Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Zoran Predin and Matija Dedic: Tragovi u Sjeti

124

Zoran Predin and Matija Dedic: Tragovi u Sjeti

By

Sign in to view read count
Zoran Predin and Matija Dedic: Tragovi u Sjeti
After spicing his solo career with diverse and strong material following his front-man work with Lačni Franc, Slovenian singer-songwriter Zoran Predin turns his attention to some great tunes from the golden age of Yugoslavian pop music on Tragovi u Sjeti. Joined by one of Croatia's most celebrated jazz talents, pianist Matija Dedić, this is a collaborative effort where musical cultures, styles, eras and personalities are utilized, fused and juxtaposed to marvelous effect.

The record is a generally quiet affair, with a sense of introspective reflection. Zoran Predin is a crooner who knows how to express tenderness without sentimentality, thus giving these songs a chilling beauty. He shows great understanding of the songs he sings without overdoing it, and the songs are better for it. On the other hand, Matija Dedić is a fruitful composer with several albums behind him, his discography including albums featuring jazz covers of some of Croatia's greatest songwriters—Gibonni, on Tempera (Dallas Records, 2002), and Drugi Pogled (Dallas Records, 2005), with songs by the pianist's father, Arsen Dedić, one of the most celebrated Croatian/Yugoslavian songwriters of all time whose work has encompassed different eras, generations and countries. One of the links between Matija Dedić and Zoran Predin is actually the elder Dedić with whom Predin has worked in the past and has recorded Svjedoci Priče (Jugoton, 1989). Naturally, they included a song of his "Tvoje Nježne godine."

The choice of songs includes works by celebrated songwriters and interpreters like Goran Bregović, Đorđe Balašević, Zdravko Čolić, Oliver Dragojević, Parni Valjak and Josipa Lisac—all well known as well—and a song that Predin wrote for Croatian singer Massimo Savić, "Šta bi mi bez nas." The choice of material is not accidental and this stripped-down approach has not wiped out the history that goes with the songs. The common denominator is the emotions and beautiful, simple melodies. Most of the time Dedić acts as an accompanist, with only the occasional piano break hinting at the scope of his talent.

Historically speaking, the music of former Yugoslavia was a world of its own, a deep well with all kinds of genres, bands and artists that had huge followings and enthusiastic audiences across many generations. Generally speaking, that age fostered a fertile artistic and cultural exchange that affected various other fields. Sadly, those achievements were overshadowed by its recent dark history, with its violent breakup at the beginning of the '90s. That era is often looked upon as a golden age, and was (and still is) expressed through its music. Typically, societies are constantly subjected to periods of equilibrium and turbulence which is best expressed through the notion of Golden and Dark ages. Most often, that aspect of nostalgia and lamentation is turned into merchandising, but despite its nostalgic comforts, Tragovi u Sjeti is far from nostalgia marketing; instead, it's an honest and heartfelt musical document, where fine musicianship really does justice to these songs.

Track Listing

Još jedan prođe dan; Jesen u meni; Te noći kad umrem; Magla; Ti si mi u krvi; Tvoje nježne godine; Azra; Šta bi mi bez nas; Što te nema; Galeb i ja; Priča o Vasi Ladačkom; A sad adio.

Personnel

Matija Dedić: piano, keyboards; Zoran Predin: vocal; Marta Kosturska: backing vocal.

Album information

Title: Tragovi u Sjeti | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Aquarius Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.