PUT KA SUNCU - NA ZIVO! 1974-75

Having reputation of a strong live act, POP MASINA was a logical candidate to be the owner of the first rock concert-LP record in Yugoslavia. If we dismiss KORNI GRUPA and their double-disc set "Mrtvo more" released earlier in 1975, which consisted of only one half of live material (the other half being a collection of hit singles), "Put ka suncu" ("Journey to the Sun") indeed deserves recognition as the first full-length live album of a rock band issued at the territory of former Yugoslavia. I am afraid, that is about all this title had to offer.

Poor sound quality notwithstanding, this 37-minute piece of noise is a real suffer to sit through listening. You can hardly distinguish between four "tracks" recorded from different concerts during 1974-75 because it all flows endlessly as one, painfully long hodgepodge of Tarzan-like screaming and shouting, coupled with inhumane maltreatment of instruments. For some mysterious reason, the recording of "Negde daleko" ("Somewhere Faraway") is repeated here although the same already appeared on the studio album "Na izvoru svetlosti". Extended jam "Put ka suncu" contains a section reminiscent of BAND OF GYPSIES' "Machine Gun". Jimi Hendrix was always one of true inspirational characters for Zoran Bozinovic, but here it sounds like a lesson titled "how not to play like Hendrix".

Now, when you finally manage to endure this bad trip that sounds like a failed sound-check meeting the noise of a malfunctioned caterpillar, what do you do? Nothing. Just put this record away for safekeeping and archives because it is truly of documentary value. Oh yes, the cover photograph of a crowd in blue light is quite good.

PERSONAL RATING: 1/5

P.A. RATING: 2/5