings, it's just sex, without the sexual healing") this Steve Anderson & Dave Seaman remixed delicately intro/outroed 0-94.8-0bpm Soul II Soul rhythm jogged slinky sweet swayer has, as customary club aimed flip, Angel's smoothly cantering 127.5bpm "Closer" (The Pleasure Mix).'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Celebration (Have A Party Mix)' (PWL International PWLT 257), The Phil Harding & Ian Curnow produced shrill synth and vocal prodded but bouncily rinky-tinking 123.5bpm remake of Kool & The Gang's catchy "Whah hoo!" chanting 1980 party classic is actually more Kool-like and beefier on its unremixed 120.9bpm 7", usefully out as was the original just before Christmas, coupled with Stock & Waterman's gorgeous slinky "Crystal Blue Persuasion" influenced 100.8bpm "Let's Get To It".'

No. 20: Kylie Minogue (Australian, 18th hit)
Producers: Phil Harding/Ian Curnow
Publisher: Warner Chappell
Writers: Bell/Taylor
Notes: Originally a hit for Kool & The Gang in 1980
First hit: "I Should Be So Lucky", No. 1, 1988
Biggest hit: "Especially For You", No. 1, 1989
Last hit: "What Kind Of Fool", No. 14, 1992
Album: Kylie Greatest Hits
Management: Terry Blamey 071-371-7627

'PAT & MICK 'Gimme Some (Extended Version)' (124 1/2 - 124 1/4bpm) (PWL Records PWLT 75) Easter's coming, so once again Capital FM's prime time jocks Pat Sharp & Mick Brown benefit their station's Help A London Child charity by fronting a Stock Aitken Waterman produced remade disco oldie, this year's being an inevitably bright 'n' breezy singalong - featuring vocals by Mae McKenna, Miriam Stockley & Mike Stock - revival of Jimmy 'Bo' Horne's catchy 1976 TK classic (only ever a pop hit here as previously covered by Brendon, exactly 14 years ago), good pop fun.'

'Single of the fortnight: KYLIE MINOGUE 'Word Is Out'. Sounds like Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" a bit, doesn't it? She's just been brilliant ever since "Better The Devil You Know". You could listen to this 100 times and never get bored of it. And as it's Kylie, even if it was crap, it would be a hit. But it's not crap, it's brilliant. I think when she started she was a bit of a nothing. But you've got to hand it to her, because she's done it all herself. It's excellent.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'What Do I Have To Do (Pumpin' Mix)' (122bpm) (PWL Records PWLT 72) Still Sporting her late Fifties/early Sixties Roger Vadim sexpot look on the sleeve, sophisticated Kylie's latest Stock Aitken Waterman creation is a "you, you, you", "do, do, do" emplasising though otherwise fairly unmemorable jiggly Hi-NRG canterer (instrumental flip).'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'What Do I Have To Do'. Platform shoes and funny sunglasses ahoy! It's the second (actually third) supreme single from "Rhythm Of Love"! After her dabble with '70s disco on "Step Back In Time", this one sees a return to the reassuring old Kylie-sound. But! As she's now an official, fully-grown missus, there are a couple of weird bits, like ghostly whistling noises. It's still essentially the usual Kylie/SAW item, though. Seems a shame that she didn't release something a little more daring, like "Shocked". Oh, well.'

'Kylie 'What Do I Have To Do' (Mushroom). The third of many singles to be taken from Kylie's album "Rhythm Of Love" and, despite what Kylie says about them, it's another Stock, Aitken and Waterman song. Because it's by them, you should know what to expect. It's nothing completely ace when you first hear it but then after hearing it a few times, you discover you're humming it when you're cleaning your teeth (!) and it's actually really really good. By the way Stock, Aitken and Waterman have just announced "very soon we won't be involved any more," when it comes to Kylie and that, "it isn't the sort of direction" they'd want to take her. So expect something really really new from Kylie soon ...'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Shocked'. Shocked you will be, by Skinny Minnie's radical new direction, "Get Loose" rapper Jazzi P actually kicking off the A-side's almost Betty Boo-type scuffling and scampering hip house 112bpm DNA Mix, flipped by a fuzz tone guitar yowled and piano jangled thumping jauntier jiggly 0-122.1bpm Harding/Curnow Mix.'

'DELAGE 'Rock The Boat (Extended)' (117 1/2bpm) (Polydor/PWL Records PZ 113) Produced by Stock Aitken Waterman in 'Hit Man And Her' style, this girl group's breezily wriggling remake of the Hues Corporation/Forrest oldie begins with much "1, 2, 3, 4" counting while another variation on L.A. Mix's 'Coming Back For More' sax riff boosts the funky drum break beats (rather as also in the same stable's recent King For A Day 'Kick That Rhythm') before reaching the familiar proper song, which the 7-inch Version launches straight into, coupled by the almost ridiculously frantic 'I Wanna Be Your Everything' (127 1/4bpm), a fascinating combination of influences ranging from Donna Summer to Mary Kante and even some fiddling hoedown!'

'KYLIE MINOGUE & KEITH WASHINGTON 'If You Were With Me Now'. Certainly ringing the changes, this is a slushily duetted 65-0bpm US-style radio ballad, flipped however - hold on to your hats! - by Kylie's jangly pounding 0-125.1bpm "I Guess I Like It Like That", which actually uses as its backing the authentically raving rhythm from 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready For This" smash! But wait, there's more! This was promoed as a single-sided 0-124.8bpm white label scam teasingly credited as ANGEL "The Bootleg", whereupon DJ Paul Taylor (by coincidence from Angels in Burnley) let PWL know that it could be harder and volunteered with partner Danny Bennett to join producer Tony King in creating a radically different new "Move my body" punctuated slow starting then surging and pausing jangly (0-)124.9-0bpm rave remix with really only a "Gonna keep on pumpin' it up 'cos I like it" chant from Kylie, so unrelated to the first version that it will be released commercially in just three weeks as The Visionmasters & Tony King Feat. Kylie Minogue "Keep On Pumpin' It" (The Visionary Remix) flipped by a more jerkily bounding (0-)124.8bpm Phil Harding remix of the original. Hot or what?'

'#8: Kylie Minogue 'Better The Devil You Know'. What's Up - Your Guide To This Week's New Entries (No. 8): Here she is with the week's highest new entry, a triumphant climax to her hugely successful British tour (she's been closing her set with it). 'Raunchy' appears to be the current Kylie buzz-word - and have you seen that new vid yet? - wow! - but it's business as usual chart wise with a SAW track that's slightly heavier than usual.'

'SONIA: Everybody Knows - The Video Hits (PWL Video/Chrysalis). This video is a basic compilation of the clips for all her singles, including the one for "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" - the worst video ever made - and her touching duet with Big Fun, "You've Got A Friend". These are interspersed with clips of Sonyer having a right old singalong with the Fun on their tourbus and bits of interview where she talks about her meteoric rise to stardom and suchlike. All in all, you're left with the impression that Sonyer is a nice wee lassie with a good voice who's having fun being famous, and you can't help but like her. As she would say herself, it's a right laugh. (27 mins. approx.)'

'BIG FUN & SONIA 'You've Got A Friend' (BMG). The only good thing about this is that English popsters Sonia and Big Fun did it for a children's charity. "You've Got A Friend" is just the most ineffectual, bubblegum rubbish around. Stock Aitken Waterman, inventors of run-of-the-mill hits have struck again and you'd have to be mighty hard-up to enjoy this.'

'BIG FUN & SONIA 'You've Got A Friend'. No don't turn the page just yet, this isn't quite as bad as it sounds. The amazing woman with no neck and three hunks in the Bruce Forsythe wigs do quite a credible job on what sounds like an old Smokey Robinson song and the cash will be going towards Childline. So go out in disguise and buy at least three copies.'

'...Capital FM jocks Mick & Pat's third annual Easter Help A London Child charity record will be a revival of Odyssey's 'Use It Up And Wear It Out', produced as usual by Stock Aitken Waterman...'

'KAKKO 'We Should Be Dancing'. It's the same old song, only every now and again SAW seek out a new face for their covers. Kakko is that face. The song? A little of The Reynolds Girls, a smidgeon of Sonia, a mote of Mel & Kim. My anger has long since turned to indifference as far as these little pop gems are concerned. Instantly forgettable and sadly destined to be a hit.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Tears On My Pillow'. Apart fron being the 50th S/A/W production to make our Top 10 and 13th to make the pole postion, "Tears On My Pillow" is Kylie's fourth chart topper in this country. The only females with more singles on top have been the two ABBA girls (9), Madonna (8) and Debbie Harry, who had five as lead singer in Blondie. Besides this, Kylie has now had Top 4 hits with all nine releases so far and this too is a record for a solo female singer, with even Madonna never managing more than eight Top 4 hits in a row - although, so far, she has had an impressive 16 overall. Kylie has now spent 31 weeks in the Top 2 in Britain and is the first solo female to manage 30 or more ever - Madonna has spent 27 weeks in the Top 2.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Tears On My Pillow'. Kyles at her weepiest! Devout fans should check out the B-side for a new song 'We Know The Meaning Of Love' and the 12" for a new remix of 'Wouldn't Change A Thing' which is, as they say, Smokin'".

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Rhythm Of Love'. She wails as if she's the 'singer' from Black Box (a bit)! She raps as if she's MC Hammer's younger sis (sort of)! She writes (a couple of) her own songs! Gulp! It's the new 'mature' Kylie and she'd like to take us all on a major disco excursion! Every track on this, her third LP in as many years, fair romps along with footloose and fancyfree dance fervour. Mind you, with seven top efforts from S/A/W included ("Better The Devil You Know" still one of the best singles in recent memory), "Rhythm Of Love" is not as 'different' as it could have been. The tunes our Kylie herself contributes mostly retain those familiar boompy-tee-boomp backbeats, swirling 'popular' strings and relentless thumping drums. There is one odd inclusion, "One Boy Girl", featuring LA rapper The Poetess (?) alongside Kylie, who delivers a fairly credible rap display. It seems quite clear that Kylie now fancies herself as the new Janet Jackson rather than the new Madonna. Nonetheless she's co-written two stompers with Madonna's ex, Stephen Bray (famous for helping out on "Into The Groove" and "Express Yourself" amongst others). There are, however, one or two dull spots: "The World Still Turns", co-written by Martika's producer Michael Jay and 'mixed' by Paula Abdul's main man, Keith Cohen, being the main offender. On the whole though, "Rhythm Of Love" is pretty much a cracking pop outing. (8/10)'

'JASON DONOVAN 'Hang On To Your Love'. Can a whole month have gone by without a release from Jason? Yes, I think it really has, but now our boy is back...sounding like Jason Donovan. There's really nothing worse than little Jace rambling on about love and the meaning of life. Surely the bubble has to burst soon.'

'Band Aid II, featuring a star studded cast including Kylie Minogue and Technotronic re-release 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' on November 26 (1990). Originally out in December last year, the single went straight into the charts at Number One and has so far raised £575,000 for the Ethiopian famine appeal.'

'Sonia releases her single 'Counting Every Minute' on March 26. The 12-inch features a special 'Kiss Mix' of 'You'll Never Stop Me Loving You' and we can look forward to Sonia's debut album which will be out next month.'

'JASON DONOVAN 'Another Night'. Poor old Jason. It seems they've got him releasing a single every other week and forcing him to dress up like that smart young advertising executive your sister brought home, but who you suspect picks his nose. This drifts in one ear, out the other and then it's off down to a jolly good secondhand record shop I know.'

'...Beats Per Minute that may be useful for pop jocks include Kylie Minogue 'Better The Devil You Know (The Mad March Hare Mix)' (120bpm)...'

'Big Fun 'Blame It On The Boogie'. Stock, Aitken & Waterman! I can spot their stuff anywhere! This is one of my all-time favourite songs. I haven't heard Big Fun's version though. But they were on that doco about Kylie & Jason - they didn't look like they could sing! It's good but it couldn't beat the Jacksons' version. A hit? Definately, especially in the UK. But it really doesn't sound like they can sing!'

'...SONIA 'You'll Never Stop Me Loving You' (Chrysalis CHS12 3385), another inevitably hitbound typically slick tuneful Stock Aitken Waterman created chunkily bounding 119 1/2bpm ultra-commercial galloper by a sweet voiced vivacious 18 years old redhead who auditioned acappella for Pete Waterman and sang live on 'The Hitman And Her'...'

'Jason Donovan 'Everyday (I Love You More)'. I've heard this before. He's actually singing it to me. Am I a big Jason fan? Oh yeah! As usual, this is romantic and loving and nice. I did a tour with him recently and I used to go at the end and sing background vocals on 'Too Many Broken Hearts'. This just has to be a hit. He's lovely and he's a mate of mine so this just has to be the single of the fortnight.'

'Sonia will follow up 'Never Stop Me From Loving You' with another Stock Aitken Waterman composition, 'Can't Forget You', on September 25. Sonia can also be seen in all her glory on the Coca Cola Hitman Roadshow which sets off next month.'

'...BIG FUN 'Can't Shake The Feeling' (Jive T 234), Stock Aitken Waterman created typically facile frisky 124 1/8bpm Hi-NRG galloper, prodded by a "wooh"-less "yeah"...'

'BANANARAMA 'Help'. Oh yeah ... I've seen this on TV and ... um ... I don't like it! I just think that people re-doing Beatles songs ... well, they shouldn't be re-done, put it that way. They shouldn't be touched by anyone. For charity? Well, that's OK, I guess.'

'INSTANT RELIEF. Bananarama will be doing their bit for Comic Relief when they release their cover version of the Beatles' classic song 'Help' as a single on February 13. Special guest stars on the single are Lananeeneenoonoo (try spelling that properly when you've had a few), alias Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and their friend Kathy Burke.

'Help' was produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman and it will be accompanied by a wacky video with some of the worst dance sequences ever filmed. Money raised from the single will be going to relief work in Africa and to fight homelessness and drug and alcohol abuse in Britain.'

'THE REYNOLDS GIRLS 'I'd Rather Jack'. What a complete work of genius is this record! These two young english girlies have 'a go' at those nasty creatures in charge of what we all listen to on the radio. In front of a relentlessly catchy baseline the girls natter away about singing along with Yazz, how they'd 'rather jack (i.e. groove housily) than Fleetwood Mac', 'who need Pink Floyd & Dire Straits' (good point!) and how the DJ on the radio station 'is always more than twice the age of me'! These girls are hot! They're the new Mel & Kim! The new Lubricated Goat! They're the Reynolds Girls and 'I'd Rather Jack' is the brightest, most ridiculously tacky slither of perfect pop to have crawled out this year. Yep, I'd rather jack too!!!'

'THE REYNOLDS GIRLS 'I'd Rather Jack' (PWL Records PWLT 25), Pete Waterman is already asserting that UK radio ignores his provenly popular kids-aimed creations in favour of older demographics (ie: age group) aimed material, and now Stock Aitken Waterman really knock radio's programming policy with this Liverpudlian Mel & Kim-style duo's breezily rollicking 124 3/4-124 1/2bpm pop-house youthful rallying call that "I'd rather jack, than Fleetwood Mac"!...'

'...SONIA 'Listen To Your Heart' (Chrysalis 12 3465), SAW created mundane plaintive 124bpm trotter that not even some grafted on hip house trappings can toughen up...'

'DONNA SUMMER 'Love's About To Change My Heart'. I'm in love with Donna Summer, I'm surprised she went to Stock Aitken Waterman, though what she was doing in the 70's was the same - she always does the latest dance stuff. I liked her last song better. It's a shame that the drum machine's so loud.'

'...JASON DONOVAN 'Sealed With A Kiss' (PWL Records PWLT 39), SAW-produced strong sweetly swaying 0-95 2/3-0bpm remake of Brian Hylands bittersweet classic 1962 summer vacation song, true to the original's spirit (reviewed in fact off seven inch, which may differ)...'

'...JASON DONOVAN 'Sealed With A Kiss' (orchestrally preambled on 0-95 5/6-95 1/2-0bpm 12") is flipped by the Philly Soul-style attractively cantering semi-instrumental 0-124 1/5-124 2/5bpm 'Just Call Me Up', worth checking...'

'DONNA SUMMER 'This Time I Know It's For Real'. It's the new Kylie Minogue single ... except it isn't! This single signals Donna's return to the big time (and the 'hit time' for that matter) after she had a couple of religious outbursts a few years ago (which she has since retracted) and everyone burnt her records. There's no need for that now. 'This Time...' is a wonderful piece of funknuckle pop with atizzy beat and a few sequinned synthesizers bubbling about the patio. Should be massive! Chalk up another hit to Stock, Aitken & Watermelon with this one.'

'DONNA SUMMER 'This Time I Know It's For Real' (WEA U7780T), Stock Aitken Waterman created over long instrumentally started but then catchily melodic MoR plaintive swaying 0-115 3/4bpm canterer with jittery rototom beats (instrumental, and equally good similar though slushier 115bpm 'Whatever Your Heart Desires' flip)...'

'JASON DONOVAN 'When You Come Back To Me' PWL "So may people/Smiles on their faces/Arms full of presents/Going to places." SAW must have come very close to forgetting that Christmas was upon us. Minus the opening couplet and the chimes, this could have been released in July.'

'...JASON DONOVAN 'When You Come Back To Me (Extended)' (PWL Records PWLT 46), Stock Aitken Waterman created seasonally chiming innocuous mushy 0-119.25bpm canterer primarily for fans...'

'...SINITTA 'Cross My Broken Heart (Hi-NRG Remix)' (Fanfare 12 FANX 15), slightly faster and less flowery - though not exactly HIGH energy - 119bpm remix which seems to be yo-yoing about in the Hi-NRG chart with more support for the original...'

'RICK ASTLEY 'When I Fall In Love'. A song with a title guaranteed to send a shiver through the Spur's keeper, this is of course the B-side to Rick's current old Nat 'King' Cole song. Now it comes as a double A-side, a clever hype that works if the DJ's play along. Astley's fund of goodwill is probably in such credit right now that the smarmy men o'the airwaves will comply and Rick will still be around with this when he goes up to collect his Best newcomer award at the BPI in February.'

'Hazell Dean releases her single 'Who's Leaving Who' on March 21. Produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, the flip side features a new version of 'Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)' remixed by Phil Harding. Hazell is currently putting the finishing touches to her new album 'Always'.

'...Hazell Dean 'Who's Leaving Who' on commercial 12 inch is in a smoothly bounding new 119.5bpm Bob's Tambourine Mix (mixed in fact by Pete Hammond!)...'

'...Rick Astley's 'Together Forever' is also due in a largely instrumental 0-115bpm jack track-type House Of Love Mix (RCA PT 41818R) by Pete Hammond with 'Set It Off' "pshta pshta" hi-hats and digital punctuations but not much of Rick...'

'Hazell Dean follows up her top 20 hit 'Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)' with 'Turn It Into Love' out on September 12. Written and produced by those loveable lads Stock Aitken Waterman, the flip side features 'You're Too Good To Be True', written by Haze herself. Hazell's album 'Always', is set for release in late September.'

'...and Mel & Kim 'That's The Way It Is' (SUPETZ 117), a harder driving 118bpm starker and a sparser arrangement though hardly hydro-chloric!...'

'...Stock Aitken Waterman's commercial pressing of 'S.S. Paparazzi' contains the Hassell-Bladder and Yoyo's Dub Mixes on the B-side but has two new The Crowning King and The Boys Have A Go Back Mixes as A-side, still 124.5bpm - thanks for making me waste effort and time...'

'HAZELL DEAN 'Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)' (EMI 12EM 62), Stock Aitken Waterman-created pitter-pattering and throbbing urgent breezy 119.75bpm strident catchy wailer, identifiably in Hazell's style rather than (say) Bananarama-ish, flipped by her old 'no Fool (For Love)' in a new 110.5bpm Murray Mix (the too good to hurry mix?);'

'HAZELL DEAN 'Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)' (EMI) I think my desire to like this was greater than the actual pleasure gained. 'Who's Leaving Who' was FAB and you know that even though this is fairly Stock SAW product, they'll be bound to write another classic just as soon as she needs one.'

'JASON DONOVAN 'Nothing Can Divide Us' (PWL) Oh, the pressures of megastardom! Scott just can't seem to stop being a jerk at the moment and if he's not careful Charlene'll up and go to Brisbane. In an obvious attempt to patch things up between them, Scott has made a record under the name of Jason Donovan, clearly hoping to get it together with Charlene (or Kylie as she prefers to be known) live on 'Top Of The Pops'. This Rick Astley impression is worthy of a spot on 'Copy Cats' and will be number one from now until Scott loses his tan.'

'MEL & KIM: That's The Way It Is (Supreme) Interesting fact: Did you know that Pete Waterman (of Stock, Aitken & Waterman, who produced and wrote this record) has two £7,000 palm trees in his huge living room, along with a Ferrari that had to be hauled in there with the help of a crane? (Yes, because it's in the Rick Astley article on pages 12-13 - Quite a lot of people.) "So what?" I hear you spit. Well, that fact is far more interesting than this record which incidentally sounds a lot like another record by them. Stock Aitken & Waterman will not disappear simply because you desire them to. They're all part of a plot by the government who are trying to suffocate and confuse us all by feeding us hideous amounts of heterosexual fodder. Stock Aitken & Waterman are heavily involved in it. Off with their heads. (P.S. They do occasionally make a brilliant pop record.)'

'...Coldcut gave this column a terrific plug on Capital Radio's mid-evening "teenage" show, the presenters of which, Pat Sharp and Mick Brown have been produced by Stock Aitken Waterman singing - or, at any rate, going "whoop whoop"! - a remake of the Michael Zager Band's 'Let's All Chant'...'

'MICK AND PAT 'Let's All Chant (Something For The Kids Mix)' (PWL Records PWLT 10) Stock Aitken Waterman-produced predictable jangly pop-aimed 119.75-120bpm remake of the exactly 10 years old Michael Zager Band disco smash, "oohwer"-ed and changed now by Capital Radio DJs Mick Brown and Pat Sharp in aid of the station's annual Easter 'Help A London Child' charity appeal (the duo don't have much to do with the flip's "trumpets on the left, trombones on the right" cantering good (0-)119.5bpm 'On The Night'!).'

'...Capital Radio's Help A London Child charity boosting DJ duo, chanting Mick Brown and Pat Sharp, are pleased to be in any chart, but somehow hadn't anticipated that the first one they'd hit would be the Hi-NRG!...'

'...MICK & PAT 'On The Night (Extra Beat Boys Remix)' (PWL Records PWLT 10X B), always good in its own right, the 'Let's All Chant' flip's 119.5bpm instrumental tune now made to sound like Harry Thumann's 'Under-water' (on single-sided mailing list promo only)...'

'BANANARAMA 'I Want You Back' (London) From 'Wow' but remodelled to incorporate the vocals of new girl Jacquie O'Sullivan - although you'd be hard pressed to spot the difference; the trio's vocal sound still presents a united front. Another SAW Hit Factory production, this seems not as immediate as 'I Can't Help It' but even after one play it feels like you've been humming it for days. Anyway, it's been great to witness the development of the Nanas to a stage where they ooze with confidence, charisma and professionalism.

'...KYLIE MINOGUE 'Got To Be Certain (Extra Beat Boys Remix)' (PWL Records PWLT 12R), Jamie and Kevin (see Beats & Pieces for an rm scoop!) beef up the bumping (0-)117bpm beat with some "Rick Astley" vocal tones that are doubtless Kylie herself slowed down!...'

'...Yo Yo having left to engineer exclusively for Stock Aitken Waterman, the remixing Extra Beat Boys are now Jamie Bromfield and Kevin O'Reardon...'

'Single of the fortnight: KYLIE MINOGUE 'Got To Be Certain'. And so the debate rages on across the land. Approximately 50% of the nation at 'large' will absolutely detest this record and will blether on endlessly about how Kylie is a talentless puppet in the hands of the evil Stock, Aitken & Waterman triumvirate whose records all sound the same and it's all a sinister plot to undermine the true spirit of rock 'n' roll and take over the world or something. Meanwhile the other 50% of the nation at 'large' will consider the rather-goodness of the tune, titter for a moment at the ludicrousness of the shoes she's sporting on the sleeve and pop out to snap up a copy. Hence it'll be No. 1 for about a decade. And quite right too.'

'...Robert Civilles and David Cole, of 2 Puerto Ricans A Blackman And A Dominican have remixed Mel & Kim's US-released 'I'm The One Who Loves You'...'

'BANANARAMA: Wow! (London) These days Bananarama seem determined to be a "proper" group. They've learned to dance, they've got horrid male backing dancers and they seem very serious about being pop songstresses. It all means that they're not quite as charming as they used to be but they still make some wonderful trashy disco records. On this album (co-written by Stock/Aitken/Waterman) there are four rather brilliant songs - "I Heard A Rumour" (probably the best record ever made), "Bad For You" (suspiciously like Madonna's "Holiday"), "Once In A Lifetime" and "Love In The First Degree". The rest isn't bad either though there are a few bits where they still sound completely useless. Thank goodness for that. (8 out of 10).'

'MEL & KIM: Respectable (Supreme) The relentless jauntiness of Mel & Kim would probably go down a treat in a home for very, very sad people. For normal folk like you and I though, it's a bit like having a permanent grin nailed to your face. And the gimmicky noises and Pinky And Perky vocal effects featured here are as irritating as a talkative Weetabix.'

'Mel & Kim 'Respectable'. I know that Mel & Kim are popular with dance crews around the nation, but just to be difficult, I don't like them at all. Cloning was always a dodgy business, and these two strike me as everything that's wrong about it. Avoid.'

'BANANARAMA 'I Can't Help It (Extended Club Mix)' (London NANX 15), Stock Aitken Waterman keep their Chic influence, in the vocal pattern as well as the choppy guitar, for this Sister Sledge-style shrill 120-0bpm jittery thudder, very 'He's The Greatest Dancer', already out in the US ahead of 'Love In The First Degree' (lurching 116 2/3-0bpm 'Ecstasy (Chicago House Stylee)' flip)'

'DEAD OR ALIVE: Hooked On Love (Epic) I reckon Pete Burns might be having us all on. Each time he churns out a single which sounds exactly like their last one (only jumbled around slightly), I come to the conclusion that he's got a computer tucked away in the living room at home, which makes up Dead Or Alive tunes all day long. This time round Pete laments the fact that he's "the victim of a dangerous addiction". Oh dear. But not to worry, "baby, I can handle it," he says but only if he can find, "a good supplier". Of what, I pray? Why, love, of course.'

'MORGAN McVEY: Looking Good Diving (CBS) How can anyone with a name like Morgan McVey be allowed to make records? Listening to this just confirms my belief that Morgan should change his name and retire gracefully, never to set foot again in a recording studio. It's just horrible pop music - pointless.'

'BRILLIANT release their new single, "Love Is War" b/w "The Red Red Groovy", for WEA on February 17. The 12-inch version features an additional track - "Ruby Fruit Jungle".'

'BRILLIANT: Love Is War (WEA). Brilliant, on the other hand, know how to be cluttered and get away with it - in the name of texture. Here is a richly layered composition which, incidentally, comes as something of a surprise - dance music with a tune, dance music you can listen to! I thought everyone forgot it was possible with Frankie went to Ireland.'

'SID HAYWOODE releases her single "You'd Better Not Fool Around" b/w "Missing You", on CBS this week. The song was written by the team of Stock/Waterman/Aitken, who have previously worked with Brilliant, Princess and Dead Or Alive. Haywood's latest album is due next month.'

'OCHI BROWN: Whenever You Need Someone (Magnet). The Waterman, Stock and Aitken production team responsible for this also made the sparkling vivacious 'I'm Your Number One' for Princess. This outing is the other side of their craft - the tiresome, knucklehead electro produced Dead or Alive and Hazell Dean. Brown's vocal also has a sharp, jarring quality of which I'm not overfond.'

'BRILLIANT rush-release a new mix of their current single "It's A Man's Man's Man's world" this week. "The Trans-Global Cut" also features the original B side of the 12-inch, "Crash The Car". The band are about to record their debut album.'

'DEAD OR ALIVE have just released their first video for CBS/Fox. "Youthquake" features six promo videos - four of which have been Top 20 hits for the band. Full track listing: "I'd Do Anything", "That's The Way I Like It", "Lover Come Back To Me", "You Spin Me Round", "In Too Deep" and "My Heart Goes Bang".'

'BRILLIANT: It's A Man's Man's Man's World/Crash The Car (Food FOOD 5); Square Pic Disc FOOD 5PV; 12" FOOD 5T includes two extra tracks It's A Man's Man's Man's World (Ext Version) and It's a Dub Dub Dub World (Mad Professor Mix). First hit for June Montana (vocals), Jimi Cauty (guitar) and Youth (bass).

'DANSE SOCIETY release a special club edition mix of their single 'Say It Again' on July 26. This version also contains an extra track 'Sensimilla' on the B-side. Danse Society will be appearing at the London Marquee on August 5 and 6.'

'Danse Society 'Say It Again'. Now that it is practically impossible to break big on gigging alone, what does a poor record company do with a worthy, non matt gloss, rock band? Answer: put a bit of gloss on their cheeks. Method: dress 'em up a bit and push their records up to current endless stream of easy listening. While THE DANSE SOCIETY 'Say It Again' (Arista) take an alternative route, dipping those long black fringes into a desperate piece of DOA-style rock-NRG...'

'...Princess may have a problem, despite being massive in those few shops selected for white labels, because many influential if petty provincial soul radio DJs are so disgruntled about not being serviced with that they refuse to play it even if they do get it for free eventually (now that's a really effective promotion campaign!) ...'

'PRINCESS 'After The Love Has Gone' (Supreme Records SUPET 103, via PRT) Due in the shops by Monday, this disappointingly empty 99.5-99.66bpm rerun of the already standard Stock-Aitken-Waterman-prod/penned Princess formula - and this after only one record (and several remixes!) - is evidently the result of political pressures, and of course there are some indeed some remixes coming.' ...'

'DESIREE HESLOP, whose singing father records as James Lloyd while she's better known as Princess, has a timely exciting 103 5/6bpm Alternative Version of 'Say I'm Your Number No 1' which adds a 'Billie Jean' bass line (after an eye-cued band in the vinyl), with a semi-instrumental No 2 Mix of the original as confusingly labelled as flip ...'

'THE THREE DEGREES 'The Heaven I Need' (Supreme Records SUPET 102, via PRT) From the same team as Princess and like her selling in some lucky shops on single-sided white label ahead of release on September 16, the girls' return is a brightly snicking and ticking 110bpm choppy unison harmony pusher that at last gives them a modern, smash bound, credible sound again.'

'... Andy Heryet finds dancers at Worthing Carioca (Wed/Sat) far prefer 'They Say It's Gonna Rain' by Kerry Delius to Hazell Dean (who's now also in a percussion started 0-115bpm Zulu Mix) ...'

'DEAD OR ALIVE 'You Spin Me Round' (Epic) Yet another juddery, clattering electro-percussion track introduces us to the latest missive from last year's runners up in the jealous bitch I'm-more-gendery-bendery-than-her-dear bargain bin. I thought Boystown was dead?'

'RICK ASTLEY: Whenever You Need Somebody (RCA) I find these sort of records the most surreal. They're like cut-ups. The bass line and the drum pattern are in a big machine that's got banks of them - like Stock, Aitken and Waterman have 99 different ones - and they've got sets of lyrics with rhymes on them, like "real" rhymes with "feel", and they're put together and they find someone to sing it. It's quite incredible. I'll probably find myself completely mortalled in Fellini's disco in Stockholm and dancing to this. It may as well be anyone and if you just had the bass and drums it would sound like any track off Mel And Kim's album - but Mel And Kim are a million times more attractive and funny than him. You must admit it's a wierd voice to come out of that mouth, isn't it? He looks like he should sound like Reg Varney. I don't really like his voice and this is incredibly bland. He wasn't known before, was he? - well, his mum knew him and his friends knew him - but if this was his first record it would go to Number One and he'd be famous again. I'd hate to be him.'

'RICK ASTLEY 'When I Fall In Love'. I can understand how someone might want to cover this old (Nat King Cole standard. But he's added nothing to the song. In fact, it's got no vibe whatsoever to it.'

'SINITTA: Wicked (Fanfare) Sinitta is sporting a rather ghastly pair of thigh length boots on the cover of her new LP. It's the sort of thing one's come to expect from Sinitta. And the music's roughly what we've come to expect too ... There's the sole Stock, Aitken & Waterman contribution, the ace "I Don't Believe In Miracles", this year's hits "Right Back Where We Started From" and "Love On A Mountain Top", the new single (a "tender ballad!") "Lay Me Down Easy" and a bunch of Hi-NRG thumpers written by Stock, Aitken & Waterman's partners Peter Hammons [sic] and Ian Curnow. Sinitta has also enlisted the services of the London Boys' producer Ralf Rene Maue, an expert at turning out stonking disco "numbers". Watch out for "Hitchin' A Ride" - it'll blow your socks off! (7 out of 10).'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Word Is Out'. Kylie always manages to bring out a great dance record without sounding repetitive or samey. 'Word Is Out' is another brilliant Stock/Waterman production (you can't tell that Aitken's given them the flick!) that'll have you grooving away after one listen. If you've taken a liking to Kylie's more recent releases like 'Shocked' or 'What Do I Have To Do' then you're going to love this. She's even enlisted the help of some smooth crooner who gives this a touch of soul. Groovy!'

'WWF 'Slam Jam'. Put these meatheads in a headlock permanently. Wham Bam, thank you ma'am.'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Wouldn't Change A Thing'. I don't know. You could do anything to anybody's voice on a record. I'd like to hear her live to see if she really could sing. It sounds just like all the rest. It's just Kylie ... and her producers. It don't hit me. I like her other single, "Hand On Your Heart" - it didn't sound like a normal SAW song. I guess the drum program was different or something. She's going to go straight to number one but her singing's kinda flat - she never hits the high notes'

'SONIA 'You'll Never Stop Me Loving You'. Oh, I saw her on a 'Good Morning' show! What country was that in? Stock Aitken Waterman don't give Sonia her own identity. They should give the lady her own sound. Stock/Aitken/Waterman - I don't even like to say their name. This has been heard a thousand times before.'

'HAYWOODE: Arrival (CBS) Haywoode (or Sid, to give her her full title) seems bound to become quite a successful soul (haw not-very-haw). Her songs do sound rather a lot like Princess, though, from the slick 'n' glossy production to the energetic, dance-style soul, thus it all becomes a mite prodictable, the nearest she comes to a "surprise" being a cover of Prince's "I Wanna Be Your Lover". But with the infernally catchy "Roses" jaunting up the charts, she looks set to be around for quite a long time. (6 out of 10)'

'BIG FUN 'Can't Shake The Feeling, This is SAW doing what they do best - making disposable dance music with a cheerful face and a snappy tune. OK, the guys aren't the world's greatest singers, but it's a 'fun' chirpy number. 4/5'

'HAZELL DEAN: Always (EMI) In bite-size pieces, the wibbling synthesizers and dramatic choruses which are the stamp of a Hazell Dean record can be most palatable, and by now you're probably more than familar with the rather wonderful singles, "Who's Leaving Who", "Maybe" and "Turn It Into Love", all included on this LP. But, whereas the Queen of The White Stilettos makes spiffing music for prancing around the occasional handbag to, a whole album of high-pitched, frenzied disco tunes does become rather tiring after a while. (5 out of 10)'.

'The Twins 'All Mixed Up'. If you like Stock, Aitken,Waterman's bubblegum pop then you're going to absolutely love this. Gayle & Gillian - alias The (identical) Twins - have taken time out from their hectic 'Neighbours' schedule and followed in the footsteps of Jason, Kylie and the multitude of others that have flown to the UK and recorded a sweet pop ditty, in the hope of becoming mega famous pop stars. This song's about a boy choosing between the two of them, etc and they've even copied a bit from Kylie's hit 'Better The Devil You Know'. A grower!'

'KYLIE MINOGUE 'Hand On Your Heart'. Oh no! I'm certainly not reviewing that. I've got to?! (looks completely flabbergasted!) It's just that I don't think there's anything I could say about it - really. (Hoity toity eh viewers? Still, "fair" enough. But in case Kylie's billions of fans are wondering: This is another of those PWL tunes that seem to be picked out for Kylie. It's got tons of happy sounding twiddly bits on it and all the usual "hallmarks" of a Stock Aitken and Waterman tune and will therefore be a huge hit and quite rightly so!)

'Single of the fortnight: KYLIE MINOGUE 'Hand On Your Heart'. I much prefer this to her other stuff. The sound on this is a bit different - not dramatic - but very seventies disco. I think Kylie's acheived what a lot of people dream of. I say good on her. Am I the next Kylie? No - I write my own songs. Similarities? Well, we both have blonde hair, that's about it. I think this is quite good for her. I like this one because it does something for me - ultimate pop.'

'VARIOUS: The Hit Factory - The Best Of Stock Aitken & Waterman (Stylus); VARIOUS: The Cream Of Supreme (Supreme) Stock, Aitken and Waterman are the three songwriters and producers responsible for the insanely catchy disco that has overrun the charts of late: things like Bananarama's "Venus" and "I Heard A Rumour", Mel And Kim's "FLM", Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up", Samantha Fox's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and Sinitta's "Toy Boy". All of those included on "The Hit Factory" along with a few of their less successful moments (i.e. Mandy Smith and Carol Hitchcock - who were both successful abroad anyway) and their own hit "Roadblock". "The Cream Of Supreme" is mainly made up of songs written and produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman too. It includes Princess's first few hits and all of Mel And Kim's three singles joined together with a couple of other, rather less impressive tracks. The best bit is the last track which, though it claims to be simply Mel And Kim's "FLM" (again) is in fact a ridiculous over the top conglomeration of "FLM", "Showing Out", "Respectable" and Chic's "Le Freak". Most bizarre. (8.5 out of 10; 7.5 out of 10)'

'RICK ASTLEY: Hold Me In Your Arms (RCA) Rick Astley is the nicest man in pop. A chipper bloke, a diamond geezer and an all-round good "egg". He's also a master of the bellowing vocal "delivery", of course. Out of the 10 tracks on "Hold Me In Your Arms", three are by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, one's a cover a "cover" of an old Temptations song, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" (the only disappointing tune on the LP) and six are by Rick himself. Rick's creations include the entirely brilliant single "She Wants To Dance With Me" and the LP title track which is a swirly ballady sort of a thing and is quite the most "accomplished" song he's ever invented and will have them toppling in the towpaths for it is, of course, his current "45". But then this LP is crammed with potential singles, like "Dial My Number" (a kind of disco thumper), "I Don't Want To Be Your Lover" (a hearty bellowing "lug"ful) and "I Don't Want To Lose Her" (a spangling pop "romp"). In fact, all in all it's one of the best pop albums this year. Absolutely, definitely worth a listen! (9 out of 10)'

'BANANARAMA 'I Can't Help It'. Aaah, Bananarama, jewel in Stock, Aitken & Hawtrey's crown. Always somehow around, Bananarama make each new day a thing to look forward to. There are two sorts of Bananarama singles: good ones and very good ones and this one falls into the latter variety from the most London group of all. Capital stuff. Excellent video.'

'CLIFF RICHARD 'I Just Don't Have The Heart'. Good old Stock, Aitken .... this is Cliff's 100th single, right? He has a fantastic voice. We're not big SAW fans but this will be a hit, they've got a winning formula. This reminds me of Donna Summer, the song she did with them. They just changed the chorus. I wouldn't play this ...'

'SAMANTHA FOX 'I Only Wanna Be With You'. Why Sam would want to record this song I can't imagine - but then, it's already been a hit for Dusty Springfield, The Bay City Rollers and The Tourists, so she probably thinks she's onto something. I hope and I pray that this songs won't be a hit though, because I don't think I could bear hearing the wretched Sam blobbering it out for the next 3 months or so. The record company really should have released 'I Wanna Have Some Fun' the totally brilliant title track from the LP, rather than this bunk humbug.'

'VISION MASTERS & TONY KING feat KYLIE 'Keep On Pumpin' It Up'. (Plinkety Plonk, screech, screech. Kylie makes a guest appearance on this housey disc. A car alarm decides to set itself off outside at the same time!) It's Kylie! Is that all she does - scream? She does 'I guess I like it..' on her LP and that's brilliant. This will be a hit but I don't know why they put Kylie on it just for her scream on it at the front. It would be a hit without her. It's got a good beat though. 3.5 out of 5'

'DEAD OR ALIVE: Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know (Epic) How strange (but true)! from a sleeve acreeping and acrawling with gothic spook things (including Pete Burns in his best Bride Of Frankenstein "glad" rags) you'd be expecting some wild wierd old Gothic spook music too. Nothing so sinister: instead it's the usual Dead Or Alive frantic, zwinging, spinning dance music. Pete Burns' voice stars against an assortment of (similar) backing tracks which sound like there could be a few guest appearances from a runaway horse, a space invaders machine, a tribe of chanting warriors, several sticks of gelignite and an enthusiastic plumber. Splendid for going bonkers to down your local discotheque but not so splendid for playing just about anywhere else. (6.5 out of 10)'

'STEPS - Better The Devil You Know. A double A-side with "Better The Devil You Know" - yes, the old Kylie single which is still heralded as a classic in certain circles. Wise choice! Full review to follow!

Initial reports were that this was a double A-side to the track "Say You'll Be Mine", though it's looking like THIS is the main focus after all.

The Kylie classic from the early nineties gets a right royal reworking by her successors to the PWL nest. The vocal delivery is on a par to Kylie's! Yes I know it's a sacrilegious statement but it's true!

All in all its bright breezy classic pop which is purely inoffensive to all especially at this festive time. Being from the same production line, even though it is a good several years since its first foray, it is very similar throughout which in some ways may make you even more susceptible.

The other track, "Say You'll Be Mine" is a mere afterthought which wont help or hinder the impending repeat success of one of PWLs finest moments.'

'A-TEENS - Super Trooper. Released for the Xmas single market, this was also (interestingly) the Abba christmas single - remember the budget video with the kids holding candles? Well I do, anyway!

Already in strong circulation all over european TV, the crew hope to follow the success of their Abba covering debut "Mamma Mia" with this, stronger, release which comes in mixes from Work In Progress and Bold & Beautiful - each on that distinctly NRG-Pop tip.

Watch out for a second 12" which is due with a 7:27 minute medley of A*Teens (or rather Abba) songs, including "Gimme Gimme Gimme", "Voulez Vous, "Take A Chance On Me" and "SOS" in addition to their previous "Mamma Mia" and a brief introduction by "Super Trouper". It's masterfully blended together, often using filter effects for the key transitions, by Pierre J - not famous for his megamixing, though this isn't a 'megamix' in the traditional mix-previous-records-together style, instead being compiled at mixing desk level. The result, however interested you may be in how it was constructed, is an extremely programmable Abba medley which brings this release's rating smack up to a five star one for usability!

BPM Extended; WIP mix - 125
BPM Bold & Beautiful - 135
BPM A Teens Medley - 130 to 135'

'TINA COUSINS - Angel (Jive). Due to her recent success over the past year they'vee seen fit to let this nice little ditty see the light of day once more and have reworked it accordingly.

The extremely good Full Fat mix is still present and still sounds as fresh as it was first time around. Included this time are a Tall Paul mix, which is decidely instrumental and meant for underground respect rather than commercial value. Also included are versions from Science Friction. Their vocal mix in my opinion is the best addition to the package. It's fresh and also has great breakdown utilising one of Mickey Finn's old anthems.

It's a well reworked package, but whether or not it will give another major hit remains to be seen.

BPM M Fishhead 12inch - 129
BPM M WIP Remix - 138
BPM M Radio Edit - 125.3
BPM H Tall Paul - 140
BPM H Mount Rushmore - 129.2
BPM H Science Friction - 140'

'STEPS - After The Love Has Gone (Jive). This has got to be one of the easiest reviews anyone has to write - by now you now the Steps formula of the very best elements from the good old PWL sound merged craftfully with that golden Abba sound. Quite how they do it I don't know, but I take my hat off to the team for pulling it off and delivering yet more pop tunes with longevity as well as instant appeal.

Personally this one doesn't hold the same 'classic' appeal as their previous 'One For Sorrow' (still their finest hour in my book) but, as a number of people have been quick to comment in the short space of time since this was promoed, has to be the act's most Abba-esque release to date. Undoubtedly a chart hit, so pop jocks you know what to do!

BPM M Work In Progress - 127.6
BPM M Radio - 122.5'

'STEPS: Steptacular. CLAIRE, H, Faye, Lee and Lisa dance back into the charts with their second Abba-esque album.

The fab fiveis Steptacular kicks off with one of their biggest hits, a cover of the Bee-Gees Tragedy.

It sets the scene for the rest of the album, hip-shaking pop thatill have mums and dads tripping the light fantastic at this yearis Christmas party. Loveis got a hold on my heart, another chart success, is next out the blocks and is followed by a dozen other disco delights from Never Say Never Again to I Surrender.

If youive got the first album, or youive listened to the radio during the last 18 months, youill know what to expect.

Plenty of get up and dance hits that are sure to rock the top 10 singles chart.

You either love Steps or hate them but this album is great fun and destined for number one.'

'STEPS: Steptacular (Jive). (appalling) The world of Steps is an apocalyptic one. Two dopey blokes and three thin women have been hand-reared in Pete Waterman's pop laboratory in order to travel the globe and enslave innocent children with their squeaky wailing and kid-size T-shirts. Their second album, currently topping the charts, is an ominous document. Straining, multi-tracked helium voices are backed by cheesy metallic pizzicatos, strangled plastic guitars and satanic bells, while the bland doof-tss-doof-tss of the dancey tracks alternates nauseatingly with emasculated 80s power-balladry. The Bee Gees' Tragedy gets its aerobicised shrink-wash here, and most of the other material is sewn together from rotting corpses. The lyrics, meanwhile, read as if badly translated from the Japanese. But in our filthy modern times, perhaps we should cherish Steps' cleanliness and innocence: after all, only one line `Don't try to do it gently just to please me' seems to refer directly to sexual intercourse.'

'STEPS: Steptacular (Jive). ONE SHOULDN'T get too steamed up by what is after all just chaste, Barbie doll love songs for the under-tens but there's something about Pete Waterman's creation Steps that's as sinister as the Stepford Wives. Steps make you nostalgic for the time when bad pop music, from George Michael to Rick Astley, at least had the grace to rip off black music. But Steps just recycle the plastic textures of all-white pop, be it the Bee Gees (Tragedy) or Abba (I Surrender). Steptacular, their second album, is one ethnically cleansed record. Oppressively hygienic, Steps represent the ultimate removal of any lingering trace of subversion or alien elements in pop music. This is the soundtrack to the market- driven state of benign totalitarianism we all live in today. I'm scared. (1/10)'

'STEPS: Steptacular (Jive) - It's amazing what you can do with recycled Bananarama and some natty dancing. But there you go. 9/10'

'STEPS Steptacular (Jive). GIVEN Steps' unpretentious pop credentials, it's difficult to imagine any of the five members "going indie" or revealing a pornographic past, although smiley blonde one H has recently exposed his bare behind to readers of gay magazine Attitude. Produced by Eighties supremo Pete Waterman, this second album of old-fashioned, lightweight disco comes just a year after the first, which is still selling healthily.

Make it Easy on Me is the song most likely to cause slow dancing at a wedding reception, Love's Got a Hold on My Heart is the track most likely to win the Eurovision Song Contest.

Steps are the musical equivalent of Channel 5 soap Sunset Beach, candyfloss moppets spouting their rehashed lines with great exuberance and little soul. But both have become successful thanks to the knowing irony that characterises much of Nineties popular culture. To their fans, Steps are apparently so bad that they've come a full circle and are actually good. If they carry on at this rate they may well become the best band on the planet.'

'Stepping into the mobile disco brink come Steps with Steptacular (Jive 0159442 £15.99). Considering that Steps, the latest Pete Waterman phenomenon, are aimed at the teen market, they are a menopausal-looking bunch - three girls who exude the aura of embittered 45-year-old divorcees, and two guys whose smiles can't get past security to reach their eyes. Moreover, if looking at Steps is unnerving, listening to them is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you hope to have only the once.'

'STEPS After The Love Has Gone (Jive). Yet more Abba sound-aliking from the Steps crew. This dance routine's a bit tricky though. 9/10'

'STEPS 'After The Love Has Gone' (Jive). They couldn't sound more like Abba if they tried. This one, nicely timed to satisfy fans until the UK arena tour, has a hint of the Super Swede's `One of Us' and is a taster for the album `Steptacular', out on October 25. And just for a change, H Step has a solo song as one of the extra CD tracks.'

'TINA COUSINS: Angel. Super dance track that is guaranteed to get you moving on the dancefloor. The song itself is quite simple but great production emphasises Tina's sultry vocals. Get grooving.'

'STEPS: Love's Got A Hold On My Heart. SUMMER'S here and so is Steps with a brand-new single. It's the first taste of the new album - and is by far their best record to date. Lead vocals by Faye and Claire continue the Abba-style sound, but it sounds more grown up with a swing-beat element that will get you all dancing around.'

'STEPS: Love's Got A Hold On My Heart (Jive): WHATEVER your feelings about Steps, there's no denying they've perfected that cross-generational, radio-friendly pop trick. Radio play for this will reach meltdown faster than a 99 as summer drags on.'

'The perma-tanned Steps may be feted more for their dance routines and astonishingly bad dress sense than any hint of musical ability, but Love's Got a Hold of my Heart, the first single from their soon-to-bereleased second album, is a fantastic slice of chirpy, Abba-tastic pop that should cheer up even the meanest cynics. It's producer Pete Waterman at his best, displaying the pop nous that once blessed Kylie and Jason and it shimmies along on a wash of Day-Glo synths, big beats and an epic singalong chorus. Laugh if you want to, but you'll be singing this all summer.'

'STEPS: Love's Got A Hold On My Heart (Jive). If they sing any higher they'll sound like Pinky & Perky. The guys already look like them of course. 8/10.'

'STEPS - Love's Got A Hold Of My Heart (Jive) ****. The next phase of the Steps story is about to unfold as this is the first track to be lifted from the fun fives forthcoming new album. Promoed to DJ's with just a "W.I.P Off The Wall" mix that basically just houses-up the original and a Radio edit, this is no great departure from their previous winning sound and will no doubt provide Steps with yet another Top 10 hit if not Top 5. **** KJ - Released: 05 July 1999 - BPM: Radio; W.I.P. 129.5

'TINA COUSINS - Forever (Jive) ****. Written by the Topham/Twigg team, who were also responsible for Tina's previous singles, "Pray" and "Killing Time", this (135bpm) Euro sounding plodder, also lifted from the debut album "Killing Time" is very much in the same vein as her last releases. To be honest, in its album mix, you will be able to take or leave it as it's not really strong enough to bring that extra measure of success that seems to be so elusive. UPDATE FROM JP: This should quite easily be her fourth hit single. The song is strong and has radio potential as well as club appeal. The club package has a good selection of varied mixes. The WIP boys provide the usual bouncy interpretation which always fares so well whilst the Klubbheads provide a more tough edged mix which will make it appeal to those harder floors out there. Looking Good! **** KJ/JP - Released: 21 Jun 1999 - BPM: Radio; Work In Progress 133.8 - Klubbheads mixes 134

'CLEOPATRA B*WITCHED AND BILL,STEPS, TINA COUSINS - Thank Abba For The Music (Epic) ****. If ever there was a SUREFIRE NUMBER ONE, then this has got to be it! As performed at the Brits '99, this is basically a neat little medley of Abba songs featuring "Take a chance on me", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and "Thank you for the music". I'm not saying that this will win any awards or go down in the annuals of pop history as a classic but as a slice of pure pop fun it is incredible infectious and DJ's are bound to be asked for this for a very long time to come, pity a little more imagination was not used in the mix. Proceeds will benefit the Brits Trust. KJ - Released: 29 Mar 1999 - BPM: Long Version 107 to 99.6

'STEPS, TINA COUSINS, CLEOPATRA, B*WITCHED & BILLIE: Thank Abba For The Music (Epic ABCD1). Between them this line-up could well have clocked up nine number one singles by the time this Brits Trust-supporting single hits the stores. Combine that with Abba's own nine UK chart-toppers and there seems little doubt of this track's success. However, it only highlights how undistinctive the participants - originally to be named The Supertroopers - are, while the final line thanking "Abba for the music" jars somewhat.'

'STEPS, TINA COUSINS, CLEOPATRA, B*WITCHED & BILLIE - THANK ABBA FOR THE MUSIC. This has to be one of the worst records ever released. Nobody can do cover versions of Abba songs because the originals were the definitive version. Rather than bring something fresh, this revels in lazy mediocrity. *'

'STEPS, TINA COUSINS, CLEOPATRA, B*WITCHED & BILLIE - THANK ABBA FOR THE MUSIC (Epic). What are the chances of anyone thanking this mob for their music in 20 years time? Slim to none, I reckon. OK, Billie's current single is passable and B*Witched are certainly likeable, but memorable - I don't think so. Here we have the modern pop stars paying tribute to the super Swedes with a medley of their finest hits. Perhaps the best tribute would have been to leave the memory of Abba untarnished.'

'ELLIE CAMPBELL: Sweet Lies. Ellie Campbell is a new Northern soul singer and her first single is a straight forward mid-tempo pop ballad. Nowt wrong with that. Erm, that's it really. Oh, and she's being looked after by the same genius behind Steps, so hopefully more top choons are just around the corner. 3 out of 5.'

'THE SUPERTROUPERS: Thank Abba For The Music. This POPS! (Is that a word? It is now.) Four massive choons from 70s legends Abba performed by four fantastic pop acts from the nineties - what can go wrong? Well, very little actually. The medley could be stitched together more smoothly, and the title is a little cheesy, but otherwise this is what great pop music is all about. 5 out of 5.'

'Various: Thank Abba For the Music (Epic). By popular teenage demand, the combination of B*Witched, Bille, Steps, Cleopatra and Tina Cousins whizz through a medley of Abba standards that were hits before their mothers were born. They do them with a faithfulness that suggests they will be at the front of the queue on April 6 when Abba's Singles Collection is released. This features all Abba hits from 1972-1982 and celebrates the 25th anniversary of their Eurovision win with Waterloo in 1974. CL'

'TINA COUSINS: Killin' Time. The most obscure artist at the Brits (not counting Belle & Sebastian) returns with a new version of her modest hit from last year. Killin' Time is a faithless-type dance thunderer which sounds a bit like Steps in a bad mood. Not a bad way of killin' four minutes and five seconds, but it's not exactly pants-on-fire excitement ahoy. 3 out of 5.'

'ELLIE CAMPBELL 'Sweet Lies'. Backed by the same guy who gave us Steps, Ellie is pop personified and this lovely tune doesn't let her down. If that's not enough for you, J Five guests on the B-side!'

'TINA COUSINS 'Killing Time'. Tina leaves Sash! behind for this top tune. It's lightly haunting and very similar to Emmie's More Than This.

'Steps 'BETTER BEST FORGOTTEN'.
Sounds like? This one's a lot different from the last couple of songs but it's still very Steps! This song sounds even more like ABBA than their other songs - if you can believe that!
A hit? Definitely! They can't put a foot wrong at the moment, and long may that continue! I love 'em!
Anything else? Steps really are brilliant - I'm sure someone, somewhere will make up a adnce for this one. It's really catchy, and a definite winner! Verdict: Turn It Up!'

'SINGLE OF THE WEEK: STEPS: Better Best Forgotten (Ebul/Jive 0519212). The debate over whether Belle & Sebastian or Steps most deserved the Brits best newcomer award is likely to run for weeks - or at least until the bona-fide newcomers (B&S are recording their fourth album) make their expected number one debut with this record. This predictably Abba-sounding track builds energetically to reach its adrenaline-filled peak in a hook-laden, singalong chorus. The group really cannot put a foot wrong at present, evidenced by Heartbeat/Tragedy having now outsold every Abba single in the UK. Those who have other favourite tracks from the Step One album should note that this is the fans' live favourite.'

'STEPS: Better Best Forgotten . Single-Too-Far Syndrome™ is a common ailment that affects many pop groups, and although this is only the fifth cut from Step One, the initial rish of excitement is obviously fading slightly. Let's face it, if you haven't already been converted to the god-like genius that is Steps, this chunk of chirpy pop will not change matters. 4 out of 5.'

'STEPS - Better Best Forgotten. Another top slice of perfect pop from Big!'s best mates. If you're one of the millions who bought Step One, you'll already know how great this tune is. If you didn't, then this is Steps doing what they do best - making spangly pop tunes. Buy It.'

'JOHNNY & DENISE - ESPECIALLY FOR YOU (RCA). The nations favourite TV couple (sorry Richard and Judy) make their bid to enter the Rock'n'Roll hall of fame. The step from small screen to vinyl nearly always ends in disaster (step forward Tracy Shaw, Will Mellor, Anita Dobson etc), but the Big Breakfast duo are in a different league. Everyone loves Johnny & Denise, they can't make a truly awful song any worse than it was in the Jason & Kylie days AND it's all in the name of charidee. One songs's enough though, guys. Please.'

'Steps 'HEARTBEAT'. Sounds like? Melissa: It's got a really good tune. This is great, actually. Claire has got a lovely voice - she can really sing. Mariama: It's wierd because the first bit and the chorus sound like two totally different songs, then it comes together. But they can really sing and we give a lot of respect to them for that. A hit? Melissa: I think it'll be a huuuge Chirstmas hit. Mariama: Good one, guys - it's good and the vocals are completely brill!
Verdict: Turn It Up!'

'STEPS: HEARTBEAT/TRAGEDY. What is this?: Both tracks, Tragedy and Heartbeat, are corkers! Although we lurrrve Heartbeat best of all! It's one heck if a song from their album Step One. A real ballad with great lyrics and a fantastic chorus which you can croon along too with no probs. Nice one, Steps!

'Single of the fortnight: STEPS: Heartbeat/Tragedy. Two Steps to heaven. Step one: play track one. Step two: play track two. Heartbeat is one of the best slowies from Step One, while Tragedy is the fantastically over-the-top Steps cover from the Bee Gees' tribute album. Together, they make the spangliest parcel of pop since ... well, since the last Steps single. In just under a year, Steps have come from being tragic 5,6,7,8 line-dancers to everyone's favourite group, and it's easy to see why. 5 out of 5.'

'TINA COUSINS: Pray (Jive/Eastern Bloc 0519162). Following her success with Sash! on the number two Mysterious Times, dance diva Cousins releases her solo debut with this upbeat pop-house track. The Topham/Twigg composition is not a million miles from Sash!’s Euro-house sound, though Pete Waterman, the force behind Cousins, is determined that she will leave her former collaborator in the shade. Rating **'

'TINA COUSINS - Pray. Former Essex hairdresser Tina goes back to her roots with this Euro, solo (Pete Waterman-stable) techno effort. Sash? Never heard of him. 1 out of 3.'

'TINA COUSINS - Pray (Jive/EBUL) *****. The time has come for Tina to grab at the success which has been thrown her way. Before Sash gave her her big break, Tina was producing quality music but gaining little recognition or success - very unjust indeed. Now she has a platform to work from it is essential that she hits the chart hard. 'Pray' is a splendid pop tune with thanks to the input of former Loveland people W.I.P. - they have given it that slight euro pop edge and made it a record full of feel. Some have pointed out the lack of harder club mixes to encourage sustained all round chart support but I feel the more airplay and commercial approach will bring the rich rewards that she so justly deserves. Only a top five place will do. ***** JP - Released: 26 Oct 1998 - BPM: Work In Progress 134 - Original 129.8'

'STEPS 'One For Sorrow' (Jive/Liberation). Generated by computers for a single-digit-IQ audience, the daleks from Dr Who have more soul than this song. The fun comes when you unfold the 'dance instructions' included with the disc, which shows the five Steps recuits (incidentally, can anyone hear any contribution from the male members of the band here?) apparently showing us the semaphore code for "please come over here and beat the crap out of me." At least, that'll be the likely result if you try it in public. Don't say we didn't warn you. HIT'

'STEPS 'One For Sorrow' (Liberation). Aaah, it's time for the ballad (very Abba circa One Of Us) where they prove they can sing, forgetting that we don't care. We love Steps just for being cute, dancing in synch and the Eurovision-styled dance pop remixes like those delivered on CD2 of this release.'

'STEPS 'Step One'.
What's on it: 11 absolute stonkers! This is the first album by Steps and it should be massive cos it's excellent. We can't stop playing it cos we love is so much! Here are our faves off the pop album of the fortnight!
Last Thing On My Mind: You know this one and it starts the album off with a whopping bang!
5,6,7,8: The Steps gang much be fed up with performing this one time and time again. It's not out fave but it's still good to hear again!
Heartbeat: This is the best song. It's a slowie with Clare on vocals. If it's released at Christmas it could well be a number one!
This Heart Will Love Again: A bit of sad song about splitting up with someone. But loads of backing vocals you can join in with!
Better Best Forgotten: Loads of Woahs and Waheys here. It's sure to put you ina funky mood!
Stay With Me: The gang finish with a right old slowie on their first album. It's very moody and just ripe for smooching to!

'Steps 'Step One' (Jive). LATEST pop sensations Steps look so pristine, fresh and innocent it's tempting think that they're clandestine drug abusers and perverts on a scale to shame Marilyn Manson. They have at least one secret: the man behind their brace of top 10 singles here, number one hits in Belgium and Australia, and this debut album is producer Pete Waterman, who helped jump start the careers of Kylie Minogue and sundry others in his Eighties heyday. There is something curiously old-fashioned about Step One. Each of the five Steps - Lisa, Faye, Claire, Lee and H - has a showbiz background, and the emphasis is on clean-living fun. With the exception of the PG-rated Experienced, there's nothing salacious or wannabe grown-up, in marked contrast to the leering machismo of Peter Andre, or the in-yer-trousers aggression of All Saints. The subject matter is predictable - puppy love found, puppy love lost and line-dancing - but there's something sweetly refreshing in that. Likewise the music. Where Steps' peers employ sophisticated production work and borrow idioms from hip hop and jungle, Waterman goes for a pleasingly medium-wave-friendly tinny sound and simply structured songs that owe more than a passing debt to the oeuvre of Abba. How well this will go down with young teenagers reared on spunkier fare is questionable - but it should certainly appeal to anyone interested in the current bout of Eighties revivalism. Of course, much of the record is unbearably irritating and you wouldn't put money on the group surviving to make another album. No matter. Such is the way of pop. At least half the tracks stay on the right side of a thin line: that is, they're fantastically catchy.'

'STEPS 'Step One' (Jive 0519112, 15.99). "LIFE is always sunny in Stepsworld" according to the Steps press release, a document so relentlessly upbeat it would probably give Nicky Wire heart failure. A five-piece group of fresh-faced girls and boys recruited by manager Tim Byrne via an advertisement in The Stage, and helped on their way by 1980s pop Svengali Pete Waterman, Steps have already demonstrated an eerie populist appeal with a string of hit singles - 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind and One For Sorrow - all included here. But it is interesting to note how much care and pride has gone into assembling the rest of their first album, Step One. A collection of infectious disco tunes and smoochy ballads, all very modern-sounding but influenced here and there by Abba, it is clearly destined for extended success in what is rapidly turning into a golden era of post-Spice pop.'

'STEPS 'Step One' (Jive). Debut outing for the grinning fivesome with scary dance routines. Pete Waterman is the Svengali behind them, and sure enough the antiseptic synth sound recalls a time when his acts dominated the Top 40. All of which either cause for celebration or enough to being you out in a cold sweat depending on how you remember the SAW empire. It's all very slick and professional, but the "new ABBA" comparisons are ridiculously flattering.'

'Single of the fortnight: STEPS: One For Sorrow Over the Foothills of Fun, you'll find the Mountain of Melody. Climb to the Peak of Poppitude and who'll be waiting for you? Steps, of course, welcoming you to their shiny happy world of 100% pure pop! With a smile, a song and a shake of the shoulders, the feisty five beckon you in to join their party. Even when singing a song called One For Sorrow, Steps sparkle like no-one else on Planet Pop. 5 out of 5.'

'STEPS 'One For Sorrow'.
What it sounds like? Another little Abba-esque number - think Winner Takes It All. The pace has been slowed down slightly, but this tuneful treat will still put a smile on your face.
Will there be another dance routine? You bet. Dig mum's flares out of the cupboard si you can join in! It's pop all the way up the charts for this tune, and we love it! 4 out of 5.'

'STEPS: Last Thing On My Mind (Jive 0518492) In a week flush with singles this rises above the competition for its sheer audacity and boldness. This track - which gives more than a nod in the direction of Abba - is a welcome and surprisingly enjoyable diversion from the line-dancing pop sensation 5,6,7,8, which sold more than 300,000 units. It proves Steps are the Kings and Queens of boogie nights to come and, while it will find initially low support at radio, expect that trend to be reversed when they win even more fans over. ****'

KALEEF: Sands Of Time (Unity/Jive Unity016CD). The Rochdale rap quintet who rose to brief prominence a couple of years back as Kaliphz, make a bid for some post-Xmas chart action with this Puff Daddy-styled tragi-rap smoothed over Clannad's theme to Harry's Game. ***

'HAPPY CLAPPERS: Never Again (Coliseum/ Shindig 0630 171502). The band who have become club and chart favourites, return with another mighty anthem featuring the soaring vocals of Sandra Edwards. ***'

'In My Dreams [hi-nrg/12"] Johnna Prod. Pete Waterman. (PWL/UK; 136bpm) Magic returns to the PWL hit factory with this glitzy new release. Okay Brian Perry, you were right, Stock & Aitken were NOT the brains behind the priceless productions of past ... After all, Pete Waterman is writing these fabulous original tracks unlike the "cover boys". A mature PWL sound is evident here - higher BPM, galloping basslines a-la Almighty's style. Track has a wonderful hook and style to the groove. Defiantly a big release for the "All Boys" clan. By the way, the full CD release "Pride" is wonderful! ***'

'Johnna Pride, Prod. Steve Rodway (PWL; UK; 132 BPM). Now here's a superbly crafted and expertly mastered gay anthem if I've ever heard one!! From the capable hands of Pete Waterman (of Stock/Aitken/Waterman fame), comes a dynamite and exquisite offering of pure HiNRG. The vocals supplied by newcomer Johnna fit in perfectly with this lush and happy composition. A MUST for every "happy" DJ! ****'

'Pride - Johnna (PWL International): The oddly-named songstress hails from Pennsylvania, but this sounds like it comes straight from the heart of Europe with predigested house and techno rhythms, poppy hooks galore and the name Waterman, synonymous with pop-dance, lurking in the studio credits. Of its kind, this is extremely well-crafted music - the surging title track could even be one of M People's cast-offs. OK, Johnna is not pushing back any barriers, but there are a few good tunes and grooves, so who's complaining?'

'FRAMPTON HILL: I Like The Way (Coliseum/PWL Toga 008LD). The London trio have taken the Mark Morrison route minus the attitude, with a variety of hip hop and soul influences. **'

'Shaft - Shine (Coliseum): Where Isaac Hayes sung about the sex machine getting the chicks, Shine offers "hands in the air if you wanna get paid, make some noise if you wanna get laid." A good indication of where this track is at. A 90s take of the disco epic, it starts like the original, funky and a little seedy, then goes all over the place - house beats, Shine's gang-banging rap, Johnny Jay on backing vocals, the "who is the man" chorus, and some scratching. The beat, the orchestration, and Isaac's soul-pimp sound have been lost'

'...HAPPY CLAPPERS 'Can't Help It' (Coliseum Recordings/Shindig/PWL International TOGA 004T), wailing Sandra Edwards dovetails into a Tony Rallo-ish chorus and gospel keyboards through composer/producer Chris Scott's frisky joyous 126.2bpm Original 12", promo twin-packed with less spontaneous 126.2bpm Grant Nelson's Trinity Remix, breezier gospelish 126bpm Bagheads Club Mix, bubbly pattering 131.9bpm Pete 'Shaker' Bones Mix, lushly keyboarded then unexpectedly percussive bounding ultra exciting 0-127.2-127bpm Loosse Vocal Dub, rhythmically similar 127bpm Vegas Bassment Pressure Dub, rattling frantic 140.2bpm Candy Girls Remix...'

'HAPPY CLAPPERS: Can't Help It (Shindig/PWL TOGA 004CD), Stirring stuff to follow the success of I Believe. Sandra Edwards' mighty vocals and a powerful rhythm make this a delight. ****'

'...BIANCA KINANE 'All The Lover I Need' (Coliseum Recordings/PWL International TOGA 003TJ), big-voiced wailing husky Tipperary teenager's tuneful debut, a more distinctive jolting jaunty 105bpm US-style jiggler on CD sampler, given the blandly-bounding house treatment on 12-inch (promo at any rate) with 126.9bpm Raw Deal Club Mix and Dub, frantic fluttery 137-0bpm Ape Remix...'

'...JOHNNA 'In My Dreams' (PWL Int PWL 325T), New York blonde's Euro-style jerkily galloping 139.8bpm Good Girls Club and 139.4bpm Dub Mixes, with an already much-used lilt...'

'...5AM 'Heaven' (Coliseum Recordings/PWL Int TOGA 002T), harmonising. cooing and squawking Brummy girl and two guys' r&b chart-aimed Loose Ends-like slinky lurching 97.7bpm Heaven On A String, superb gospelishly wailed rolling 0-97.4bpm Bagheads Flava, similar 0-97.8bpm Chillin', interminably introed then lushly loping 122.1-121.8bpm Movers & Shakers (Notloveland) Mixes...'

'...With pre-release orders of more than 200,000, the Manchester United Football Squad's Move Move Move (The Red Tribe) single seems destined to be a huge hit regardless of whether or not they win the league/or FA Cup - and regardless of its content. While their 1994 chart topper Come On You Reds was based on a Status Quo single, their latest sounds disturbingly like a 2 Unlimited cast-off.'

'BIANCA KINANE: All The Lover I Need (PWL 326CD). The PWL stable is bubbling with new talent at the moment and this 19-year-old Irish singer - who debuts with a hugely appealing R&B song - is no exception. ***'

'JOHNNA: In My Dreams (PWL 0603147022). After a stunning opening, this doesn't quite hit the same heights again but the New York-based female does enough to show Americans can deliver quality Europop. ***'

'5AM: Heaven (Coliseum/PWL 7 06301 469125). A classy soul number is given a wholehearted performance by the Birmingham trio who include former Musical Youth member Michael Grant in their ranks. *****'

'...MIDI EXPRESS 'Chase' (Labello Dance LAD 26T, WM), Giorgio Moroder's synth burnled 1979 electro instrumental, promoed since October as both 'Future' and 'The Phuture', now twinpacked in "ooh why" lulled swirly then fierce percussive churning 139.1-139-0-139.1 bpm Transformer (TWA Remix), more Moroder-like chugging original 128.9 bpm Lost In Space (with a vocal version when first promoed alone), Michael Thompson "the future" moaned blippy pulsing 129.7bpm Chase The Dragon and twittery phasing jiggled 129.7bpm Ticket To Hell Mixes...'

'99th FLOOR ELEVATORS: I'll Be There (PWL/Labello LAD25CD1/2). It's got that Euro vibe as well as a bouncing techno drumbeat and obligatory hands in the air bit. Could be a hit. ***'

'...D.O.S.E. featuring Mark E Smith 'Plug Myself In (The Overdose Mixes)' (Coliseum Recordings TOGA 001TJX), bouncily driving busy thobber in sawing strings started then tin cans tapped noisily ever building 0-124.7-124.6bpm Missing Link - Symphonic Mix and nasty blippily jittered surging 0-124.9-0-124.8bpm Missing Link - Dirty Mix, launching PWL's new Manchester logo...'

'...SYBIL 'So Tired Of Being Alone' (PWL Int PWL324T), dull Al Green remake's calmly loping 119.5bpm Original, denser 119.7bpm Notloveland Mixes, stuttery tapping 136.7bpm Good Girls, brighter (but too short) slinky tapping 99.7bpm Johnny Jay Remixes...'

'...LOVELAND featuring the voice of Rachel McFarlane 'I Need Somebody ('95 Remixes)' (Eastern Bloc Records/PWL International BLOC 23T, WM), January's hit remake of the 1987 Kechia Jenkins garage classic reissued now with Paul Gotel's long jerkilly episodic then jauntily plonked romping 0-131.7-1-131.5-131.4-9bpm Embryonic Soundscape and spikier fluttery 0-131.4-0-131.5-131.4-0bpm Trance Inducing Mixes building fantastic vocal power through their second half, promoed in a twinpack sleeve joined seperately by the moodier wailing 54.5-0-124.2-124bpm Notloveland Ironmen Vocal Mix, galloping frantic 130.2bpm Iron Dub and terrific chunkily cantering gospel-ish 0-123.8bpm One Family Remix...'

'2 UNLIMITED: Hits Unlimited (PWL HF47CD). A storming 16-track collection of pop/rave classics cataloguing the incredible impact Dutch duo Anita and Ray have had since 1991. The inclusion of European versions, with added rap, will be a bonus for fans. ****'

'LOVELAND ftg RACHEL MCFARLENE: I Need Somebody (Eastern Bloc/PWL BLOC23T JX). Another release for this massive club hit, which notched up a 21 chart position in January. Top 10 this time around. ****'

'...2 UNLIMITED 'Do What's Good For Me' (PWL Continental PWLT 322), synth stabbed squawker's lurching cheesy 132.7bpm Extended Mix, chugging blippy 132.8-0bpm X-Out Remix, bounding fluttery 132.9bpm Alex Party Remix, subtle throbbing progressive 129.9-129.8bpm Aural Pleasure Mix, and a 'Get Ready For This/Twilight Zone/Tribal Dance/No Limit/The Real Thing' medleying 127.7-129.4-130-140.5-142.8bpm '2U Megamix', on two promos but possibly out just as two CDs...'

'THE HAPPY CLAPPERS: I Believe (Shindig/PWL Shin9TJXB). A re-release for this up tempo happy house anthem that proved so popular in Ibiza. ****'

'VOICES OF PUBLIC DEMAND: Celebrate The World (PWL PPD13CD). The public seem to love this type of chunky house track, an uplifting message with remixes by Lenny Fontana and 88.3. ***'

'...QUARTZ LOCK featuring LONNIE GORDON 'Love Eviction' (X:Plode/PWL International BANG 2T, WM), gritty diva scolded oldie from 1988 (when around 109bpm) remixed now across three seperate promos in frantic blippy techno 0-143.7-143.6bpm Tony De Vit V2 Remix, Crystal Waters-ish classy strutting 130.2-0bpm Banquet Dub Tweakin' Mix, 130.2bpm Quartz Lock OPM Mix, wriggly tinkling 129.9-129.7-0bpm 12" Master/Watermill Club Mix, 129.8-129.7-0bpm Radio Edit, 129.7-129.5-0bpm Instrumental...'

'...JOHNNA 'Let The Spirit Move You' (PWL International PWLT 321, WM), moaning Philadelphian female's Euro galloper promoed simply with repetitive anthemic choral title line washed 0-145.3bpm Spooki Summer and more frantically bleeped fluttery driving 146.8bpm Tony De Vit Trade Mixes (although there may well be further mixes added commercially)...'

'2 UNLIMITED: Do What's Good For Me (PWL PW 322). Anita and Ray go for a harder-edged techno sound, resulting in a less radio-friendly track than many of their recent releases. ***'

'...Maintaining an nrgetic vibe for a little longer, we must admit to shamelessy twirlin' and twitchin' around the coffee table these days to the miller/waterman high-octane refurbishing of quartz lock's 1988 face-cracker "Love Eviction." The two accelerate the easy, quasi-freestyle pace of the original recording to a heart-racing but exhilarating speed. Lonnie Gordon is the diva in residence, spewing the song's empowering tale of a woman's emancipation from spousal abuse wih infectious conviction. Her no-holds-barred performance makes us long for a new album from her. Perhaps this record will remind someone at a label of her ability to stand head and shoulders above the pack of wannabe divas. This new version of "Love Eviction" christens the birth of PWL-UK subsidiary X:PLODE Records...'

'TONY DE VIT: To The Limit (Xplode BANG1CD). Pounding techno energy to get the sweat dripping. Expect a brief flurry of sales because jocks will love this, but it won't get enough radio support to sustain a lengthy chart run. ***'

'...LOVELAND featuring the voice of Rachel McFarlane 'The Wonder Of Love' (Eastern Bloc/PWL International BLOC22TJ/TJX), sultry soaring Rachel wailed classy strider's chunky 0-123.6-123.5bpm Lift And Seperate Mix, sometimes Robin S-ishly plopped more disjointedly surging 0-123.7bpm Loveland's Full On Vocal Mix and fluttery tapping 129.8bpm Loveland Dub, the latter on a seperate promo with Joe T. Vannelli's quavery spurting 124.1-0bpm Vannelli Dubby Mix, jittery scampering 125-0bpm Vannelli Corvette and organ wheezed stuttery jerkily jumping 124.3bpm Good Girl Mix...'

'...The official release of ex-BOY KRAZY lead JOHNNA CUMMINGS' solo debut on PWL, 'Let the Spirit Move You', is due in early January, sporting brand new mixes by the man himself, Pete Waterman...'

'ATLANTIC OCEAN 'Music Is A Passion' (Eastern Bloc Records BLOC 017, via Warner Music) Prodded by some stuttery scatting and wailing girls, this fantastically infectious breezy galloper has frantically speeding 138.5bpm Pegasus Vocal, cheerfully raving 132-131.9bpm Evolution's Deep 6, synth farted rattling jaunty 135.9-135.8bpm Tall Paul's No Sweetners and jittery nagging 138.4bpm Pegasus Club Dub Mixes, sure to be big. (MR **)'

'#2 (BREAKER'S CHART) FKW: Never Gonna Give You Up (PWL International) UK/Italy debut. Producer: A.Conte. Publisher: All Boys Music. Writer: Aitken/Waterman/Stock. Notes: Sung by British-born Steve Lee, it is a cover of the Rick Astley worldwide smash. A small Italian label sent a copy to PWL for approval and within a day they snapped it up for British release. Album: next year.'

'...FKW 'Never Gonna Give You Up' (PWL Int. PWLT 273), Rick Astley remake's East Side Beat style galloping Hi-NRG 126.2bpm Team, stuttery 129.7bpm Roll, Goodmen-ish 129.8bpm Drum, cantering 126.1bpm Garage Mixes...'

'...FKW 'Never Gonna' (It. Discobox Records Italy DB 1), KWS inspired Rick Astley remake's East Side Beat style galloping Hi-NRG 126.2bpm Team, stuttery 129.7bpm Roll, Goodmen-ish 129.8bpm Drum, cantering 126.1bpm Garage Mixes...'

'FKW 'Never Gonna' (PWL). Has it been so long since Rick Astley's hit that it is time for an Italian cover version? Unless you're really into that kind of thing skip the A side and head for the Drum Mix which is unashamedly borrows The Goodmen's bashing percussion ideas to create a tough instrumental well worth checking out'

'ONE MORE TIME: Highland (PWL Int./PWL 251). The harmonies, the chorus, the sheer anthemic joy of it all...whether calculated or not, this record exhibits many of the qualities of Abba's finest songs, so it is no surprise to find there is indeed a family connection. But while the principal elements are all in place, the arrangement is a little empty. With Abba you were aware of little devices placed in the mix - counter harmonies, piano phrases, and the like - but this lacks those touches and thus the warmth of a genuine Abba record. But it's probably commercial enough to at least nibble at the chart. **'

'Xpand Ya Mind by Wag Ya Tail (Sanctuary) is based on Lonnie Liston Smith's 1975 jazz funk classic Expansions and features the great man himself on vibes and keyboards. Covering such a revered tune can be risky, but the resulting jazzy house groove has already been getting a very good reaction...'

'17: UNDERCOVER: Baker Street (PWL International). Until recently he sold knees, hips and implants, but now Londoner John Matthews finds fame as the man who dared to turn Gerry Rafferty's late-Seventies pop classic into a dance disc. As the chart becomes ever more susceptible to cover versions, Undercover's upcoming album, now being prepared, also promises updates of Luther Vandross' Never Too Much and Booker Newberry III's Love Town.'

'44: ROFO: Rofo's Theme. (PWL). Throbbing Hi-NRG as it used to be. This throwback was fashioned in Belgium by Mancunian Mike 'Big Bird' Coppock and Duncan Finlayson, owner of Birmingham's Loading Bay record shop. In 1987, the duo were on holiday in Belgium, where they recorded the track with New Beat producer Fonny De Wulf. Initially released on Finlayson's Loading Bay label in 1990, it has since sold 12,000 copies, making regular appearances in the Top 200. With Rumour's Klone label also recently launched to cater for the genre, who's to say Hi-NRG won't return?'

'SINGLE OF THE WEEK:
Scooch 'More Than I Needed To Know' (Accolade). So come on all you A&R boys! Snort that coke and grab your Biros and sign us Steps-klones up by the groaning truckload. Steps Lite! Uber-Steps! Steps 3000! Steps Pistols! Step-Un-Wulf! Yeah! Two gurlygurlies and two gurlyboys - ten weeks with a choreographer, ten days with a hairdresser, ten hours with a publicist, ten minutes with a producer and ten seconds with a songwriter and bosh! Bobsyerfackingunklefacker! Sorted! Top pop product aimed at the hearts, minds, reptile-brain stems and permanently soggy gussets of the hideous hordes of luvverly little ladies aged between six and 17 who actually buy 94.897 per cent of all records bought in the world and are thus responsible for the parlous state of pop as we know it. The bastards!

Except that this is brilliant! It's like, hey, what if Steps didn't eagerly suck pus from a maggot-infested and hideously noisome festering sore situated halfway between Satan's spike-studded scrotal sac and his gnashing teeth-filled anal crack, hmmm? Then they'd sound exactly like Scooch. So step forward the sinister Svengalis lurking in the shadows behind this obviously (ugh) 'manufactured' so-called 'band'. Oh no! It's them! Mike Stock and Matt Aitken! Two-thirds of the evil triumvirate that gave us Kylie, Mel & Kim and Jason, too! The bastards! This deserves to be Number One for weeks and it probably will be because it is a joyously mindless romp through every Abba-esque cliché in existence delivered at a breakneck pace by a lass with massive blacksmith's bellows for lungs and it rules, it rules like Ghengis Khan ruled - remorselessly, ruthlessly, frighteningly, tyrannically but absolutely irresistibly. Love it. Fear it. Worship it. Obey it. Or DIE!'

'SCOOCH: When My Baby. Perky quartet deliver standard upbeat pop fodder. But do we really need another Steps, we ask ourselves?'

'SCOOCH: When My Baby (Accolade) - Should be called Steps 2 because they look and sound like they're from the same mould. 7/10.'

'KERRI-ANN: Irreplaceable. Will Kerri-Ann, the 21-year-old Irish songstress, ever have UK hits as big as the ones she has back home? On the evidence of Irreplaceable, the answer is, alas, probably not. It's a fairly breezy, Louise-style ballad but even if the CD come with a free box of matches it wouldn't set anyone's world on fire.'

'KERRI-ANN - Irreplaceable. This is Kerri-Ann's second shot at stardom and it's ... all right. She's massive in Ireland, but will she do it over here?'

'Although Kerri-Ann has already made a mark with her debut single 'Do You Love Me Boy', it's this single which is really the one to watch. A well crafted, radio orientated, downtempo pop ditty that will lodge itself in your head and is sure to launch this new talent skywards. **** DW - Released: 11 Jan 1999 - BPM: Radio Edit 112'

'The biggest shakedown of the year finds no fewer than 16 new entries to the Top 40, though the top eight positions are all occupied by records which were already charted ... One former and one current Coronation Street star return to the Pop Tip chart this week. Tracy Shaw, who still treads the Street's cobbles, debuts at number 20 with 'Ridin' High', while former star Matthew Marsden registers his second Pop Tip hit, with his cover of the old Daryl Hall & John Oates hit 'She's Gone'.'

'ULTIMATE KAOS: Casanova (Polydor 5759312). This quintet look finally set to live up to the promise of their debut single, Some Girls, as they join forces with Stock and Aitken for a commercially attractive cover of Levert's big 1987 hit. Radio should lap this one up. ****'

'TATJANA 'The First Time'. Yes, the next follow up from Santa Maria and taken from the forthcoming CD album already out in Japan and Holland where its been called New Look. Love This records are planning to put this out under a different title but they have not yet decided on this yet. So watch out for the new single, scheduled release date April 28th, and the new CD album to follow.'

'JOHN ALFORD: John Alford (Love This Records LUVITCD2). Anything Robson & Jerome can do...? Unfortunately the London's Burning star's bland collection of covers adds nothing to the originals. **'

'NEVER GONNA CHANGE MY LOVE 4 [hi-nrg/12"] Jon Otis Prod. Stock/Aitken. (Max Music/Love This/Spain/UK; 130bpm) Well I've been waiting years to savor a traditional cover mix of this Glenn Medieros hit ballad. However, just recently Germany's Yell-4-U releases a fine version that was just way too high in the bpm's for most. Stock and Aitken have crafted a wondrfully timeless remixing on this track. Vocalist is very reminicent of PWL's Jason Donovan at his best. If you miss the best heartfelt moments from the glorious SAW days, this my friends IS for you. Giving the nod in favor of the powerful "Stampede Mix". Way to go guys! ****'

'TATJANA: Santa Maria. Withdrawn for some reason this time last year, Tatjana's 'Santa Maria' is back and we defy you to resist it. The kind of contagious Europop track that hoodwinks even those people who don't usually go for this stuff (just like 'Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit' did), it seems to have only three words in it: 'Santa' 'Maria' and 'Aah' and that's all it needs to take you from here to disco heaven. I love this track.'

'SINGLE OF THE WEEK: TATJANA 'Santa Maria' (Love This LUVTHISCD4). This song pulled from the chart last year gets a second chance. Euro disco at its very best with the fun factor in full effect. *****'

'SALLY ANNE MARSH: Windmills Of Your Mind (Love This LUVTHISCD12). The star of steamy West End musical Voyeurz gives a wierd, squeaky spin to Noel Harrison's 1969 hit. Strange stuff and a bit of a departure for producers Stock & Aitken. ***'

'Tatjana Santa Maria 96 Prod. Stock/Aitken (Love This; UK; 132 BPM) Great track - really it's wonderful. The 96 mix of this euro/spanish scorcher is very good, but if you have the first couple of mixes - don't bother ... they'll never tell the difference. Special note, I promise I won't compare this to everything NRG oriented as some seem to. Lord knows, if I hear another comparison to this single or Nicki French's "Total Eclipse" I'll spit food. ***'

'JAN MONROE: Anyone Who Had A Heart (Love This LUVTHIS CD11). This Stock & Aitken-produced record, which is raising cash for the Heart Of Britain charity, is a well-performed rendition of a fine song. Good chart chance. ***'