HOBO

The only album of Croatian band Hobo is interesting example of progressive Yugo-rock from mid 70-s. Possibly, this music is difficult to compare with European/US progressive of the same period. Yugo-rock , melodic rock music with strong Balkan pop-folk element and some German pop music influences, was very popular around former Yugoslavian countries in 70-s and 80-s.

Hobo plays that music, but with serious accent on r'n'b , blues and early jazz rock. Sound is not complex, but some arrangements (plenty of violin and unusual drumming) and few compositions structure is really progressive. Possibly, such music, recorded in late 60-s in Europe or States, could be tagged as proto-prog. But as in whole Eastern Europe, in Croatia it came some years later. So -expect melodic pop-rock from early 70-s with some prog elements, not complex, but pleasant songs, light fusion scent, violin and specific Yu-rock atmosphere.

Interesting album for researchers and Yugo-rock collectors, for all others - listenable, but not very special.

A good band from Yougoslavia in 70 décade. This country is the most open mind in east contry's and made some excellent band's but unfortunelly very hard to find. This album have some good keiboards work, and second piano voice and a nice percussion in some parts. Lyrics are in native language but if we don't untherstand the message, music is the most important in this album. Drum's are very good with a good fast work. We listen a violin very balanced in the music contex. Not a comercial album and a very good work of East Europe. This a work that we can listen lot of times and it's not boring. Some parts remember me Curved Air atmosphere but much more fusion, and violin don't have delay pedals or other efects, but a clear original sound. Very good band and it's a very good adiction in any East Europe prog collection that it's my favourite context. I give 4 stars but realy they deserve 4,5 stars.

HOBO's eponymous debut, the only official release of the band, belongs to the category of "lost Yugoslavian gems" of the 1970s!

A group of ambitious musicians assembled around the leader Mato Dosen in Croatian capital Zagreb sometime in 1972. After appearing at Boom Pop Festival Ljubljana 1974 and as a support to DEEP PURPLE concert 1975, they recorded this album.

- "Druzenje" (A Company) is an opening short instrumental led by electric keyboards in the vein of Keith Emerson.

- "Prijatelju" (The Friend) introduces quite a few novelty instruments for the then Yugo- prog scene, namely electric violin, assorted synths and keyboards and effective percussion (congas). The vocal is sometimes trying to emulate that of the late Davorin Popovic, ex-INDEXI singer.

- "Dijete" (The Child) is a remarkable mini-prog suite with excellent violin solo, strong rhythm section, piano and some additional fine fuzzed guitar effects in the background. Lead vocal is much better here than on the previous track and overall song is perfect. The first comparison that comes to mind is of course CURVED AIR with some jazzy flavour.

- "Sretan kraj" (Happy Ending) starts with piano and adds some more fine wah-wah guitar licks. Vocals are strong while again there is a hint of Davorin-style (I don't know who is responsible for singing among the members here who share vocal responsibilities). The track is done in a jazz-soul style like that of TRAFFIC (compare with "Feelin' Alright").

- "Raskrsce" (Crossroads) brings some synth atmospheric sounds coupled with violin. The vocal is the same as in "Dijete". Very rhythmic groove with harmony vocals ends abruptly.

- "Postajem lud" (I'm Getting Mad) is another highlight with characteristic strange rhythm (almost reggae-like, in a twisted way). Vocals are amazing, duelling between channels, the right one being a somewhat funny but very expressive, almost operatic, falsetto. Very bass and percussion oriented with solo violin.

- "Srebro" (Silver) starts with gentle violin and piano then enter the drums and bass, followed by some electronic noise. Tempo goes faster with violin forefront, with hints of David Cross of KING CRIMSON. Rhythm then slows again, going into slightly psychedelic territory with whispering voices. Moog continues solo briefly, and then the FLOYD-esque organ develops eastern-tinged melody. A wonderful piece of music!

- "Ha-re-ho" is another vocal track with catchy hippie-like "let's everybody sing" chorus, followed by violin solo. It almost had a hit potential, but instrumentally is a minor effort.

- The closer "Cuj me" (Listen To Me) is a piano-led ballad, with additional synthesisers in the background. Nice and easy for the end.

The CD re-issue of the album (legality of the label issue YU POP ARCHIVE 016 YUPR, cannot however be confirmed) contains a bonus track "Zena" (The Woman) which sounds like an outtake from the album. Justifiably so!

You are well advised to search for this album because it represents a very good and artistically inspired attempt to create an innovative prog-rock or art rock record in the former Yugoslavian scene of the 1970s. If you like electric violin, jazzy rhythm section and loads of keyboards, enough said!

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5

P.A. RATING: 5/5