LEB I SOL KOLEKCIJA 1983-1989

The original line-up of LEB I SOL marked the 30th anniversary with a series of concerts held in autumn 2006 throughout former Yugoslav republics. Quality of these performances confirmed loyalty of both old and new fans as captured on a CD/DVD release of "Live in Macedonia".

Since their modest beginning in 1976, LEB I SOL had risen to the status of one of the most accomplished and creative rock bands in the former Yugoslavia, while their fusion of local folk music with contemporary jazz-rock performance was their signature sound. After five studio albums and a double live set "Akustična trauma" (issued on PGP RTB label from Belgrade), at the peak of popularity the band signed a contract with Jugoton record label in Zagreb that would continue until the end of the 1980s and gradual demise of their group work in early 1990s.

The box set "Leb i Sol Kolekcija 1983-1989", released in 2007, contains CD reissues of five albums recorded during this period. The first in the series "Kalabalak" (1983) with its title song and the memorable instrumental "Bistra voda" announced a fruitful cooperation between these "ethno-fusion" oriented Macedonian guys and the Croatian label. The following "Tangenta" (1984) was produced by the innovative Canterbury school musician Kevin Ayers (SOFT MACHINE) and assisted in studio by the famous keyboardist Lazar Ristovski (SMAK, BIJELO DUGME), while the first decade of LEB I SOL was concluded with the LP "Zvučni zid" (1986). The latter title contained soundtracks for theatre, film and TV production and marked the return of the original drummer Garo Tavitijan, replacing Dragoljub Đuričić.

The fourth title "Kao kakao" (1987) was the first album with all tracks containing vocals, including the smash hits and live favourites - the title track and "Skopje", while the fifth and the last studio album "Putujemo" (1989) was produced in a similar style, this time having another hit "Čukni vo drvo".

"Kolekcija 1983-1989" represents a half of the entire opus of LEB I SOL and, while not all purist jazz- rock fans supported their "commercialisation" and break onto the mainstream rock scene that happened during this period, the musical quality, performance and overall place of LEB I SOL in the Yugoslav popular music in this period was remarkable. Therefore this collection, although a bit bulky package, is recommended especially if you can find it at reasonable price (like for instance at Croart CD webshop where it may be purchased for 200 HRK, roughly 25 EUR). For details on each album contained in this box set, please refer to the separate album pages here at Prog Archives.

PERSONAL RATING: 3/5

P.A. RATING: 3/5