LIVE ANTHOLOGY

"Live Anthology" was recorded in 1990 during the tour promoting their last studio album "Putujemo". At least several of the tracks, if not the entire concert set, were recorded at Kragujevac, Serbia, but I could not find the detailed liner notes. It featured their original quartet line-up which was responsible for making the first three masterpieces of jazz/ethno/fusion style. However, their last two albums, "Kao kakao" and "Putujemo", were produced in a more AOR, conventional rock manner, and the bulk of the material presented here (8 tracks) are taken from these two. They sound good (even better than studio versions) and convincing enough to attract the attention of the listener. Tavitijan especially showed his strong drumming skills which, along with Stefanovski's wonderful guitar work, is truly a signature mark of LEB I SOL sound. Only Dimusevski's keyboards are at moments too "plastic", evoking the "synthetic" 1980s sound. The set of instrumental tracks taken from their early albums ("Ajde sonce zajde", "Jovano, Jovanke" and "Kumova slama") features their famous Macedonian ethno/fusion and they are very good. Only the closing "Aber dojde Donke" was spoiled at the end by unnecessary coda featuring terrible synths. This is the only live album of LEB I SOL featuring drummer Tavitijan (the other two, "Akusticna trauma" and "Live in New York" were recorded with D. Djuricic) and it is surely a recommendation, to give a listen to his incredible drum/percussion set. Material presented comes from the final, more mainstream phase of the band, but it is performed with instrumental quality, and apart from few weak moments, this live set can satisfy both the band's fans and wider audience. 3,5 stars.