Proggin' in communism: Prog in ex-Yugoslavia

Leb i Sol (Bread and salt)

Founded: 1976

Country: Macedonia

Genre: Rock, Jazz Rock, Ethno-Jazz, Progressive Rock

Years active: 1976 – 1995, 2006 – Present

Current members:

Mico Bozikov

Bodan Arsovski

Nikola Kokan Dimusevski

Mihail Parusev

Former Members:

Vlatko Stefanovski

Kiril Dzajkovski

Dragoljub Duricic

Dimitrie Cucurovski

Garabet Tavitjan

Srdan Dunkic

Discography (Studio Albums):

Leb i sol (1978)

Leb i sol 2 (1978)

Ručni rad (1979)

Beskonačno (1981)

Sledovanje (1982)

Kalabalak (1983)

Tangenta (1984)

Zvučni zid (1986)

Kao kakao (1987)

Putujemo (1989)

Note: There are many fine reviews about this jewel of Yugoslavian prog more so than usual. Thanks go to the usual suspects Seyo and clarke2001, to my helpful visitors Finnforest, snobb and Andrea Cortese, and to those who I did not mention here.

Silly little fact: there are some differences how the band is pronounced in countries of ex-Yugoslavia. In Serbia you would say “Hleb” instead of Leb and in Croatia they use the word “Kruh” for bread. The languages might be similar but never quite the same.

Foundation:

Leb i Sol was founded 1976 by legendary guitarist (and vocalist) Vlatko Stefanovski, bass guitarist Bodan Arsovski, Keyboardist Nikola Kokan Dimusevski and drummer Garabet Tavitjan

The Impact of Leb i sol 1 and 2:

The first album of the band, released in 1978, was well received by critics and with its unusual musical structure and unusual scales it is a magnificent album, truly a must for any collector of Yugoslav prog

With the song Devetka you can clearly hear the jazz influence in the work of Leb i Sol.

Devetka:

Here we have a more folk-like song

Pod vodom:

In the same year the band released Leb i Sol 2 which was more successful than the debut album commercially as well as musically.

Here we have the simply stunning Akupunktura

Akupunktura:

And another stunning song, this album just keeps on giving and giving

Marija:

Rucni Rad:

Wow 2 fantastic albums, how can Leb i Sol top that? Simple, they made Rucni Rad! Rucni Rad is my personal favorite of the band; at some moments its melody seemed to bring me to tears. Who knows? Maybe you will also start weeping with joy.

Hogar:

Fun fact: The song was named after “Hagar” a comic strip by Dik Browne which was (and still is) translated in Yugoslavia as “Hogar strasni” trans: Hagar the terrible/terrifying.

Rucni rad:

 A slightly different Leb i Sol:

Founding Keyboarder Dimusevski left the band and was replaced by ex-Smak keyboarder Miki Petrovski, who left the band as well after a couple months. The band decided to go on as a trio and recorded the album “Infinity”. With the new wave craze coming to Yugoslavia other bands had to adapt or perish, and Leb i Sol wanted to stay at the top. The new album has some New wave influence mixed with a good fusion-like sound. If given a chance, “Infinity” can be a highly enjoyable album.

A clear example of this change can be heard in the song beli mrak (which is really enjoyable if you are a fan of New wave such as myself)

Beli mrak:

Sledovanje and Kalabalak

Sledovanje is seen as a very poor album with the same influences as Infinity. Unlike Infinity, Sledovanjes mix of new wave and jazz-fusion failed.

Kalabalak is refreshing after Sledovanje with mostly instrumental track and showed the poppy sound of Leb i Sol.

Bistra voda:

Tangenta and Zvucni Zid:

Two mediocre pop albums at best, two sad displays by a great band at its worst. Tangenta and Zvucni Zid have little or nothing to offer to the explorer of Yugoslav Prog. Zvucni Zid still features some smooth guitar licks and riffs by Stefanovski but pale in comparison to the first three albums.

Kao Kakao:

Kao Kakao is one of the most commercially successful albums of Yugoslavia during the 80’s. Mostly consisting of pop driven sounds you can still recognize the prog/roots of the band

Cekam kisu:

Putujemo:

Another successful pop album, not something for the prog lover but there is a gem within every album and that gem is Cukni vo Drvo.

Cukni vo Drvo:

Culture fact: Cukni vo drvo is Macedonian for “knock on wood” which is a saying in Yugoslav countries. Example: “Let’s knock on the wood that we are all alright” it can replace “thank goodness” if it’s more comprehensible that way.

Disbandment and reunion:

After a long hiatus(and some more or less successful live albums) the band decided to disband in 1995. 2006 a reunion tour was planned for the 30^th anniversary of the band. After the tour Vladko Stefanovski decided to leave the band for good, which came as a shock to many Leb i Sol fans.

I TAKA NATAKA:

With Dimitar Bozikov replacing Stefanovski and with Dado Topic (Who we all know quite well by now) the band recorded their latest album I TAKA NATAKA in 2008. Though the elements of prog have faded away jazz is strongly featured in the new album.

Not essential, nonetheless enjoyable.

Si zaljubiv edno mome:

Hope you all enjoyed this post and I sincerely apologize for the great delay. From now on I can only manage a post in a week or 2 with school starting. Priorities have to be set (sadly) and exams won’t be a stroll in the park this year (I’m getting sick of just thinking of them). Anyway next post might be a special post or a regular post so keep your eyes open.