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The book ''[[YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike]]'' (''YU 100: The Best albums of Yugoslav pop and rock music'') features two Smak albums: ''[[Crna dama]]'' (ranked #40) and ''[[Smak (album)|Smak]]'' (ranked #63).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Antonić|first1=Duško|last2=Štrbac|first2=Danilo|title= YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike|year=1998|publisher=YU Rock Press|location=Belgrade|page=}}</ref>
The book ''[[YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike]]'' (''YU 100: The Best albums of Yugoslav pop and rock music'') features two Smak albums: ''[[Crna dama]]'' (ranked #40) and ''[[Smak (album)|Smak]]'' (ranked #63).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Antonić|first1=Duško|last2=Štrbac|first2=Danilo|title= YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike|year=1998|publisher=YU Rock Press|location=Belgrade|page=}}</ref>


In 2006, "Plava pesma" was ranked #61 on the [[B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs]] list.<ref>[http://www.b92.net/radio/100yunajboljih/ The B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list at B92 official site]</ref>
In 2006, "Plava pesma" was ranked #61 on the [[B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs]] list.<ref>[http://www.b92.net/radio/100yunajboljih/ The B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list at B92 official site]</ref> In 2011, "Daire" was polled, by the listeners of [[Radio Belgrade|Radio 202]], one of 60 greatest songs released by [[PGP-RTB]]/[[PGP-RTS]].<ref>[http://sr-rs.facebook.com/notes/miloš-georgijević-gera/60-хитова-емисије-пгп-на-202/10150286181179320 60 хитова емисије ПГП на 202!, facebook.com]</ref>


== Discography ==
== Discography ==

Revision as of 14:28, 8 December 2011

Smak
Smak in 1975 (from left to right): Laza Ristovski, Slobodan Stojanović "Kepa", Radomir Mihajlović "Točak", Zoran Milanović and Boris Aranđelović
Smak in 1975 (from left to right): Laza Ristovski, Slobodan Stojanović "Kepa", Radomir Mihajlović "Točak", Zoran Milanović and Boris Aranđelović
Background information
OriginKragujevac, Serbia
GenresProgressive rock, jazz rock, blues rock, folk rock, hard rock, psychedelic rock
Years active1971 – 1981
1986
1992
1994 – 2002
2010 – present
LabelsPGP-RTB, Suzy, ZKP RTLJ, Bellaphon, Fantasy Records, RCA, Sorabia Disk, Vans, Komuna, A Records, Razglas Records, PGP-RTS, Active Time, One Records
MembersRadomir Mihajlović
Dejan Najdanović
Slobodan Stojanović
Milan Milosavljević
Dejan Stojanović
Miloš Petrović
Past membersZoran Milanović
Slobodan Kominac
Miša Nikolić
Boris Aranđelović
Laza Ristovski
Miki Petkovski
Tibor Levay
Srđan Miodragović
Dado Topić
Chris Nicols
Milan Đurđević
Vlada Samardžić
Sale Marković

Smak (Serbian Cyrillic: Смак; trans. Endtime) is a Serbian and former Yugoslav rock band. The group reached the peak of popularity in the 1970s when it was one of the top acts of the former Yugoslav rock scene. The band's leader, guitarist Radomir Mihajlović, nicknamed "Točak" ("The Wheel"), is considered one of the top and most influential guitarists on the former Yugoslav rock scene.

History

1971–1981

Smak was formed in December 1971 by musicians from Čačak, Kraljevo and Kragujevac: Radomir Mihajlović (guitar), Zoran Milanović (bass guitar), Slobodan "Kepa" Stojanović (drums), Slobodan Kominac (vocals), and Miša Nikolić (organ). At the time a play entitled Smak, dedicated to the schoolchildren killed during Kragujevac massacre, was performed at the Kragujevac theatre, and the band members choose the play title for their name. During their initial period the band often changed vocalists. In the beginning the band performed across Šumadija, mostly at school dances, playing covers of popular rock songs. The band members spent the 1971 - 1973 period writing their own songs. At this time Mihajlović wrote 22 instrumental songs, from "Biska 2" to "Biska 23", dedicated to his friend from Čačak, a guitarist nicknamed Biska. These songs defined the band's sound, progressive rock with jazz and blues elements.

Smak spent the summer of 1972 performing in Herceg Novi, followed by a Serbian tour. In April 1973 the band appeared at the Požarevac Gitarijada Festival (not to be confused with Zaječar Gitarijada Festival) and was seen as the best new rock band. This was followed by a successful appearance at the Pop Music Festival in Sanad. In October the vocalist Boris Aranđelović permanently joined the band after auditioning with a performance of Deep Purple's "Child in Time".

The early 1974 Smak spent working on new demos as well as looking for the new keyboard player. Tihomir "Pop" Asanović was approached to join the band, but he turned the offer down. The band released their debut single with songs "Živim ja" ("I Live"), originally entitled "Biska 13", and "Biska 16" in 1974 through PGP-RTB.[1] The song "Živim ja" featured the flutist Sreten Tasić "Tasa",[2] at the time member of Oliver Mandić's band Oliver, who by chance turned up at the studio during the recording session. Smak performed in Belgrade for the first time on November 10, 1974 during the Radio Belgrade show Veče uz radio (Evening by the Radio) anniversary concert, alongside Bijelo Dugme, Pop Mašina and other top bands of the time. Several days later the band performed at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology. This was the band's first performance with their new keyboard player Laza Ristovski (a former Bezimeni and Boki Milošević Orchestra member). This was Ristovski's guest performance. He officially became a member in January 1975. Soon after, Smak performed with Hungarian band Omega in Dom Sindikata Hall. In February the band performed at the Rock Evening of Opatija Festival, and afterwards in Zagreb at the Kongres rock majstora concert (Congress of Rock Masters). The general expectation was that Mihajlović would be declared the best guitarists of the event. However, the judges decided in the end that the top four guitarists were Bata Kostić (of YU grupa), Vedran Božić (of Time), Josip Boček (formerly of Korni Grupa) and Goran Bregović (of Bijelo Dugme). This decision raised a few eyebrows since all of them were signed to Jugoton record label, the principal event organiser. Shortly after, Smak performed as a support band on the Deep Purple concert in Belgrade. This further expanded their growing fan base.

In April 1975 the release of the single "Ulazak u Harem" ("Entry to Harem") caused quite a stir. It turned out to be a first major controversy in the Yugoslav music industry. Smak signed deals with two record labels - Ljubljana's ZKP RTLJ and Zagreb's Suzy. Both labels simultaneously released the "Ulazak u Harem". ZKP RTLJ released it with B-side "Epitaf" ("Epitaph") and Suzy Records with "Sto ptica" ("100 Birds") on the B-side.[1] To this day it remains unclear how such double signing was at all possible considering the serious legal ramifications for both Smak and the record labels in question. In late May the band went on a Bosnian and Croatian tour with Bijelo Dugme and East German band Phadys. They also did several live appearances with Hungarian band Sirius and Austrian band Gypsy Love. This was soon followed by them headlining the Zagreb BOOM Festival.

Smak's debut self-titled album was released in 1975 and featured five tracks. A-side featured "Perle" ("Pearls"), "Mračni mol" ("Dark Passage"), "Blues u parku" ("Blues in the Park") and "Biska 2". B-side featured twenty minute instrumental "Put od balona" ("Road of Balloons"), originally entitled "Biska 20".[3] Lyrics were written mostly by Mihajlović, but the band soon asked Mirko Glišić from Kragujevac for help. Glišić continued to collaborate with the band on their future releases.[4] Album saw a considerable commercial success and was well received by the critics. It was followed by a successful Yugoslav tour and a three week tour in East Germany. In April 1976 the band released the EP Satelit,[5] featuring the title track hit. The EP was promoted in an unusual manner: the Ljubljana's ZKP RTLJ record label invited about twenty journalists to a DC10 flight from Belgrade to New York where Smak performed live during the flight. The band spent a week in New York, shooting "Satelit" video as well as performing live.

After the band returned from the United States, Mihajlović Točak recorded his first solo album R. M. Točak. In October the band released the single with songs "Ljudi nije fer" ("People, It Ain't Fair") and "El dumo".[6] As a part of the single promotion, the one hour documentary about the band's stay in New York was broadcast. At the time Laza Ristovski left Smak to join Bijelo Dugme, who at the time were Smak's main rivals. The organist Miki Petkovski from the band Breg joined Smak in November 1976. The band spent the spring of 1977 in London recording the album Crna dama (Black Lady). The lyrics were written by Mirko Glišić and the music by Mihajlović, except the music for "Tegoba" ("Struggle"), which was written by Petkovski.[7] The album was produced by Martin Levan and featured luxurious cover designed by Dragan S. Stefanović.[7] The album saw big commercial success, with hard rock-oriented title track, ballad "Stvar ljubavi" ("The Matter of Love"), instrumental track "Domaći zadatak" ("Homework"), meant as a subtle musical dig at their rivals Bijelo Dugme, track "Halo" which featured Arenđelović's scat singing, jazz rock track "Tegoba", and folk-oriented "Daire" and "Plava pesma" ("Blue song"), last two featuring a London string quartet. The album was received well by the critics, although Glišić's lyrics received mostly negative reactions for their overly abstract style. The sold-out Crna dama tour pushed the album sales and it quickly become gold.

The album attracted the attention of the Frankfurt-based record label Bellaphon Records. It quickly released the album in English language, entitled Black Lady, for the Western European market. The album was produced by Martin Levan and featured luxurious cover designed by Dragan S. Stefanović.[7] Melody Maker published the album review which described Smak as "a bad copy of Taste and Deep Purple". However, the album saw a very positive review in Guitar Player. At the end of the year the band was given The Band of the Year accolade by the readers of the Yugoslav magazine Džuboks. In January 1978, at the Midem music industry trade fair in Cannes, the Black Lady rights were bought by Fantasy Records and the Spanish branch of RCA Records. However, the band's popularity in Yugoslavia declined due to a number of bad live performances. The spate of band's bad luck culminated in the half empty Pionir Hall venue in Belgrade in spring of 1978. The band soon recorded EP Nevidljive terazije (Invisible Scales), which featured songs "Nevidljive Terazije" and "Hitopadeza".[8] In 1978 Petkovski left Smak due to his military service. He never returned to the band, however, some of the Smak lineup appeared on his own solo album Ko zna (Who Knows) released a year later.[9] Petkovski was replaced by Tibor Levay, who previously performed with Radio Television Novi Sad Orchestra.

At the time Mihajlović often clashed with the rest of the band who did not seem overly keen on his lyrics writing efforts. Despite frequent arguments, they recorded the progressive rock-oriented album Stranice našeg vremena. The music and most lyrics were written by Nihajlović, with some lyrics written by poet Zoran Petrović from Kargujevac. The album was recoded in a village near Oxford and produced by Barry Hammond.[10] It featured David Moss as the guest musician.[10] Alongside new tracks, Stranice našeg vremena featured rerecorded "Ulazak u harem".[10] The album was released through PGP-RTB, while Bellaphon Records released the English language version entitled Pages of Our Time - Dub in the Middle.[11] After the album was released Levay left the band. Soon after Mihajlović also left. His leaving was caused by the fact that rest of the members were dissatisfied with his lyrics and that they refused to use lyrics written by Moss on the Pages of Our Time - Dub in the Middle, on which Mihajlović insisted.

After Mihajlović left the band, Smak had several performances with almost anonymous guitarist Srđan Miodragović (a former Mirni Ljudi member) and former Time members, Dado Topić and Chris Nicols. However, at the beginning of 1979, Mihajlović returned to the band, and, together with him, Ristovski, who was disappointed with the situation in Bijelo Dugme and little success the album Stižemo (We are Ariving), which he recorded with Ipe Ivandić, the original Bijelo Dugme drummer. With Dado Topić Smak recorded EP Na Balkanu (On the Balkans), which featured songs "Na Balkanu" and "Gore dole" ("Up and Down") with lyrics written by Marina Tucaković.[12] At the time the band ended their cooperation with Bellaphon Records. Bellaphon representatives were unhappy with little success Smak's English language albums sales, and the band was dissatisfied with the way record label promoted the albums. At the time, David Moss sued the Bellaphon Records because they used the title Dub in the Middle for the English language version of Stranice našeg vremena, which was originally his idea. He won, and the Bellaphon Records were ordered to pay him 10,000 United States dollars.

At the beginning of 1980 the band released the album Rok cirkus (Rock Circus). The album was produced by Dado Topić[13] and featured more commercial, hard rock-oriented sound, although songs "Instrumental Baby", "Hirošima" ("Hiroshima") and "Ogledalo" ("Mirror") were somewhat reminiscent of the band's early works. The album was not received well by the critics, mostly because of the Marina Tucaković's and Mirko Glišić's rather flaccid lyrics. The album did not see expected success for two more reasons: it was released at the time of Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito's death, so there was almost no concert promotion of the album, and it was released at the time of huge popularity of New Wave music in Yugoslavia and a general decline of popularity of progressive and hard rock. In 1981 the band released album Zašto ne volim sneg (Why I Don't Like Snow), which was originally recorded as Mihajlović's solo work. PGP-RTB label insisted on album being released as Smak rather than Točak's solo album. It featured Dado Topić and Zoran Živanović "Hoze" on vocals, but not Boris Aranđelović.[14] Apart from the track "Južni voz" ("Southern Train"), a rather dark mood dominated the rest of the album, as Mihajlović dedicated it to his deceased brother. Among other tracks, the album featured an instrumental cover of Macedonian folk song "Zajdi, zajdi". In June 1981, the band decided to end their activity. They held a farewell concert in Kalemegdan's Rockoteka in front of some 6,000 fans. The band officially disbanded in September 1981.

After Smak broke up, Mihajlović dedicated himself to his solo career and also started working as a guitar instructor. Ristovski cooperated with various musicians and recorded several solo releases before moving back to Bijelo Dugme, Aranđelović recorded the solo album Iz profila (Profile View)[15] and moved to London shortly after, and Stojanović formed the hard rock band Cveće (Flowers).

1986 reunion

In October 1986, Smak reunited in the old lineup featuring new keyboardist, Milan Đurđević, a former Nova Zemlja member. The band recorded the comeback album Smak 86.. The album was produced by and all the lyrics were written by Mihajlović, and it featured Nicols, Miša Komnenić and Vlada Nikodijević as guest keyboardists.[16] The album was not well received by the critics, and after a shorter tour Smak disbanded again, although they continued to occasionally perform in Kragujevac.

1992 reunion

In 1992, Smak reunited with Ristovski playing the keyboards. The band held several concerts in Serbia and released a compilation album Retrospektiva (Retrospection),[17] the rerelease of Pages of Our Time,[18] and a live album odLIVEno which featured recordings from their 1992 concerts in Sava Centar. odLIVEno featured, alongside Smak songs, covers of blues songs "Cross Road Blues" and "Tobacco Road", and Serbian traditional song "Ukor".[19]

1994–2002

In 1994, Mihajlović and Stojanović reunited Smak once again. The new lineup featured, alongside Mihajlović and Stojanović, young musicians: Slobodan Stojanović's son Dejan "Kepa Jr." Stojanović (second drum kit), Dejan "Najda" Najdanović (a former Kramer member, vocals), Vlada Samardžić (bass guitar) and Milan Milosavljević (a former Alhambra member, guitar). This lineup of the band recorded the album Bioskop Fox (Fox Cinema), produced by Mihajlović. Mihajlović wrote the music for all fourteen songs and part of the lyrics.[20] After the album release, the band held a number of concerts but without expected success. During the spring of 1997 Smak performed in Slovenia, and in May, in Kragujevac cinema Šumadija, they held a concert without audience. The recording of the concert was released on the album Live Without Audience.[21] After the album release, Sale Marković became the bands new bass guitarist. In 1999 Smak released the album Egregor. Only one album track featured lyrics, while the others featured Najdanović's scat singing. The song "5. maj" was dedicated to Led Zeppelin. The album was produced by Mihajlović and Saša Habić.[22]

In 2001, the compilation album Istorija (History) was released. The album featured songs from all the periods of Smak's career and the song "Blues od vina", which was recorded on the 1974 Veče uz radio birthday concert. In 2002, the recording of the concert Smak held at the Kragujevac cinema La Cinema was released on the live album Live - klub La Cinema.[23] After the release of the album the band disbanded. In 2005, the album Antologija! (Anthology!), which featured Smak old songs rerecorded with Najdanović on vocals, was released. In the autumn of 2006, PGP-RTS released remixed material from Crna dama.[24]

2010–present

In 2010, the lineup Radomir Mihajlović "Točak" (guitar), Dejan Najdanović "Najda" (vocals),Slobodan Stojanović "Kepa" (drums), Milan Milosavljević "Mikica" (guitar), Dejan Stojanović "Kepa Junior" (drums) and Miloš Petrović "Šomi" (bass) reunited and started writing new material.[25] From summer until autumn of the same year, the band had written four new songs one of which, "Delfin" ("The Dolphin") was premiered on the band's official Youtube channel.[26]

Legacy

The song "Daire", featuring a pasasage from "Zajdi, zajdi", was covered in 1994 by the band Neverne Bebe on their album Neverne Bebe I.[27] The band covered the song once again on their 2004 album Neverne Bebe IV - Dvoje - The Best Of .[28] The song "Crna dama" was covered in 2000 by singer Viktorija on her album Nostalgija.[29]

The book YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike (YU 100: The Best albums of Yugoslav pop and rock music) features two Smak albums: Crna dama (ranked #40) and Smak (ranked #63).[30]

In 2006, "Plava pesma" was ranked #61 on the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list.[31] In 2011, "Daire" was polled, by the listeners of Radio 202, one of 60 greatest songs released by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS.[32]

Discography

Main article: Smak discography

References

  1. ^ a b Smak discography at Discogs
  2. ^ "Živim ja" / "Biska 16" at Discogs
  3. ^ Smak at Discogs
  4. ^ Mirko Glišić at Discogs
  5. ^ Satelit at Discogs
  6. ^ "Ljudi, nije fer" / "El dumo" at Discogs
  7. ^ a b c Crna dama at Discogs
  8. ^ Nevidljive terazije at Discogs
  9. ^ Ko zna at Discogs
  10. ^ a b c Stranice našeg vremena at Discogs
  11. ^ Dub in the Middle at Discogs
  12. ^ Na Balkanu at Discogs
  13. ^ Rok cirkus at Discogs
  14. ^ Zašto ne volim sneg at Discogs
  15. ^ Boris Aranđelović at Discogs
  16. ^ Smak 86. at Discogs
  17. ^ Retrospektiva at Discogs
  18. ^ The Pages of Our Time at Discogs
  19. ^ odLIVEno at Discogs
  20. ^ Bioskop Fox at Discogs
  21. ^ Live Without Audience at Discogs
  22. ^ Egregor at Discogs
  23. ^ Live - klub La Cinema at Discogs
  24. ^ Crna dama rerelease at Discogs
  25. ^ Smak ponovo na okupu sa Točkom (VIDEO)
  26. ^ http://www.vesti.rs/Muzika/Jutjub/Smak-ponovo-svira.html "Smak" ponovo svira, blic.rs
  27. ^ Neverne Bebe I at Discogs
  28. ^ Neverne Bebe IV - Dvoje - The Best Of
  29. ^ Nostalgija at Discogs
  30. ^ Antonić, Duško; Štrbac, Danilo (1998). YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike. Belgrade: YU Rock Press.
  31. ^ The B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list at B92 official site
  32. ^ 60 хитова емисије ПГП на 202!, facebook.com
  • EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006, Janjatović Petar; ISBN 978-86-905317-1-4
  • Nevidljive terazije Slobodana Stojanovića Kepe, Jakovljević Mirko; ISBN 86-83525-67-8
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