Flyday

Before Kraan's 1978 release, Flyday, original member Jan Fride took a break from music and was replaced by drummer Udo Dahmen, previously in Aachen's Rufus Zuphall. With compositions credited to either Peter Wolbrandt or Hellmut Hattler, the album covers much of the same ground as the last. The instrumental "Far West" kicks off with the band soaring along to the jazzy tempo. The vocal effort "My Brother Said" is a real treat, reminiscent of the aggressive rock of the band's earlier Wintrup album. "Ausflug" is (not surprisingly) light and airy, with Wolbrandt's guitar tone predating Mark Knopfler's technique; while the bold "Gayu Gaya" is the album's wordless-vocal entrant. On the second side, both "You're Right" and "Buy Buy" turn up the funk, with Ingo Bischof's keyboards taking a step to the fore. The balance of the side is contrasted with two mellow numbers: "Young King's Song" is a fairytale vocal number, while the sleepy title track is marked again by Wolbrandt's poignant guitar work. The album was released by EMI Electrola (on blue vinyl); but again, did not see an international release. A live album Tournee followed in 1980, presenting material from the last two records. The 1982 release Nachtfahrt would also see a change in drummers and something of a first for the band: German language vocals. Kraan would then undergo several personnel changes, until a late 80s lineup reunited Hattler, Wolbrandt and Fride, with newcomer Joo Kraus for a final two albums.