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Review by Seyo
5 stars
The second LEB I SOL album repeats the formula from the debut. The same line-up, the same instrumentation, the same producer (J.Bocek) and similar ratio between instrumentals and songs with lyrics (one less in this case ). Preconditions for the "second album trap"? No, this time we are talking about genuine masterpiece of ex-Yugo fusion! Production is better, all instruments sound better, compositions are better, and all musicians expressed their ideas more bravely. Stefanovski is not much of a vocalist - indeed, LEB I SOL are first and foremost the instrumentalists - the vocals are often moved to the second front, much like Andy Latimer did with CAMEL. But even his rare voice is better here on the second album. Side A of the original vinyl (first 4 tracks) are simply stunning: "Akupunktura", "Kako ti drago", a great crescendo of another traditional "Aber dojde Donke" and vocal hit "Talasna duzina" are worth the price alone. But the rest must not be overlooked: the most furious guitar solo I ever heard in "Marija" and a closing short acoustic song "Bonus" which was to become a sort of LEB I SOL anthem during their live performances when it was usually pretty extended. All members of the team are giving their best, especially Dimusevski's piano and synths shine. LEB I SOL music was always more melodic and skillfully played than avant-garde or explorative, so if you are looking for a tasty and technically superb rework of traditional Macedonian folk melodies with odd time signatures done in a vein of Allan Holdsworth playing guitar with RETURN TO FOREVER, search no more! It is available on a "2LP on1CD" reissue coupled with "Leb i sol" (T.Pics/PGP RTS, CD 2036, 2000) so you better go and get it!

Leb i Sol ("Bread And Salt") Leb i Sol 2 1978






Leb i Sol Marija ("Mariah", the track from Leb i Sol 2) live at Metropolis Arena, Skoplje, 2006






Leb i Sol Dikijeva igra ("Diki's Dance", the track from Leb i Sol 2) live in Skoplje, 2006






Leb i Sol Aber dojde donke (untranslatable; the track from Leb i Sol 2) live in Belgrade, 1978

Review by Mellotron Storm

4 stars

What an excellent debut from this Yugoslavian band that was released back in the latter half of the seventies. I was reminded of SMAK and SYNKOPY at times with their steller instrumental work and enjoyable vocal tracks.
"Devetka" gets things started with laid back guitar and piano before the clavinet arrives.This is all so inventive and it sounds really good too. I like the electric piano and bass around 2 1/2 minutes as well. "Pod Vodom" is more uptempo and the electric piano is fantastic. Guitar and piano take turns leading the way. "Utrinska Tema" features vocals for the first time. This is a relaxed song with piano,drums and vocals leading.The bass becomes prominant later on.

"Kokoska" opens with a good drum show then the guitar and bass come in after a minute then keyboards. Clavinet and guitar follow. "Nisam Tvon" is mellow with vocals, piano and drums. It gets fuller as contrasts continue. "U Senci" features some killer guitar a minute in then it settles right down before 2 minutes. It kicks back in late. "Cudo Za Tri Dana" opens with acoustic guitar and reserved vocals.Synths wash in then it kicks in to a fuller sound at 2 minutes. "Pesma O Sonji H..." is laid back with piano. Flute comes and goes. It picks up 3 1/2 minutes in but not for long. Not a fan of this one. "Damar" becomes uptempo and synths wash in after 3 minutes.

A solid 4 stars and a worthy addition to any collection. A very talented band.

Leb i Sol s/t debut album, 1977





Leb i Sol Pod vodom ("Underwater", the track from s/t debut album) live from the Boom Festival, Novi Sad, 1977







Leb i Sol "Devetka" ("Nine", the track from s/t debut) live at Skoplje, 2006






Leb i Sol Kokoška ("A Chicken", the track from s/t debut) live in Skoplje 2006

In the second half of the 70s, Smak released some nice singles with the songs that weren't released on the albums. Here are some of those.





Smak Nevidljive terazije ("Invisible Terasis"; A-side of 12-inch single), 1978








Smak Hitopadeza (untranslatable word; B-side of 12-inch single; INSTRUMENTAL), 1978










Smak Gore Dole ("Up & Down"; B-side of 7-inch single), 1979








Smak Ljudi, nije fer ("People, It's Not Fair"; A-side of 7-inch single), 1976












Smak El Dumo ("El Doomo"; Ellis cover; B-side of 7-inch single), 1976 (this video is with lyrics in English)

Sončna Pot were a fusion band that used Mellotron what was rare in the 70s fusion.


Sončna Pot Žarek ("Ray") 1979







Sončna Pot Hrepenenje ("Longing") 1979







Sončna Pot Skozi ("Through") 1979









Sončna Pot Na poti ("On Path") 1979








Sončna Pot live at Jazz Club Kranj,  1980

7 Sbetlosnih Let Krinko razkrinkaj (untranslatable) live at the Boom Festival, Ljubljana 1974






Sunce Sunce ("Sun") live at the Boom Festival, Ljubljana 1974






Jutro Tarantela ("Tarantell") live at the Boom Festival, Ljubljana 1974

Čisti zrak Katakomba ("Catacombs") 1975








Čisti zrak 301 1975

Smak Tendži tandži (untranslatable words) 1978








Smak Ponoćni lovac ("Midnight Hunter") 1978








Smak Nebo je samo drum bez dna ("The Sky Is Just An Endless Path ") 1978








Smak Povedi me s njim ("Take Me With Him") 1978








Smak Maht tema (untranslatable) (instrumental) 1978








Smak Tendži tandži live @ Belgrade's Arena 2012

Željko Bebek U tišini ("In Silence") 1978







Željko Bebek Skoro da smo isti  ("Almost We Are Same") 1978






Željko Bebek Srušeni zidovi ("Broken Walls") 1978








Željko Bebek Podijum ("A Stage") 1978