"What would you do if a never before released jazz funk album from 70s Yugoslavia had dropped suddenly into your arms? An album which sounds like a crate diggers holy grail!? Album full of heavy drum breaks, repetitive bass grooves, superb sax solos and world class jazz arrangements finely intertwined with Yugoslavian folk music elements?! – “PRESS IT!” ~ That’s what we said always striving to present the future of unheard sound of Yugoslavia! With the help from Mr. Cosmic himself (Željko Kerleta), Jovan Maljoković and his wife Nevenka and, of course, Radio Belgrade who provided the recordings buried deep in their library, here we present Jovan’s first vinyl release since 1989 and his album nr. zero. If this LP was released in 1976, sounding this clear and impressive as it sounds today, it would be up on the pedestal with cult Yugo jazz-funk releases such as Sećanja by Miša Blam (also released on Everland) – and believe me – it would burn a whole through your wallet....."
"Jovan Maljoković Ensemble's latest album, "The Uplifting Abyss = Ponor Naviše," is a captivating musical journey that blends traditional Balkan melodies with modern jazz elements. Led by renowned Serbian saxophonist and composer Jovan Maljoković, the ensemble's impeccable musicianship shines through in each track. The album's title, which translates to "The Uplifting Abyss," perfectly captures the duality and depth of the music, as it simultaneously transports listeners to new heights while also exploring the depths of human emotion. With its evocative compositions and dynamic performances, "The Uplifting Abyss = Ponor Naviše" is a must-listen for any fan of world music or jazz."
Bio sam danas u Zagrebu, pa sam otišao i do Croatia recordsa, bivšeg Jugotona, jer sam napikirao nekoliko naslova i dok sam ih tražio listajući albume, umjesto da jednostavno kažem teti što tamo radi po što sam došao, sam nabasao i na, za mene priprostog paorčića, nepoznato nešto.
Nisam se ni potrudio izguglati nego sam i tu ploču stavio na hrpicu s drugima.
Na koncu je ispalo da sam kupio album sa sjajnom background pričom jer je ovo album koji je izdan skoro pet desetljeća nakon što je snimljen, tj. ako se ne varam, 2022.
Jovan Maljoković, saksofon, je sa svojim "ansamblom" snimio 1975./'76. upravo odličan funk/jazz album i nazvao ga "The Uplifting Abyss".
Bih li volio još malo više hrabrosti u solo dijelovima i malo više igre u "razgovorima"?
Pa bih, ali bi onda izašao iz žanra.
Ali, to sam samo ja, a što ja znam o funku!
Hoću reći, ovo jest vrijedno slušanja i drago mi je da sam nabasao na njega.
Može i kao dobra kulisa u finoj gostionici, a može se i aktivno zadubiti u album. Produkcija je jako dobra, ako je nekome važno.