Biały Krzyż - Czerwone gitary

Although most Polish singles I've posted here are from the Eighties, here is something from the Sixties. Czerwone gitary is a Polish rock/pop band, founded in 1965, which had its biggest outside success in the German Democratic Republic. In Poland known as Czerwone Gitary (Red Guitars), they performed numerous songs in German as well and consequently released them using a German name, Rote Gitarren. 

'Biały Krzyż' was released in 1968. Back then the band consisted of Seweryn Krajewski (guitar, keyboards, lead vocals), Bernard Dornowski (guitar, vocals), Jerzy Skrzypczyk (drums, vocals) and Krzysztof Klenczon (guitar, harmonica). Remarkably, their last album was released in 2015 and they are still touring.

My collection: 7" single no. 6837
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Biały Krzyż' / 'Deszcz Jesienny'

Szklana pogoda - Lombard

Lombard is another Polish band that has appeared on this blog before. Last month, it was their single 'Adriatyk, ocean gorący', and this time it's 'Szklana pogoda', also released in 1983 but not included on the album 'Wolne Od Cła'. This is perhaps explained by the fact that this single was released on the Polskie Nagrania label, whereas their other output appeared on Tonpress. But how am I to know... 

Anyway, 'Szklana pogoda' sounds very much like a new wave track, with synths and guitars fighting for your attention. It's an attractive slice of Eighties pop.

My collection: 7" single no. 6836
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Szklana pogoda' / 'Kto Mi Zapłaci Za Łzy'

Przytul mnie - Kombi

The band Kombi has appeared on this blog before, with the single 'Linia Życia' from 1983. It certainly sounded good, and this single, released in 1980, is another good example of what this Polish band is capable of. 

'Przytul mnie' ('Hug me') comes with sultry male vocals, something you might expect after reading the title. The music sounds like it is inspired by funk and disco. When you turn over the disc, you suddenly get a piece that leans more toward glam rock. And so my estimation would be that Kombi is an inspired band, offering a wide spectrum of music. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6835
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Przytul mnie' / 'Hotel twoich snów'

Krach - 2 plus 1

2 plus 1 were known as the "Polish Abba". They formed in the early Seventies and continued making music for decades in varying formations. Their music even reached other territories, which certainly during the Seventies and Eighties was not something that happened often to Polish bands. 

When you listen to this single, 'Krach', released in 1983, it's easy to see why: they created an infectious blend of disco and new wave - even if they came from folk rock beginnings. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6834
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Krach' / 'XXI wiek'

Od Rana Mam Dobry Humor - Maria Jeżowska

Born in 1960, Maria Jeżowska graduated from the the Faculty of Popular Music of the Academy of Music in Katowice under the direction of Krystyna Prońko. In 1978 she won the ZAKR award at the Festival of Soviet Song in Zielona Góra. In 1979, she participated with the song ´Nutka w nutkę´ in the "Premier" competition at the 17th National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, where she received a distinction for "an interesting interpretation of the songs performed". 

After this success, she released her self-titled debut album in 1981. From this album, the single 'Od rana mam dobry humor' ('In the morning I have a good mood') was taken. It certainly sounds like an upbeat song. Look out for the very nice instrumental solo!

My collection: 7" single no. 6833
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Od Rana Mam Dobry Humor' / 'Reggae O Pierwszych Wynalazcach'

PePe Wróć - Perfect

The band Perfect is probably already familiar for the most avid readers of this blog, since I featured their singles Chcemy Być Sobą and Zamieniam Się W Psa here a month ago. This single, 'PePe Wróć' does not come close to their best track, 'Bla bla bla', but it's still a good piece of rock. 

It was released in 1982, between the other two singles mentioned above. The title means 'Pepe come back'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6832
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'PePe Wróć' / 'Opanuj Się'

Funky 608 D - Krzak

At the end of November I received a stack of singles from Poland from my friend Mat. A week ago I was surprised yet again with even more treats from behind the iron curtain. At least, that's how we, in western Europe, described all the countries east of Germany back in the Eighties.

All the names in this batch will be familiar for those who kept an eye on Polish pop, but for me, each and every single was a new discovery - and in most cases, a very pleasant discovery. Take for instance Krzak, described on Discogs as "a phenomenon on a global scale". A band playing instrumental music, it was one of the most popular rock groups in Poland of the early Eighties. This single, 'Funky 608 D' was released in 1980 and will certainly delight you - the B-side perhaps even more than the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 6831
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Funky 608 D' / 'Kołysanka Dla Maciusia'