Continuing at NUMBER 15 on the Countdown...



In 1987 I really thought she was one of the best things to grace this earth... and I LOVED listening to her! SAMANTHA FOX's self-titled second album stood out as a great pop/rock album of the time. This is an enjoyable album from the first to the last song, beginning with her take on the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (one of the best versions I've heard!), and leading into her string of singles from this album - "I Surrender (To The Spirit Of The Night)", "I Promise You", "True Devotion" and the Stock/Aitken/Waterman hit "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now".

Not to mention the opening lines of one of the biggest hits - "Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)": "maybe, just maybe... naughty girls need love too..." - no, definitely!

Roll on NUMBER 16 of The Greatest Albums Of All Time...



Talking of "commercial diva's" (see previous post), there's nothing wrong with them of course... our artist at #16 is a good example of one - BELINDA CARLISLE whose 1987 album "HEAVEN ON EARTH" makes our list for being the outstanding album it is! Mostly renowned of course for her most popular hit - the international #1 "Heaven Is A Place On Earth", the album also boasts big hits in the form of "Circle In The Sand", "I Get Weak" and "World Without You".
Belinda's had other good albums during her career, but this one still stands out as the most consistent. Other noticeable tracks include the almost punk-rock "I Feel Free" and "Nobody Owns Me", and the pop-tastic "Fool For Love"...
This album DOES bring back memories of times when heaven WAS a place on earth...

At NUMBER 17:



Sweden's SOPHIE ZELMANI conquered the Blue Islands with her 2002 (4th) album "SING AND DANCE", with her angelic, almost "whisper" of a voice, and absolutely BRILLIANT take on folk music.

Mixing acoustic guitars with the occasional horns, and irresistible melodies, she's the complete opposite of your typical "commercial diva", and maybe that's part of her charm. "Sing And Dance" is, like most of her albums, absolute BLISS to listen to from the first to the last note...
This album delivered huge hits like "Going Home", "People", "Sing And Dance" and "Yes, I Am". Oh, hearing IS believing!

And at NUMBER 18:



British duo CLIMIE FISHER released their debut album "EVERYTHING" in 1987, and it was just that - "everything" a pop album should be! It delivered the hit singles "Love Changes (Everything)", "Rise To The Occasion", "This Is Me" and "I Won't Bleed For You", and the whole album is power-packed with infectious melodies... one of those rare gems for any pop fan!

And continuing at NUMBER 19...



1987 was a great year to be alive in South Africa, and a great soundtrack to that was MANGO GROOVE's self-titled debut album. Their unique and magical blend of South African marabi/kwela/pop influences saw them conquer SA and the Blue Islands, and in South Africa they've spent more weeks on the national sales charts than any other local act in history.
Listening to the album it's not hard to see why! Such a mash-up of different styles coming together to create such a powerful, magnificent product, is something which has to be heard to be believed!
Aah... such was the time we were dancing to hits like "Dance Sum More", "Move Up", "Hellfire" and "Love Is", not to mention the magical pennywhistled CLASSIC "Special Star!"