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Matt Bianco fans have a reason to be cheerful this autumn. Basia, whose voice is familiar to anyone who in the early 1980s danced to Whose Side Are You On?, is back with a new album. (Oh, ok, the album was released a few months ago, but I only just listened to it for the first time a couple of weeks ago).
Basia was born in the south of Poland and before leaving the country in the late 70s, she sang with a couple of Polish groups. But her career really took off when she joined Danny White in London to form the band which was to become Matt Bianco.
I have to confess, I used to be a huge fan, but I haven’t listened to her music for 15 years. I recently came across her greatest hits album (Spotify link) and was amazed by how many good songs she had both as a solo artist and, earlier, with Matt Bianco.
Her latest CD It’s That Girl Again (Spotify link) surprised me a bit though. I was expecting more of the same – some good, jazzy Latino pop, and yes – the onitial songs don’t disappoint at all. They’re quite catchy. But later on it all sounds a bit different. I think I’ll need time to get used to her slightly more ’straight pop’ sound. Maybe I’ve moved on, maybe she has. But it doesn’t sound as exciting and fresh to me. Which doesn’t mean it’s a bad album, nor does it negate her earlier achievements.
Anyway, I hope it’ll grow on me. Meanwhile, here’s some good old Basia:
