KORNI GRUPA

At the beginning of the 70s in Yugoslavia not many artists were given opportunity to record an album. Indeed, when speaking of rock music, the preferred media format still was a single or EP, and of course the rock discographic industry was underdeveloped. However, among the first four LP records of rock music issued in this period, the two belonged to the progressive genre - the first TIME album and this one. "Korni grupa" is excellent example of early Yugoslavian prog rock which will remain unique effort of the best known line-up of Kovac, Bocek, Hreljac, Furduj and Pejakovic. This album established Bocek as a guitar-virtuoso, Kovac as a master of keyboards and talented composer, Pejakovic proved his vocal capabilities while the jazz-influenced rhythm section of Furduj and Hreljac gave a strong basis for above three. This album contains "Put za istok", an epic composition which will be a live favourite in their concerts and one of these will be included in the live set of a posthumuos double LP "Mrtvo more". The opener "Glas sa obale boja" is another highlight with combined acoustic and electric guitar riffs, while "Moj bol" offers a wild Bocek's guitar solo with some unnecessary vocal exhibitions by Pejakovic. "Bezglave ja-ha horde" is very close to jazz fusion with furious tempo and interesting combination of guitar solo exhibition and frenetic vocal screaming; this song will also be re-recorded for the second album "Not An Ordinary Life" where it would appear under the title "Fall Off The Land Of Women". The final song "Tata Ko i mama Spo" is a slow pseudo-ballad, with guitar weep effectively emulating the sound of a child's cry over a dispute between the divorced parents. This fine album still rocks after more than 30 years and it was amazingly well-produced given the circumstances in the music industry of the former Yugoslavia. Despite some weak vocal moments of "Moj bol", to give anything less than 5 stars would be rather cynical. This album is available on CD issued by Raglas/PGP RTS Records.