TAKO

"Tako" (1975) and "U Vreci Za Spavanje" (1980) are two great reissues from the Brazilian label Rock Symphony, a label that have reissued many forgotten jewels before such as ALPHA III, FRAGIL, MALIBRAN, and new releases with HADDAD and TEMPUS FUGIT.

- TAKO are something as unusual as a Yugoslavian jazz-rock and symphonic progressive rock band. The band was put together in 1975 and the band's name means "this way". Between 1975 and their split up in 1981 they released two classical albums: "Tako" (1975) and "U Vréci Za Spavanje" (1980).

- In my opinion the 70's were the heydays for progressive rock, and TAKO have all the ingredients that makes these releases worth owning. They were a 70's band, their sound is very 70's oriented, the cover is so wonderful 70's and the music is complex with lengthy instrumental passages. TAKO's music is a mix between CAMEL, FOCUS, FOCUS, JETHRO TULL, OZRIC TENTACLES, PINK FLOYD and SOLARIS.

- I strongly recommend you to buy these two albums if you're into 70's progressive rock. This is how progressive rock sounded long before today's progressive metal.

As it turns out Yugoslavia had their share of prog acts. SMAK, KORNI GRUPA, LEB I SOL, and this particular band, TAKO are some examples. TAKO managed only two albums, in which this self-entitled album was their debut. The band consisted of bassist/vocalist Dusan Æuæuz, keyboardist/flautist/harmonical player Ðorde Illijan, guitarist/vocalist Miroslav Dukiæ, and drummer Slobodan Felekatoviæ. Ðorde Illijan tends to use a lot of Elka Rhapsody string synth, as well as electric piano.

Some of the music tends to have a bit of a fusion influence. A couple of songs have vocals, including the opening cut "Probudi Se". It's in Serbo-Croation, so it's nice to hear the language in a prog setting. This song tends to be dominated by Illijan's Elka. "Sinteza" shows the more fusion-end of the band, especially when Illijan uses the Fender Rhodes electric piano. Perhaps my favorite is "Utapanje Sunèeve Sveltlosi U Pesèanu Memoriju", where the band goes through several changes. Again the vocals appear here. I especially like the guitar work of Miroslav Dukiæ found here. "Lena" is a short, flute-dominated piece that bears more than a passing resemblance to Hungary's SOLARIS (making me believe SOLARIS was influenced by TAKO, since SOLARIS' debut did not appear until the 1980s). "Minijatura" is another flute-dominated piece, that brings to mind JETHRO TULL. Then the album closes with the 16 minute epic "Druga Strana Mene". The CD reissue comes with a bonus cut, "Put Na Jug", which is a nice addition, this one also has vocals. I don't exactly call this album essential. For one thing, the production isn't all that great (but then I expect that, coming from a communist country), but by Eastern European standards, this is definately one of the better albums.

My rating: 3 1/2 stars

TAKO (Eng. "That Way") was one of those rare ex-Yugoslavian symphonic prog bands that did not engage in mainstream pop-rock and were truly devoted to play "non- commercial" music. They formed in 1975 and recorded several demos in the studio of Belgrade Radio station. Since 1977 they established the line-up consisting of: Dusan Cucuz-bass, Djordje Ilijin-keyboards and flute, Miroslav Dukic-guitar and Slobodan Felekatovic-drums. In August 1977 TAKO played as support to mega-sellers BIJELO DUGME at their famous "Hajducka cesma" open-air concert in front of some 100 000 fans. At this period they experimented with quadrophenia sound system during joint live gigs with S VREMENA NA VREME, another popular progressive folk rock band. Recording companies were reluctant to sign them up due to their alleged "non- commercial" potentials, but finally RTV Ljubljana label decided to give them opportunity and they recorded the eponymous debut in 1978.

Songwriting is co-authored by Cucuz, Ilijin and Dukic, while the album carries six uneven compositions with obvious influences from the classic symphonic prog and jazz-rock standards. The opener "Probudi se" is excellent vocal track sounding a bit like PINK FLOYD or ELOY. "Sinteza" is more into jazz-rock with nice piano parts and there is a strange blues-like section with harmonica. "Utapanje sunceve svetlosti u pescanu memoriju" is also quite interesting piece with several different parts and chilling closing vocal section where the lyrics are influenced by Eastern philosophy (Buddhist?). "Lena" is an easy piece with flute but here the band starts loosing direction, which will continue in the extended suite-like "Druga strana mene" - a 16-minutes improvisation that offers zero really interesting ideas and above all is a very boring listen. The closing number "Minijatura" is a sort of homage to JETHRO TULL, and here you can listen to wonderful double-flute solo, in a manner similar to Ian Anderson's.

This album is quite interesting ex-Yugoslavian prog rock although its compositions are under-developed and sometimes not fully realised. I can still recommend it to prog lovers, especially to the fans of JETHRO TULL, CAMEL or FOCUS, but I would not call it an essential work. Still, closer to 4 than to 3 stars.

TAKO were a band out of Yugoslavia who released two studio albums, this is their self titled debut from 1978. It's mostly instrumental but what vocals we get are well done and in their own native language.

"Probudi Se" sounds really good early on as we get a lazy beat and a dreamy sound as vocals join in. It does get fuller. Check out the guitar letting it rip before 2 minutes when the vocals stop. More of that guitar later.Good tune. "Sinteza" opens with piano, drums and guitar standing out. Guitar to the fore after 1 1/2 minutes and it's almost Gilmour-like but not quite.The sound changes 3 minutes in as we get some scorching harmonica. "Utapanse Sunceve Svetlosti U Pescanu Memoriju" has these outbursts of sound that come and go. Check out the drumming after 2 minutes.Then the guitar starts to lead. Nice. Keyboards before 3 1/2 minutes then the guitar returns after 4 minutes. Vocals a minute later. "Lena" opens with piano, drums then guitar. Flute after 1 1/2 minutes. It's the guitar's turn before 3 minutes. Flute is back after 4 minutes.

"Minijatura" opens with flute and a beat.It picks up before a minute then settles back late. "Druga Strana Mene" is the 16 1/2 minute epic. It has this bombastic intro then it kicks into gear before a minute. A nice heavy sound here, then the synths roll in. Some spirited flute comes and goes. A calm before 3 1/2 minutes then the guitar starts to make some noise after 4 minutes. The flute takes over with spacey synths and a beat. A change after 7 1/2 minutes which reminds me of Oldfield. Another change after 11 minutes with prominant piano. Organ and flute create a melancholic mood late. "Put Na Jug" has lots going on early. Piano a minute in then it settles to a spacey soundscape. Vocals join in and it picks up with guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. Nice. The piano is back replacing the guitar late.

I wasn't blown away by this album by any means but there's enough here to give it 4 stars I believe.

The legendary Serbian act was found in 1975 in Beograd by ex-Opus bassist Dusan Cucuz.He gathered keyboardist Djordje Ilijin, guitarist Sava Bojic from Pop Masina and drummer Milan Lolic for the originaol line-up of the band.Initially Tako played covers of Jimi Hendrix Experience and Santana and soon had to face the departure of Lolic and Bojic (he went to the army).They were replaced by Slobodan Felekatovic and Miroslav Dukic respectively and Tako became a live beast the following years.With a difficult style they found it hard to sign with a label, eventually ZKP showed interest in them and released their self-titled debut in 1978.

This one is definitely among the best Classic Prog LP's to ever come out from Eastern Europe with a fantastic sound and a variety of influences.The opening ''Probudi se'' is a marvellous piece of vocal-led Space Rock with nice deep synth work, but the following ''Sinteza'' is even better with its unique Symphonic/Jazz/Space Rock sound, somewhere between the electric piano approach of RETURN TO FOREVER and the melodic delicacy of CAMEL with occasional heavy interplays and even some harmonica solo.Things will get even more heavier with ''Utapanje sunceve svetlosti u pescanu memoriju''.Fiery interplays and multiple breaks scan the territory of Heavy Italian-styled Prog in the vein of MUSEO ROSENBACH and the Canterbury Fusion style of CAMEL and NATIONAL HEALTH, fantastic performance to say the least.''Lena'' is the most emotional and dramatic track of the album.A pounding low-tempo rhythm section supports Ilijin's deep synths, piano and organ and Dukic'es FOCUS-like emotional guitar soloing, while the middle-part flute solo is among the best I've heard.The short instrumental ''Minijatura'' follows the vein of OSANNA/JETHRO TULL with flute in evidence and having strong Classical leanings.And we head for the 16-min. ''Druga strana mene'' (the other side of myself) and its perfect sound.Incorporating influences from Classical Prog, Jazz/Fusion, flute-based Prog and Space Rock, Tako manage to offer one of the better epics I've heard in a long time.The composition is extremely tight and well-built around symphonic synths, jazzy interludes, Classical breaks, driving flutes, emotional guitars and spacey floating atmospheres, resulting to a magnificent and thrilling piece of inspired music.

The end of this listening will find you simply stunned.This is the best Serbian Prog release of all times,a work of sheer beauty, deep inspiration and great complexity with all arrangements reaching the perfection.A must have for ages and, of course, extremely highly recommended.

This album has followed me around for several years. It was probably the first, or one of them at any rate, album from Eastern Europe that I discovered. It wasn't until a few years later that I came to grips with it and fell in love with the music. This is actually a very good album of spacey progressive rock with not so small adose of jazz. Almost entirely instrumental it has, however, vocals imbedded in a few tracks. The main focus is on the instumentation. Since I feel a certain resistance towards purely instrumental music (God knows why) I feel that there is just enough vocal parts to keep me happy.

Tako originated from the former Jugoslavia. Today they would be categorized as Serbian. That means that the vocals are sung in their native tongue. To me that is a great plus, though I understand practically nothing of what they are singing. I think it holds little significance, even though I love to understand a good lyric. If I had the urge I could make the content out by way of google and what not but I haven't come to that as yet. The vocals are decent enough and brings yet another level to the music.

The opening track, "Probudi se", is a very spacey thing indeed. I hear elements of Eloy and Solaris but it is hard to say who did it first. Solaris was not yet in their existence, as far as I know, and Eloy wasn't quite there yet but still they are relevant as to give a hint of the music on this album. "Sinteza" is a very jazzy, fusion-like track and fantastic. Really energetic. I hear echoes of Jazz Q in their rockier moments. Great stuff. The bluesy harmonica adds to the music too.

"Utapanje..." is a spacey piece, again, but with a very complex riff played by electric piano, guitar and drums. Very good track and there is a section of vocals aswell. The song "Lena" is instrumental and the flute makes it very Solaris-y. Dreamy, beautiful and engaging. "Minijatura" is a lovely, flute driven thing reminding of early Jethro Tull. (It is amazing, I sometimes think, how certain bands stands as blueprint for certain genres or musical directions. Like Jethro Tull and flute in a bluesy, folky, hard rock and prog setting.)

The epic "Druga strana mene" is really the centerpiece of the album. Spacey, diverse and with several parts combined it is a majestic piece of music. I think it is absolutely magnificent. The greatest thing about it is that it never gets boring. All through it's 16 minutes I feel committed and engaged, submerged in the music.

Terrific!

Takos first album really is one of the greatest albums from behind the Wall and shows just how talented and visionary some of the bands actually were. Despite the regimes and their censorship they managed to create not only great music but also and foremost some of the most enthralling albums of prog. I think this album is an essential listening experience, just as with Modry Efekt and SBB and other greats. The instrumentation, vision and execution on this album is top notch.

This is easily four stars.

Imagine a combination of the melodicism and pastoral moods of Trespass-era Genesis with the jazz-flavoured chops of Relayer-era Yes, marinade in classic-era Camel's willingness to dial back on the vocals and let the instrumental work do the talking, then sprinkle on some spacey, psychedelic atmosphere, and maybe you'll start thinking along the same sort of directions that Tako take on this debut album. The magnificent Druga Strana Mene is the truly standout track, a 16 minute voyage that fascinates for its entire running time, but the shorter pieces that build up to it are also laudable. Đorđe Ilijin gets the most valued player award with memorable contributions on both keyboards and flute.

Review Nº 769

Tako was a Yugoslavian progressive rock band formed in 1974. Tako is something unusual as a Yugoslavian jazz- rock and symphonic progressive rock band formed in those years. Those were years of difficult times to the progressive rock music in that country. Between 1974 and their split up in 1981 Tako released two classic progressive rock albums, their eponymous debut studio album 'Tako' in 1978 and their second studio album 'U Vr'ci Za Spavanje' in 1980.

Tako from Belgrade was perhaps next to Igra Staklenih Perli, also formed in Belgrade, the most famous progressive rock act from the former Yugoslavia. Their two albums 'Tako' and 'U Vreci Za Spavanje' were for a long time next to the first eponymous debut studio album of Igra Staklenih Perli the rarest and most sought album of the Yugoslav's progressive rock. A few years ago, both Tako albums were re-released on CD by the Brazilian Rock Symphony label.

Tako was formed in 1974 by Dusan 'Dule' Cucuz (bass guitar), Djordje Ilijin (keyboards), Sava Bojic (guitar and vocals) and Milan 'Mica Zorz' Lolic (drums). Initially, beside their own songs, the band performed Jimi Hendrix Experience and Santana covers. During 1975, they made their first demo recordings in the Radio Belgrade studios. In 1977, guitarist and singer Miroslav Dukic and drummer Slobodan Felekatovic replaced Bojic and Lolic. Tako became an opening band on a Bijelo Dugme tour. In 1977, Tako and the progressive acoustic rock band S Vremena Na Vreme organized a concert in Belgrade. Tako had a successful appearance at the 1978 Novi Sad Boom Festival. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1978. It featured prog music with some jazz influences. The album was promoted on a free concert.

Tako is purely a prog rock band. Spherical keyboard carpets are a source of inspiration from Pink Floyd, touches of distinctive heavy riffs stand for the aforementioned British rock tradition in the wake of Deep Purple & Co., while the band's remembers the tingling fusion variation of the 70's in time honoured jazz rock outfits. Tako have united on their debut album these three stylistic cornerstones to a really worth listening of Symphonic Rock, which can offer not only elegiac sound surfaces but also pungent rock inlays, which at times don't stop at discreet fusion outings. The music on 'Tako' is clearly attributed to the classic prog rock era of the 70's. The 'exotic' origin is recognizable only on vocals. The dominant instrument is the guitar. Sometimes even electric piano is in the foreground and provides for slight jazz influences. A few beautiful flute inserts are also available. Especially with 'Minijatura' it becomes apparent that the name of Jethro Tull was not unknown even in Yugoslavia. But that doesn't mean that Tako was a pure clone of the British prog rock bands, even though that the influence of other genre greats such as Pink Floyd is always audible.

'Tako' has six tracks. The first track 'Probudi Se' (Wake Up) is a marvellous piece that sounds really good. It's a very spacey track with a good tune and an excellent vocal work. It sounds to me a bit like Pink Floyd and Eloy, which isn't a strange thing to me, really. The second track 'Sinteza' (Synthesis) is more into the jazz-rock style with some nice piano parts. It's an excellent track, really energetic. It has some nice piano parts and the strange blues-like harmonica section adds to the track a very special feeling, indeed. The third track 'Utapanje Sunceve Svetlosti Pescanu Memoriju' (Merging Sunlight Into The Memory Of Sand) is a spacey piece where the band goes through several changes. It's a complex track very well played by electric piano, guitar and drums. This is a very interesting piece with several different parts, fiery interplays and some multiple breaks. It has a nice vocal section too. The fourth track 'Lena' is an easy instrumental piece dominated by flute. It's one of the most emotional and dramatic tracks on the album. All band's members made an excellent work here. The fifth track 'Minijatura' (Miniature) is the shortest track on the album. It's another flute dominated piece, which brings to my mind Jethro Tull. This is a piece with some very strong classical leanings. The sixth track 'Druga Strana Mene' (Second Side Of Me) is the epic track on the album. This is the centrepiece of the album. It's very spacey and incorporates diverse influences from the classic prog with several parts combined. The composition is very tight and well built, resulting to a magnificent and thrilling piece of inspired music.

Conclusion: 'Tako' is a classic prog rock album. This is a very good album very well played and without weak tracks. The instrumentation, vision and execution on the album are really great. It represents a very nice surprise to me that confirms all the good things I've heard about it. This is one of the greatest albums released in the East Europe when those countries were more or less separated of the rest of the world. When I heard this album it comes to my memory some of the greatest prog names, such as, Pink Floyd, Camel, Jethro Tull, Ozric Tentacles, Tangerine Dream and even the classical music of the Baroque period. So, this is a very good and interesting proposal. This is definitely one of the better albums by the Eastern European standards, at the time. It isn't a masterpiece but is great enough to be checked.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)