CAFFE` LATTE` 
TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS

Mid-week bonus: #616- 614
#616 LOVE IS IN THE AIR John Paul Young
"Love is in the Air" is a timeless gem from the Harry Vanda & George Young songbook. They had written plenty of hits for the Glasgow-born Australian singer before, but this is the 1 that will continue being played years after all concerned are gone. It's a song that upon hearing it, lifts your spirits and feet start tapping along. The recording was produced by Vanda & Young. 
Released as a single in 1978, the song peaked at #3 in Australia. By year's end, the track had charted internationally:#1 Adult Contemporary & 7 Pop in the USA, #2 in South Africa, Norway and Sweden, #3 in Germany and Austria and #5 in the UK. 
The hit was re-released in a new version in 1992 due to its inclusion in the Australian film 'Strictly Ballroom'. Second time around, the Aussie classic peaked at #3 again. In 2002, Milk and Sugar remixed the song once again.

#615 AIN'T NO MAN Dina Carroll
Dina Carroll was born in Canada but she relocated to England in her teens in order to follow her musical aspirations. The vocalist gained attention and experience singing on records by Masquerade and, later, club hits on the Jive / Zomba label. Her first chart hit was with Quartz, a cover of Carole King's "It's Too Late" in 1989. Carroll released her first solo album in 1993. 'So Close' contained the British Top 20 single "Ain't No Man", issued the previous year. 
The song features strong vocals over a beat that contains hints of acid jazz and is reminiscent of M People. It was written by Carroll with Nigel Lewis. The latter performed keyboards and guitar on the track. He also produced the recording. 
Carroll scored more chart appearances, including the UK Top 10 hits "Escaping", "Don't be a Stranger" and "The Perfect Year" . Her most recent entry was in 2001 with "Someone Like You" which made the Top 40.

#614 STEP BACK IN TIME Kylie Minogue
In 1990, Kylie Minogue exerted greater control of her music. No longer would she be content to sing whatever was offered to her. The 'Rhythm of Love' album reflected this shift. Of its 11 tracks, 7 were from the Stock/ Aiken/ Waterman team.
"Step Back In Time" was 1 of the contributions from the writing / production trio. This team consisted of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They wrote and produced this tribute to the funk tracks of old skool R&B. There are references to dance moves such as the Bus Stop and the Hustle; The O'Jays and their soul hit "Love Train"; and other R&B classics: The Temptations' "Ball of Confusion", The Jacksons' "Blame it on the Boogie", Eddie Kendricks' "Keep On Truckin'" and "Float On" by The Floaters. Stock and Aitken played keyboards on the recording. The latter also contributed guitar. 
Minogue's new attitude brought out the best from her writing team. 'Rhythm of Love' features the best material Stock, Aitken & Waterman ever provided her. The single peaked at #4 in the UK and Ireland. On the Australian chart, it reached #5. It also made the Top 10 in South Africa. The song remains 1 of the stand outs from Minogue's catalogue.