Your Kiss is Sweet - Suukkosuma

Ami Aspelund recorded "Suukkosuma" (Wealth of kisses) in 1975. It was released as B-side of a single that sadly flopped. Responsible for the Finnish lyrics and production was Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Your Kiss is Sweet" was co-written and performed by Syreeta (b. Syreeta Wright). The song was released on the 1974 album "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta". This song "Your Kiss Is Sweet" was released also as a single and presented her with a chart success. Stevie Wonder, who co-wrote the song and produced the album, was also doing background vocals on this reggae-flavoured song.

Just 21 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Yellow Boomerang - Bumerangi

Ami Aspelund recorded "Bumerangi" in 1973 and it was released on the B-side of her massive first hit single "Apinamies" (see earlier entry) The song was also included on Ami's album "Mentävä on".  The original song was called "Yellow Boomerang " and it was one the numerous hits for Scottish pop group The Middle of The Road. In 1973 it climbed up the charts all over the world. You can see them perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

This World Today Is A Mess - Tiedä mitä tahdot

Ami Aspelund (see earlier entry) released "Tiedä mitä tahdot" (Know what you want) on the B-side of her "Tänään huipulla" (Carpenters' Top Of The World cover) in 1974. The arrangement was done by Veikko Samuli and the lyrics were again crafted by Pertsa Reponen. The original song was called "This World Today Is A Mess", and it was co-written and performed by US jazz- and R&B -singer Donna Hightower. She started her career in the 50's touring with Louis Jordan and B.B. King. She never had any hits at the time, but this powerful "Mess" song was very popular in 1972 in continental Europe.

Here's the pair:

When Will I See You Again - Koska sun taas nähdä saan

For some reason, there aren't many Finnish covers of soul, or 'black music' in general. Well, some classics, though, have been covered. Like this one. Ami Aspelund (see earlier entry) released "Koska sun taas nähdä saan" (When will I see you again) on her "Yön jälkeen" album in 1976. All the tracks on this album were covers, but the songs were not the run-of-the-mill pop, but required a little bit more in the delivery department. The lyrics for this song were done by Leo Länsi (one of Veikko "Vexi" Salmi's pseudonyms). The original was the famous Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff -penned and pruduced song "When Will I See You Again", made to an international smash hit by the vocal group The Three Degrees. Both the song and the group were the best examples of the so called 'Philly Soul'. In the UK the song spend two weeks at number one on British pop chart in 1974, and it was said to be Prince Charles' favourite piece of music. You can see The Three Degrees perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Big Fat Oranguman - Apinamies

Ami Aspelund (real name Anne-Marie Aspelund) got a good start to her career with the hit song "Apinamies" (Apeman) in 1973. Probably she wouldn't want to be remembered by this particular tune, however. She represented Finland in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest ("Fantasiaa"). And BTW, her sister Monika was Finnish representative in the same contest in 1977 ("Lapponia"). The original 'Apeman' was a minor hit by UK band Jungle Jim in 1971 with the title "Big Fat Oranguman". The original song is of course presented from a man's point of view. And Ami's version is feminine - but definetely not feminist. Nothing has been left to told about the group Jungle Jim, but the authors of this song - Tony Cole, Graeme Hall & Steve Wolfe wrote the UK entry for the 1972 ESC (New Seekers' "Beg Steal & Borrow").

Here's the pair: