MOJ SVET

"Moj svet" (Eng. "My World") is a collection of singles issued in the period 1973-77. It is extremely handy compilation since only 3 tracks were previously released on their debut album, while all other were scattered over the singles.

Although the songs were recorded across the 4-year period, the album is surprisingly well sounded and encapsulated. Presence of prim tambura as a lead instrument on most songs is a real treat for fans of "exotic" traditional or folk instrumentation. Here we can hear probably its most successful use in rock music of former Yugoslavia to date.

"Moj svet" is mostly an acoustic record, with electric guitar and drum beat present only in two recent songs, Orient-inspired "Put putuje karavan" ("The Caravan Travel") and the closing title track, both issued on singles shortly before this collection appeared. "Cudno drvo" ("Strange Tree") is another excellent all-acoustic/percussion song that draws influence from Turkish/Arabic traditional, featuring prim and sargija - an instrument akin to Turkish saz (long-necked lute). The rhythmic chords remind me of Jimmy Page/Robert Plant intake of Moroccan traditional sounds recorded for their album "No Quarter" in 1994. Vocal harmonies sound like those of THE BEATLES circa 1966/67. "Kao vreme ispred nas" ("Like Time to Come") is a gentle ballad with flute reminiscent of PINK FLOYD's "Julia Dream". "Tavna noc" ("Dark Night") contains lyrical reflections from Renaissance-styled Adriatic/Dalmatian coastline folk.

"Jana" and "Dixie Band" are the most pop-sounding tracks and both were very popular hits in late 1970s in Yugoslavia. The former is a typical festival-orchestral piece of easy listening pop, the latter a commercialised take on Dixie Jazz with Honky Tonk piano. "Odisej" is another mini masterpiece of prim-led Mediterranean story line inspired by the classical hero, Odyssey. "I kad budem stariji" ("And When I'm Older") is elegiac ballad recycling the theme of "too old to rock'n'roll, too young to die", with self-reflecting verses of any serious die-hard (prog) music collector (in English roughly: "and when I'm much older than now/I'm gonna buy me LP records/when I'm super-old/I'm gonna be as young as now"). "Tema Classica" ("Classical Theme"), taken from debut studio album, is almost a mini symphonic/acoustic suite with several changes of tempo and melody, with dark minor-key overtones. Acoustic guitars, prim tambura and what sounds like a synth-harmonium are perfectly produced and arranged, with beautiful harmony vocals.

Except for the two pop hits, "Moj svet" is more than a typical compilation. Each song is beautiful in its own right, while retaining diversity and liveliness that force you to listen to it again and again. S VREMENA NA VREME were quite unique band, not only in Yugoslavia, and for that matter - very underrated and almost forgotten. It is hard to compare them to any international/Anglo-American group. If I say there are distant ties with THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD, JETHRO TULL, AMAZING BLONDEL, MAMAS AND PAPAS or INCREDIBLE STRING BAND, it's probably over-reacting. But anyway, "Moj svet" is a wonderful and highly recommended addition to prog folk collection. Two pop songs and the fact this is not "real" studio album prevent me from giving the highest rating.