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:

To be honest, I had no idea that the Canadian city of London, Ontario was also a popular destination for Poles. But an article I’ve just seen on a Canadian site, the London Free Press claims that:

An estimated 20,000 Polish people call London home. Many came to Canada after the Second World War and more still during the Cold War in the 1980s.

A different country, the same reasons for migrating. And quite a big Polish community, it would seem.

Read how they celebrate the Polish culture in Ontario here.