THE CHOICE OF THE NEW GENERATION

This is their second album, issued in 1987 in former Yugoslavia. The vinyl pressing was of limited circulation and it was hard to find outside of the band's native Slovenia. Absence of accordion and clarinet is evident on the first listen since these were signature instruments of BEGNAGRAD style. QUATEBRIGA, although retains many avant-gardistic and RIO-ish approach to arrangements and instrumental expression, draws more elements from jazz and Lazar's classical training. Bass and percussions are simply wonderful and de Gleria presents considerable skills in numerous odd time bass playing. Saxophone sounds quite jazzy in a classical way while certain drum machines and synths bring a sort of cold/technical sensation. It is not overtly spoiling the music, although some synthesized "brass" moments are not very effective. Percussions and what sounds like synth-marimba are excellent so that sometimes THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION or Pierre Moerlin's GONG appear as influence, like in "Ta rjav". Perhaps the best moment on the album is "Stiskaseparada", a 6,5 minutes of funny odd time bass lines followed by baritone or tenor saxophone in a typical free jazz style. The opening title track has strong synth rhythm and features some strange voices and coughing up sounds.

If you tried BEGNAGRAD but found it too difficult to digest at first attempt, you may want to try with QUATEBRIGA, which is slightly more accessible, closer to jazz and even fusion than to RIO/Avant. But this does not mean "The Choice Of The New Generation" is less provocative.