RECORD MIRROR: ON THE CHART TIP (1989)

1. Johnson's Aeroplane - INXS

1989 was a period of transition for INXS - their two year Kick campaign had come to an end with the belated release of Mystify and Michael Hutchence decided to cut off his trademark locks and hook up with Ollie Olsen to record the expirimental Max Q album. This lull in band activity was a good time then to let people know that there was life before Kick, five albums in fact. This cut was taken from their fouth album, 1984's 'The Swing', which despite not registering in the UK, reached #1 in Australia and stayed on the Top 50 for two years. This moody string-laden synth-rock song about drought also served as a reminder that there was more to INXS than commercial pop-rock.

2. Child Of The Age - Transvision Vamp

A completely exclusive track from Transvision Vamp still unavailable anywhere else. 1989 had been a good year for Wendy James and the boys scoring a #1 album with Velveteen and four Top 40 hits including their biggest hit Baby I Don't Care. Never has a fall from grace been so rapid however...MCA refused to release their third album in the UK in 1991 and after two more minor hits, that was that. Still, for any TV completists out there, this is a must.

3. Buffalo Stance - The There's Nothing Wrong Mix (Sukka Mix II) - Neneh Cherry

This was at the time of release exclusive to this EP. Although it eventually turned up as an extra track on Neneh's Manchild, this remix should still be of historic interest to Massive Attack completists. This was remixed by DJ Mushroom - one Andrew Vowles - and The Dynamik Duo (actually Cameron McVey and Phil Chill). The original Buffalo Stance was of course a massive Top 3 hit in 1989.

4. You Don't Always Do What's Best For You - Black

Pop stars shouldn't really be called Colin. No surprise then that Colin Vearncombe used a pseudonym, Black, to release his music. Having said that, he could have been called Norris Grimeshorpe and his signature tune Wonderful Life would still have been a worldwide smash. Despite enjoying two Top 10 hits in 1987 and a Top 3 album, Vearncombe soon became a critically acclaimed cult concern. This is from his second album, Comedy, which hit #32 in 1988.