NENAD JELIć / LAZA RISTOVSKI: OPERA

"Opera" is arguably the best album recorded by Laza Ristovski, along with his debut "Merge". Unlike "Merge" however, it failed to chart commercially and was done as a collaborative effort with a renowned session musician/percussionist Nenad Jelic.

To be fair, Jelic is the leading composer/performer on this album. He played assorted percussion, harmonica, zither, piano and all vocal arrangements (no lyrics, vocals were electronically processed and used as instrument) and was a co-producer. Ristovski played his PPG synthesizers only, but used them in a way to add different sounds emulating flute, bass and even electric guitar.

At moments ("Sometimes at Nine") the music is close to avant-garde jazz and experimental ambient music such as that produced under the German ECM label or some solo works of David Sylvian ("In the Sky"). Other elements include certain Balkan traditional motifs ("Gitanes") heavily re-arranged to fit the percussion-filled ambient or even blues scheme ("Rumba Balcana"). This is very interesting album that pays back after several listening experiences.

PERSONAL RATING: 4,25/5