RUCNI RAD

After two successfull albums LEB I SOL decided not to repeat the formula but to go into a deeper exploration of jazz.

For the third album they almost abandoned the lyrics and invited a saxophone guest for two tracks. Vocals are present but except "Lenja pesma", an excellent even semi-commercial hit at the time, they were utilized as an instrument. Dimusevski is more active than ever with his electric piano and plethora of synths, Stefanovski's guitar technique is brought to perfect here,while rhythm section of Tavitijan and Arsovski is impeccable as always. Macedonian folk is less present in favour of more "avant-garde" approach in a manner of jazz improvistions, so "Rucni rad" is not very accessible on the first listen.

Production of Josip Bocek is finally top notch for the time, the whole album carries the balanced sound of all instruments, perfectly arranged so you could get a sense of the band playing as a single body. Solos are rare but very effective and functional.

All 7 tracks are perfect but obvious favorites would be "Lenja pesma" (lyrics as always by Goran Stefanovski, Vlatko's brother, who is a renowned Macedonian playright), Arsovski's title track "Rucni rad" with some beautiful fretless bass melody line and Stefanovski's "Kumova slama", one of the most memorable instrumentals of the former Yugo music scene, beautiful melody with emotional guitar solo weeping. However there is present a sort of optimistic, positive feeling in this composition which sometimes reminds me of the similar style found in say "Jessica" by ALLMAN BROTHERS. This is a true gem of ex-Yugo prog and probably the best fusion album of the era just before the coming of New Wave age.

It is available on a "2LP on1CD" reissue coupled with the fourth album "Infinity" (T.Pics/PGP RTS, CD 2046, 2000) so you better go and get it!

After having silently disappeared behind huge piles of law books, I'm finally back with some of the most exciting bands I discovered this year... thanks to Seyo and to this website and thanks also to my longly coveted holydays in Itsria.

Leb i Sol are often overlooked by many prog fellows and that's probably due to the difficulty to find albums of theirs without recurring to internet sellers. Well, I recommend you to try. Not just because you love jazz-rock sound but as prog lovers in general.

After their tremendous second album, simply titled Leb i Sol 2 (which cover I'm proud to call show now as my avatar!), the most important macedonian band gives us a more symphonic effort, slightly less eclectic and varied than the previous work. Notwithstanding, Rucni Rad is a hell of an album too, more mature and very well produced and, at the same time, very different from that. More keyboards and less guitar's aggressiveness, more delicacy as in the pleasant title track itself.

Could you imagine Mahavisnu Orchestra duet with Camel? Well, it's a fabulous experience for ears. Excellent. The only problem is whether this album is better than Leb i Sol 2 or not. After so many listenings, now I'm sure I prefer the predecessor 'cause of its more original variety of styles. Despite that, Rucni Rad comes close and sometimes delivers some of the most outsanding numbers as the explosive Rebus.

Some delicate remembrance of Banco (Canto di Primavera's period) here and there are also worthy of special mention.

Beautiful melodies and great sax solos as in the memorable closer Verni Pas. Sad atmosphere and mellow choruses. Great.

4,5 highly recommended!

Possibly, one of the best album of Leb i Sol, Macedonian band. If two previous works were more filled with Balkan world melodies and rhythms, this third one is mostly jazz fusion album.

Strongly influenced by genre leaders, the album contains well balanced music with sound, where one can find RTF,Mahavishnu Orchestra,symphonic prog traces. Sound recorded at very good level, with rich bass line and airy rounded electric guitar. Electronic keyboards play their important mission in common sound as well.

Album's opener is quite pop-oriented song with vocals, but then you will hear many instrumental fusion pieces. If there are some Macedonian motives in instrumental compositions, another characteristic moment is very melodic,soulful and rounded "Slavic" sound ( you often can hear it in music of mostly each Eastern European band). Similar nuances are quite usual in music of some French bands,or RPI.

In some compositions guest sax player added its instrument's voice, but sax sounds quite in traditions of pop-jazz. Great work,if a bit too soft and safe for my taste.

Another great fusion album from 70-s, no way masterpiece, but possibly one of the best genre's example from former Yugoslavia.

Three and half, rounded to 4.

LEB I SOL's third album is on a par with the first two in my opinion but I would give the first two a bit of an edge over "Rucni Rad" if I was listing them by favourites.

"Lenja Pesma" is bright and uptempo with vocals. Love this song.The bass is prominant the way I like it too. We get guitar after 2 minutes when the vocals stop followed by synths before the vocals return. "Rebus" has lots of keyboards early on and it turns jazzy around a minute with bass.The drumming is excellent here.The guitar 3 1/2 minutes in proceeds to rip it up. "Hogar" kicks in before a minute. Man this guy can drum ! The guitar is lighting it up late as the bass throbs.

"Rucni Rad" is more laid back with piano, bass and drums standing out. Some relaxed guitar before 3 1/2 minutes and vocal melodies come in late. "Kumova Slama" is another relaxed tune with synths this time.Vocal melodies around 4 minutes followed by guitar as it becomes more aggressive. "Put U Vedro" is mellow and I like the guest sax which sounds incredible. So much going on here. Good tune ! "Verni Pas" opens with keys then the bass joins in. Synths 1 1/2 minutes in and sax comes in later.Vocal melodies after 3 1/2 minutes.

If you can find any of LEB I SOL's first three studio albums or their double live recording don't even hesitate. A solid 4 stars.