Proggin' in communism: Prog in ex-Yugoslavia

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-----------------------------------Special
Post-------------------------------

This post has been made to introduce you to the works of , in
my humble opinion, the greatest guitarist in former Yugoslavia: Radomir
Mihaijlovic “Tocak”! (Yes I know I wrote his name without a “j”, you can
clearly see how stupid I am)

Name: Radomir Mihaijlovic “Tocak” (The wheel)
Date of Birth: 13^th June 1950
Genres: Blues, blues-rock, jazz, jazz/fusion,
experimental rock, progressive rock
Instruments: Various string instruments
Current member of: “Smak”
Former member of: “Deca sa Morave” “TEK”

Discography:
R.M. Tocak
(1976)

Vizantijsko plavo
(Byzantine blue) (1993)

Radomir Mihaijlovic was, and still is, one of the most
influential guitarists in ex- Yugoslavia.
His nickname “Tocak” (The wheel) can be associated with his
tattoo of a wheel on his left hand, which was insired by his father who was a
wheelmaker. “Tocak” is best known for his emotional playing and unique picking
style, which has some similarities with the classical picking style, usually
performing without a pic. He is also the leader and main composer of Smak (go
to first post to see some of their work).

Radomir Mihaijlovic doing what he does best:

In his solo career he has released 2 albums “R.M Tocan” and
“Vizantijsko plavo” which have received positive reviews (with reviews also on
progarchives thanks go to Seyo and clarke2001!)

R.M Tocak:
With a great diversity of style, this album provides a bluesy
version of progressive rock with a little jazz sprinkled on top.
This album was a creativity outlet, as many musicians do,
outside their bands respectively (Steve Hackett and Ian Anderson to name just a
few). A highly enjoyable instrumental album that features the first version of
“Organizam blues”, which was later released in Smaks album “Bioskop fox” (with
lyrics) in 1995.

Oro:

Svrabez:

Vizantijsko
plavo:

A fantastic
blues album written for the movie “Byzantine blue” in 1993

Ukor
(Blame):

TEK:
Radomir Mihaijlovic founded the band “TEK”
with fellow Smak members Milan "Miki" Milosavljevic
and Slobodan "Kepa" Stojanovic

Hit the
road Jack (cover):

The wheel
today:
Tocak has
opened his own guitar school, focusing primarily on Blues, Jazz and classical
music.
Luckily I
happen to know a person who was his student, and says even though he looks cold
on the exterior, he is a very friendly and open person with an amazing teaching
skill.

His daughter
Sofija Mihaijlovic specialized in classical guitar and is seen as somewhat of a
virtuoso in the modern classical scene of Serbia.

Here is a
video one of his students made in 2008; you can clearly see Mihaijlovics unique
picking style (as well as a frightened Rottweiler)

In the
following interview famous Croatian musician Dado Topic (who worked with R.M
Tocak on some occasions) tells us his thoughts about Tocak.

More or less
precisely translated:
“He is Magic
and the nightmare of guitarists. In the logic of an imperative, to show
they are skilled with the guitar they tried to prove themselves by interpreting
songs by Eric Clapton and Hendrix and other great guitarists but it’s is also a
must to play songs by Smak. It is possible to cover his songs yet no one can play like Tocak”

Hope you
enjoyed this special post and I promise that I will get back to work on the
prog bands.

Edited by Weirdamigo - August 12 2010 at 07:25