LEB I SOL — Kao kakao (review)

LEB I SOL — Kao kakao album cover Album · 1987 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
seyo
This album was a major commercial success of LEB i SOL.

In 1986 the original drummer Tavitijan returned to the group while the line-up was augmented by a full-time sax player Goce Micanov and a keyboardist Kiril Dzajkovski, with female back vocals Bebi Dol and Ana Kostovska. They (meaning: Stefanovski) decided, however, to change the style completely, abandoning the jazz/fusion elements in favour of mainstream pop/rock with slick production (Stefanovski, Arsovski and B. Zafirovski) and sophisticated laid-back crossover sound, much like what Sting was doing then.

There are none instrumentals on "Kao kakao" (Eng. Like Cocoa), all 9 tracks are vocal, which is surely to disappoint old fans of their fusion virtuosity, knowing that the "singing" tracks had often been of lesser quality on the previous albums. This album can easily be listened by average wider public without much problems, but for jazz fans...? It depends. You might be well bored to hell trying to listen to it, but equally you may enjoy its good production, non-pretentious pop songs and decent playing.

There are several plain dull songs, a fruitless attempt at basic rock'n'roll with some terrible arena/metal guitar riffs and choruses (a la Bon Jovi) supported by those annoying synths, which I simply love to hate. Good moments are two smooth ballads "Femme Fatale" and "Cuvam noc od budnih", a catchy Macedonian lyrics/party hit "Skopje" and the closing Celtic/ambient "Cekam kisu" with bagpipes (guest Ronnie Wathen) having a sensation of Peter Gabriel's solo albums.

Overall this would be around 3 stars! Not recommended for exclusive jazz orthodoxy.
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