U JEDNIM PLAVIM OCIMA

Almost simultaneously with the previous single, "Samo jednom", which appeared on Jugoton label, Indexi released another 7" record, but this time for Diskoton. This release coincided with Indexi's performance at the Sarajevo Festival of Popular Music "Vas slager sezone '77", the finale of which was held on April 9, 1977, and the matrix for the single was cut on April 5. Thanks to the song "U jednim plavim ocima" (In Those Blue Eyes) by Enes Bajramovic, who at that time worked with the groups COD and Ambasadori, Indexi won the first prize at this festival for the second time. Judging by the group's photographs, which were taken during the festival and published in the press, the veteran drummer Djordje Kisic had returned to the group's lineup, which, with him and Nenad Jurin, would last with minor interruptions until 1996, which would in a way be the most stable lineup of Indexi in their entire career. However, the cover of the new single on the front page shows Indexi as a trio consisting of "Davor, Fadil and Bodo". For the design, a year-old photograph of the group taken from the same photo session by Dragan S. Stefanovic from which images were used for several previous singles was used again. Dressed in glam fashion, Indexi look at us somewhat sullenly and quizzically from the cover, as if suspiciously questioning whether their current light entertainment/schlager phase suits us. The visual absence of Kisic and Jurin from the cover may seem like an unfair act, but it is as if the record label or designer already understood that Indexi, all things considered, are essentially a trio consisting of: a somewhat charismatic singer with a distinctive vocal style, a self-effacing guitarist - a superb instrumentalist, composer and arranger, and an equally outstanding bassist, also a composer and arranger, who in addition sometimes writes solid lyrics, and sings backing vocals; and that the other members (keyboardists and drummers) are only "external collaborators". Whether you agree with this view or not, it should be admitted that the cover of this single is impressive and effective, and somewhat provocative in the described sense.

The winning schlager "U jednim plavim ocima" begins with a beautiful and lavish piano introduction, which is soon joined by a synthesizer and guitar, with the synthesizer leading the melody. In the chorus, female backing vocals stand out, and this song with a simple rhythm and catchy melody, which quickly gets into the ear, is an effective pop hit. The chorus somewhat foreshadows the future europop style of Novi fosili, formed under the influence of ABBA, who in that year began their raids on the Yugoslavian charts. The instrumental parts in which the solo guitar and synthesizer complement each other are also interestingly arranged by Fadil Redzic. On the B-side, we are greeted by Kovacevic's "Ana" with electric organs and high-pitched backing vocals. Here, the bass guitar melodically leads the slower-tempo number, while the synthesizer, wind sound effects, and solo guitar gradually join it. In this beautiful soft rock ballad, Davor sings the verses with a somewhat deeper, crooner-like vocal, which are interestingly contrasted by higher-register Queenesque harmony vocals. The end of the song brings a somewhat rockier Davor's singing, with music that slightly continues in the vein of their earlier progressive phase.

The lyrics for both songs were written by Mostar poet Miso Maric, who in those years often worked in tandem with Bodo Kovacevic. The recording took place in a Sarajevo studio with producer Milan Stupar and sound engineer Mufid Kosovic, while Antun Markovic also participated as an additional recording engineer in the festival hit. "U jednim plavim ocima" is one of Indexi's most successful hits in their entire career. The song remained on the Top 10 chart of domestic singles of "Politikin zabavnik's Hit-strana" for 17 weeks, from May 20 to September 16, 1977, and spent 4 weeks topping the chart. In Dzuboks magazine for June, it was also in the first place on the Top 10 chart of domestic singles. Fans of Indexi's earlier rock sound will probably not enjoy the lighter pop tones offered by this record, although to be fair, looking from a narrower genre-wise angle, this single is one of Indexi's better works from their schlager phase.

PA rating: 2,5/5 Personal rating: 3,5/5