SATURDAY'S SINGLES - VANESSA WILLIAMS and JAMIROQUAI

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Good morning gang and welcome to the return of Saturday's Singles, a Birthday edition. Our first Birthday wish goes out to Bronx born singer, actress, and fashion designer, Vanessa Williams, who is celebrating her 60th Birthday today. Happy Birthday Vanessa ! She was born in 1963 to parents Helen Tinch and Milton Augustine Williams Jr., both of whom were teachers. She is known as the first African-American recipient of the Miss America title, which she won in 1984, but was pressured into relinquishing after Penthouse magazine released nude photos of her. Four years later she released her debut album, The Right Stuff, and that LP's title track is ourt first Satarday's Single. "The Right Stuff" was released January 27, 1988 on the Wing label and produced by Rex Salas, who also co wrote the track with Kipper Jones. The tune reached #71 in the UK, #59 on the Cash Box, #44 on the Hot 100, #21 in the Netherlands, #11 on the Dutch Top 40, #3 on the Top Black Contemporary Singles chart, and #1 on the  Dance Club Songs and the  Dance Singles Sales charts. Our copy is the 12" single with the following track list :

A1. "The Right Stuff" (Radio Version) – 4:15
A2. "The Right Stuff" (Extended Version) – 5:37

B1. "The Right Stuff" (Edited Version) – 3:51
B2. "The Right Stuff" (Dub-A-Delic) – 5:43

Vanessa Williams - vocals

Produced by Amir-Salaam Bayyan, David Paul Bryant, Lewis A. Martineé, Donald Robinson, Larry Robinson, Darryl Ross, Rex Salas

Additional [background] vocals: Chuckii Booker, Johnny Gill 

Engineers: Mike Bona, David Bianco, Gerry Brown, Craig Burbridge, Peter Dlugokencky, Michael Frenke, Lewis A. Martinee, Allen Scott Plotkin, Paul Scott, Steve Shepherd, Mike Tarsia, Steve Van Arden, Erik Zobler, Jared Held

Assistant engineers: Sabrina Burchanek, Cliff Jones, Bob Loftus, Gill Morales, Adam Silverman, Dennis Stefani, John VanNest

Mixing: Rick Alonso, David Bianco, Lewis A. Martinee, Donald Robinson, Mike Tarsia, Erik Zobler, Jared Held

Remixing: Rod Hui

Mix assistant: Steve Holroyd

Editing and post-production: Ed Eckstine, Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, Christopher Shaw, Hank Shocklee, Bill Stephney

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Our second Birthday single belongs to English bassist, Stuart Zender, best known for his work in the funk and acid jazz band, Jamiroquai. He is turning 58 today. Happy Birthday Stuart. He was born in 1974 to a musical family and joined Jamiroquai in 1993, playing on their second and third albums. Our song today, "Alright", comes from the latter album, Travelling Without Moving (1996). "Alright" was released April 28, 1997 on the Sony Soho Square and was produced by Rick Pope. The song was written by the group and Toby Smith and peaked at #98 in Germany, #84 in Australia and on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #78 on the Hot 100, #39 on the  Dance Singles Sales, #38 in Belgium, #35 on the Eurochart Hot 100, #13 in Canada, #8 on the Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders chart and in Scotland, #7 Dance Club Songs, #6 in Italy and the UK, #3 UK Dance, #2 in Iceland, and #1 on the UK Hip Hop/R&B and on the UK Club Chart. Our copy is on a cassette single with the following track list :

"Alright" (full-length version) – 4:23
"Alright" (Tee's in House Mix) – 7:20

Jamiroquai

Jay Kay - vocals
Toby Smith - keyboards
Stuart Zender - bass
Derrick McKenzie - drums
Wallis Buchanan - didgeridoo
Simon Katz - guitar 
Sola Akingbola - percussion

Additional musicians

DJ D-Zire
Simon Hale – string arrangements and conductor
Gavyn Wright and the London Philharmonic Orchestra – strings
Max Beesley – vibraphone (funktion)
Gary Barnacle - saxophone
John Thirkell - trumpet
Katie – backing vocals
Beverly – backing vocals

Production

AL Stone – production, engineering
Blue – design and art direction
Lorenzo Agius – photography

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