LIVE IN MACEDONIA

LEB I SOL re-united in 2006 in its original quartet line-up, after almost 15 years of inactivity. Extended tour was scheduled across Macedonia and former Yugoslav countries and the result was a DVD and this 2CD live set. To my disappointment, the most part of the Bosnian tour in early 2007 was cancelled due to management problems, so I had to be content with these two releases.

The quartet line-up (Stefanovski-guitar/vocal, Arsovski-bass, Tavitijan-drums, Dimusevski-keyboards) was responsible for the first three album masterpieces of these ex-Yugoslav and Macedonian ethno- jazz fusion virtuosos, so hearing (and seeing) them in concert is a spectacle in its own right. Previous live albums (Akusticna trauma, Live in New York) either did not feature Tavitijan and/or Dimusevski, or in the case of Live Anthology (where the quartet was complete) the repertoire was focused on their later pop-oriented material. So Live in Macedonia finally captures all the best moments of their strong, impeccable, technically perfect yet emotional and musically potent performances of folk-impregnated jazz-rock fusion.

The album opens with a new studio song, a re-arrangement of traditional Raspukala Sar-planina (Broken Down Shar Mountain) which was also aired as a promo video clip. Material is roughly divided between their early classic fusion of the first four albums on Disc 1 and the more relaxed and laid-back soft rock sound of the late 1980s on Disc 2, including such crowd-pleasers as mega hits Kalabalak, Cuvam Noc Od Budnih (Guarding the Night from the Awakened), Mamurni Ljudi (Hangover People), Kao Kakao (Like Cacao), Skopje and Cukni Vo Drvo (Knock on Wood). The acme of the album comes with three songs not recorded on any previous studio album - all folk traditionals arranged by the band in a fusion vein - Uci me majko karaj me (Teach Me Mother, Warn Me), A Bre Makedonce (Oh My Macedonian Boy) and Si Zaljubiv Edno Mome (A Young Lad Fell In Love). The latter one was here premiered before its inclusion on the following studio album Itakanataka in 2008. Finally Country theme from the movie Smeker ends this show in a perfect way.

This live set shows why LEB I SOL were frequently praised as one of the finest jazz rock bands ever, not only in the regional (ex-YU) context but internationally too. Relatively small number of reviews of their albums here at PA indicates that the Western and the Worldwide audience is yet to discover this beautiful music. Why not start with this amazing 2CD?!

PERSONAL RATING: 5/5

P.A. RATING: 5/5

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