RODJENJE

After the release of highly acclaimed album "Pjesme s planine", Drago Mlinarec appeared at Ljubljana "BOOM Pop Festival 1973" performing excellent version of the title song from that album, and subsequently embarked on a successful theatre play career, composing and writing songs and stage soundtrack. In this period Mlinarec already built an image of a remarkable singer/songwriter in ex-Yugoslavia who is admired by many but his music was never too commercial to reach the top lists. In late 1974 he briefly joined JUGOSLOVENSKA POP SELEKCIJA, a short-lived supergroup of renowned prog rock and jazz musicians. Soon he gathered a group to back him up on his next studio album, led by pianist Neven Franges that included bass player Davor Rocco and drummer Dragan Brcic (from the band SPEKTAR) along with some old comrades from GRUPA 220, notably bass player Nenad Zubak and guitarist Husein Hasanefendic.

The third album "Rodjenje" (Eng. "Birth") was released in early 1975 and brought more acoustic, mellow, melancholic and less rock-oriented material. The opening title track with atmospheric acoustic guitars and thunderstorm sound melts into the 15 minutes epic and one of his best songs "Helena lijepa i ja u kisi" ("Beautiful Helen And Me Out On The Rain"). It is a prototype of a progressive multi-part composition, with prominent use of piano, organ, acoustic guitars and laid-back rhythm section with melodic bass. In the second part, there is an excellent piano/organ-driven jazz/fusion improvisation with harmonica sounding similar to Stevie Wonder's. Upon its fadeout the remainder of the album is a very melodic and pleasant, mostly acoustic folksy tunes, which nonetheless make this album a wonderfully conceived "dreamy" listening experience. All songs are excellent and stunning in their refined simplicity. Sometimes it matches the acoustic passages of Donovan, MAGNA CARTA or Leonard Cohen, sometimes there is a feeling of Canterbury musical expression, while at other moments that of the acoustic, flute-less JETHRO TULL, like in XV century lyrics of "Jur nijedna na svit vila" (sung in old Dubrovnik dialect!). "Kule od rijeci" ("Towers Of Words") carries Neil Young-ish harmonica and chorus, while the closing instrumental "Tema iz 'Pozdrava'" ("Theme From 'Pozdravi'", a theatre play by Eugene Ionesco) with its pedal steel and ambient sound of guitars and keyboards anticipates the present-day alternative/chamber country style of LAMBCHOP and the likes.

This album is a masterpiece of sophisticated progressive singer/songwriter style of semi-acoustic folk-rock that not only surpasses Yugoslavian achievements in that field but matches the best international examples of the genre. Absolutely a must for any serious and self-esteemed music collection!

I can barely describe this album. One of the first Yugoslavian (Yugoslavian? Is that right?) album I heard with intensity. After the more rock centred (and quite good) previous offerings, Drago Mlinarec offers a full folk-and-beyond album.

I said "and beyond" exactly because, after listening the two other albums we are lead to believe in something more closely to the early format. Fortunately, the initial sounds of rain already stop whatever though you have in the moment, allowing the melodie to unfold in a good trip. The melodies are developed slowly, mainly in acoustic guitar and later with keyboards. The music itself never sits quietly in any place - you do have the sensation of flowing through all of them.

A early Pink Floyd atmosphere follow the whole work, especially the last song, that reminds more a "Meddle" aproach. The acoustic guitar of Drago, the power house of the album, could be compare with Ian Anderson playing... but Drago really has different backgrouds and sound quite unique.

A musical voyage to figure among the best of Yugoslavian scene. 5 stars.

Probably one of the significant albums of the Yugoslavian 70s' era. On his third album, Drago offers a medieval and classical sound inevitably similar to Jethro Tull. The flute melodies and his ethereal voice show off Drago's influences. "Helena Lijepa I Ja U Kisi" is clearly the highlight of the album and the one that surrounds the other songs, and it is also one of the best examples to represent folk rock not only from his nation but also from around the world due to its versatile and experimental structure that starts as a sort of Thick As A Brick and then takes different paths as the song goes on: a rain that accompanies the fading melodies; an improvisation rooted in jazz fusion; a definitive and fragile ending where the instruments calm down and all the energy is concentrated in the poetry of the lyrics and Drago's voice. One of the most beautiful suites of folk rock! After this song, the album maintains its level but everything is born with an atmosphere of peace where the instruments suffer less the prejudices of the listener and everything is left in the hands of a more relaxed and less frenetic semi-acoustic sound (although one could also say that the frenzy does not exist in this album). Definitely a natural and quality work!