Leb i sol

Leb i sol (Macedonian Леб и сол) is a Macedonian jazz fusion group founded in the 1970's by Vlatko Stefanovski (guitar), Bodan Arsovski (bass), Nikola Dimuševski (keys) and Garo Tavitijan (drums). Tavitijan ceded the drumwork to Dragoljub Djuricic for the Sledovanje recording sessions and onwards. Leb i Sol recorded their last CD "Live in New York" in 1991. "Leb i sol" is a traditional greeting meaning "bread and salt" and is often used as an expression of spite or determination; e.g. "I will eat bread and salt if I have to, but I will not give in!". Their music combined elements of rock, jazz fusion and local ethnic music. As the band matured, the jazz influences became less obvious. However, in concert, Leb i sol performances of jazzed-up and lengthy versions of traditional ethno-folk classics such as Jovano Jovanke or Aber Dojde Donke, were often received with great enthusiasm and cheer.

Leb i sol were very popular in the '70s and '80s and, while not selling as many records as some pop and folk acts, where very well known and respected and often sold-out venues in most of the larger towns in the former Yugoslavia. The first two albums are often considered foundational, while most are diverse enough to be, at least in part, accessible to a fairly wide audience. The influence of ethnic and folk music of Southeastern Europe and more specifically of the music of the Republic of Macedonia are recognizable in the use of odd meters (5/4, 7/8) and non-traditional scales (e.g. the Phrygian dominant scale). While all the musicians were fairly accomplished, Vlatko Stefanovski is frequently regarded as an exceptional guitar virtuoso.

Dicography

Leb i Sol (1978)
2 (1978)
Ručni Rad (1979)
Beskonačno (Infinity symbol) (1981)
Sledovanje (1981)
Akustična Trauma (1982, Live)
Kalabalak (1983)
Tangenta (1984)
Zvučni Zid (1986)
Kao Kakao (1987)
Putujemo (1989)
Leb i Sol – Live in New York (1991, Live)
The Leb i Sol Anthology (1996, Compilation)

External links

Discography with some audio streams: http://audio.macedonia.org/ra/lebisol/

Vlatko Stefanovski home page: http://www.vlatkostefanovski.com.mk/

Bodan Arsovski home page http://www.bodan-arsovski.com.mk/

Reference

Categories: Macedonian music