iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/08/2026

Careful with those tigers folks! #dlxp

Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/08/2026

You can hear that her voice is perfect, but beyond that she is a real performer - one of those who make the songs come alive and are even better live than in the studio - Nightwish, Dire Straits, Springsteen ... and Lara. These pics are from a concert earlier this year. #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/08/2026

Lara Fabian is my favourite singer of the last 30 years - her voice and her performances are just amazing. This live recording is Perdere l'amore, which was an Italian number one for Massimo Ranieri in 1988. Thanks for playing it Mark! #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 01/07/2026

Giuni Russo was an Italian singer who was known for her range and experimental techniques. She sang the seagull sounds on her track Gabbiano. Alghero here is sort of tame in comparison. Thanks for playing it Mark! #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 15/05/2026

Looking forward to this one so much #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 01/04/2026

Stopped at Manchesterplatz on the way back from the game

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 26/02/2026

@csupernovashow.bsky.social I'm enjoying a very special Divine Comedy Corner this evening. Hope to be back with you all soon. #CSNovaShow

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 26/03/2025

Is it Modern Talking? Maybe Bad Boys Blue? No! It's Patty Ryan. #NowPlaying on @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social - thanks Mark! #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 17/03/2025

I suppose it should have been clear what social media would turn into #80sTM

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Thank you to everyone who listened in to my 12" choices on tonight's Diamond Lights Express. A special thank you to Mark for allowing and facilitating me in inflicting my taste on you. After last week's Usual Suspects show, you'll be pleased to know I'm nowhere near next week's programming. #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Still in the UK charts and 10x platinum - after kicking off with Major Tom, here's Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Club Mix of Mr. Brightside by The Killers #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Turn up the radio as far as it will go and bask in Pete Wylie's genius for the second half of this #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Stop what you're doing and listen to the best single ever committed to vinyl. The 12" of Come Back (The Story Of The Reds) by The Mighty Wah!. And hats off to Hatton! #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Here's the USA 12" disco mix of Born To Be Alive by Patrick Hernandez. This song always reminds me of the Dover/Calias ferry, travelling on my first trip abroad on the French Exchange #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

You can't have one Go-Go without another. The extended remix on Jane Wiedlin's Rush Hour is everything a 12" should be #TeamJane #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

The 12" mix of Belinda Carlisle's first single, Mad About You. I love the drumming on this, but I don't think anyone knew how to end the mix. Got to 67 in the UK charts #TeamBelinda #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Another one for the dance floor, the 12" of Don't Leave Me This Way by The Communards With Sarah Jane Morris. I love the instrumental and Sarah Jane's part in the middle of this. (This is not the 23 minute long Gotham City mix) #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

And, of course, the 12" of Spacer by Sheila & B. Devotion #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

More dancing - Gonna Get Along Without You Now (Long Version) by Viola Wills - the original 12" release #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

We can go modern too. Well, about as modern as #dlxp allows - 16 years ago. Get up and dance to the Dave Audé club remix of Halo by Beyoncé #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

The absolutely wonderful Kirsty MacColl with A New England. This 12" version is nearly as long as Billy Bragg's "album", which first introduced us to the song, and it includes his verse for Kirsty #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

He's sneaked her in again! The A Raul Dance Mix of Abba's Lay All Your Love On Me #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

I think the note Laura Branigan holds at the end of Solitaire is one of the longest held in a pop song, second to Donna Summer Or now it's Morten Harket, Samantha? This is the Hot Tracks Special Remix #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

This extended remix of Hazellll Dean's Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go) was the B-side of the 12" version of Who's Leaving Who #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

The Special Dance Mix of Forever Young by Alphaville. As Mark alluded to, this only got to number 98! #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

Ultravox do rather good 12" versions and Love's Great Adventure is one of the best #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

The original German 12" version of Major Tom (Völlig Losgelöst) by Peter Schilling. The English version got to number 42 in the UK. Mir wird kalt #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

I've tried to pick out interesting 12" mixes - something a bit more than just repeating the second chorus. I sent a list to Mark last summer and I'm not sure which tracks he's picked but, don't worry, they're all good! #dlxp @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 12/03/2025

If you're listening in to Diamond Lights Express on Mad Wasp Radio, thanks for joining me on a trek through some of my favourite 12" tracks. If not, tune in now - we've only just started! #dlxp @diamondlightsxp.bsky.social @madwaspradiomwr.bsky.social

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/03/2025

Thanks for inviting me back, Mark, to inflict my taste on the British record-buying public. Again. And he's a glutton for punishment too, as next week Mark has created a 12" show out of a bunch of my suggestions. So please come back next Wednesday for some of my favourite extended bangers. #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/03/2025

More recently - well, 16 years ago - we have Malena Ernman with La voix. This was Sweden's Eurovision entry but wasn't well-received in the finals. Malena is an opera singer, perhaps better known nowadays as the mother of Greta Thunberg. This song is in French and English. #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/03/2025

My next selection was a British number one. Cara Mia was the B-side to Baccara's 1977 debut single, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie. #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/03/2025

Still in 1981 for my third selection - Per Elisa by one of my favourite Italian singers, Alice, singing as low as she can. This was one of Alice's many collaborations with Franco Battiato which included a Eurovision entry. The title and introduction reference Beethoven's Für Elise. #dlxp

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Paul Johnson @pjcj.net · 05/03/2025

Second on my list is Arabesque from 1981 with Run the Show. Because you can never have too much Sandra. #dlxp

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