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LP
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ATLANTIDE 009LP
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2015 release. Atlantide present a reissue of Predmestje's debut album Brez Naslova, originally released in 1977. When it comes to a fusion of jazz and rock music, most of us connoisseurs look over to England. Canterbury is not only a place, it is a term to define a whole scene and sound in the field of jazz-rock. And this scene spawned some magical names, bands and musicians, being carved into the soul of every woman and man who were engaged in jazz and progressive rock music in the '70s. Now we can only wonder how the call of Canterbury reached Yugoslavia, a then, totalitarian Eastern Bloc state. But as music seems to have wings and does not accept any borders, the inspirations arrived and therefore a great scene of bands was born. Among these inspired Slovenians were Predmestje, who formed in 1975 and disbanded in 1982. Brez Naslova, originally released in 1977, is the first in a line of four albums and features quite prototypical jazz-rock and fusion pieces with a smooth approach, good grooves, really outstanding playing and a magical atmosphere. This type of forward-thinking fusion of jazz and rock music shows a tight connection to the style created earlier and around the same time by English acts such as National Health, Gilgamesh, Soft Machine or Nucleus and even incorporates a few symphonic elements for good measure. If it was not for the scarce vocal parts that were sung in the band's native tongue, you could think Mike Ratledge, Elton Dean, Pip Pyle, and Hugh Hopper, aka Soft Machine, were playing here at times. A haunting piece of sophisticated jazz-rock that deserves to live on in the hearts of music lovers. Edition of 300.
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CD
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ATLANTIDE 012CD
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Yugoslavia had a rich and colorful scene for rock and pop back from the '60s to the '80s. By 1983, at the peak of new wave and electronic rock, even the Eastern Bloc countries were hit by this fresh and exciting style. Therefore it is no wonder that Kozmetika, one of the Yugoslavian forerunners of electronic rock, had several similarities to Western acts from Germany or England, while singing in their native tongue and going for it with a quite original approach. There are many elements of '70s space rock and epic electronic rock to be found within the straightened but quirky new wave song structures on their sole album, originally released in 1983. Electronic and acoustic drums interact perfectly and create a smooth rhythmic flow through all the tunes. You can hear flutes in the long progressive piece "Gaja," which is nothing less than an anthem to honor mother earth and gets close to such '70s greats as NEU!, Cluster, Tangerine Dream, and Hawkwind with its repetitive beat and wicked guitar jams. You can hear where Kozmetika are rooted and where they want to go. Hard-driving tunes show a relation to the punk and post-punk sounds that were hot back then and still drag you away deep into outer space. Where most of the German NDW bands went pop, Kozmetika took a step over the barriers of radio-friendly music and get closer to a modernized version of NEU!, Amon Düül II, and La Düsseldorf mixed with a dark and gloomy elements that adds a radical mood to the compositions, contrary to their moments of sweet, soft harmonies -- even the more relaxed passages present an atmosphere of departure. All fans of classic early '80s Eastern Bloc bands like Olympic from Czechoslovakia or later Omega and new wave/post-punk heroes like Bauhaus, Joy Division, Grauzone, and Joachim Witt will certainly love this. Take a listen and get enchanted.
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LP
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ATLANTIDE 012LP
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CD
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ATLANTIDE 011CD
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This compilation was originally released by the Yugoslav PGP RTB label in 1975; it collects tracks by participants in the first official rock competition for bands from the province of Vojvodina. Pesčani Sat open up the dance with a grandiose pop rock tune clothed in a garment of lush string arrangements with a beautiful lead melody plus a few simmering guitar solos that scream right into your face. Proces deliver an atmospheric '70s rock tune with a gentle edge and vocals that bear a strong character. At some point it turns into a furious but joyful dance and then straight afterward it becomes a bluesy and jazzy fuzz-rocker with some additional brass. There is an ever-pulsating percussion sound backing up the track, giving it an out-of-control groove. Sani's "Eleonor" rocks in a straight '60s garage fashion. A bit retro for the time of its release, but never the less a kick-ass raw beat number with a memorable chorus. KUD blend contemporary funk, soul, psych rock, and garage rock into a hot-blooded rock tune with a classical melody thrown in here and there for good measure and some nice fuzzed-out guitars. Beautiful choirs and the lead organ spice up this tune and make it a wild highlight. Koren give us some dark, bluesy rock with a heavy organ sound-carpet and a skilled axeman who knows to fire beautiful jazzy leads and simmering, eruptive solos from the neck of his axe. Nelija enchant our ears with a gentle acoustic tune that combines the beauty of '70s hippie-folk with elements of traditional music from the Balkan countries. Cvrčak I Mravi's "Čekanje" is slightly folky, with rich melodic textures -- a lightweight but heartwarming pop song with a '60s West Coast flair. They have a great hand for sweet arrangements, as the strings and flute patterns of this song prove. Omega have nothing to do with their Hungarian namesakes and play rather jazzy, late-'60s-style pop, with more US West Coast flair. They sing in their native tongue and might therefore sound a bit far-out for the average listener, but fans of that late-'60s stuff mixing jazz, blues, and pop will find a rich treasure in this song and in this compilation. Give this album a chance if you are a true music lover.
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LP
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ATLANTIDE 011LP
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LP version. Limited to 300 copies.
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CD
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DEZELA 002CD
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Originally released in 1983 in former Yugoslavia, this album is a truly undiscovered gem of ethereal folk music. Pesmi combines the old traditional melodies of Eastern Europe and the Balkan States area with the lush and enchanting instrumentation of late '60s and early '70s folk with elements of progressive folk and singer/songwriter music from England and the USA. This results in a highly-mystifying and still easily folksy piece of exclusively acoustically instrumented music with haunting female vocals that seduce you with lyrics in their native tongue. Pesmi reminds of well-known artists like Pentangle, Steeleye Span, Gryphon, Fairport Convention, and even Simon & Garfunkel, just with this very unique Eastern flavor and bigger emotional gestures in the melodies. An utterly picturesque musical experience.
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DEZELA 002LP
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LP version. Originally released in 1983 in former Yugoslavia, this album is a truly undiscovered gem of ethereal folk music. Pesmi combines the old traditional melodies of Eastern Europe and the Balkan States area with the lush and enchanting instrumentation of late '60s and early '70s folk with elements of progressive folk and singer/songwriter music from England and the USA. This results in a highly-mystifying and still easily folksy piece of exclusively acoustically instrumented music with haunting female vocals that seduce you with lyrics in their native tongue. Pesmi reminds of well-known artists like Pentangle, Steeleye Span, Gryphon, Fairport Convention, and even Simon & Garfunkel, just with this very unique Eastern flavor and bigger emotional gestures in the melodies. An utterly picturesque musical experience.
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