Radojka Šverko "Zlatna kolekcija"

"Zlatna kolekcija" ("Gold collection") is Croatia records gimmick to use its old archives under new name - often combing artist's whole discography to get a kind of "the best of" CD.

Thunderous voiced Radojka Šverko definitely deserves one, though its questionable why recording company would rather collect her classic old work instead of giving her a chance to release something new - she is still in full powers after all - in any case,this is the best currently available retrospective of her career since early 1970s up to 2005.  Šverko's curse was that she was not commercial - everyone accepted she was excellent singer with a stylish presence and good acting chops (she had success in musical theatre) but her choice of repertoire was often focused on slow,melancholic ballads with poetic lyrics and perhaps she was stuck too long on old-fashioned pop festivals while music moved on.  Curiously enough, though it wasn't really big deal back than (and other artists enjoyed far bigger media exposure) Šverko's "Gold collection" actually sounds very good now - just listen 1977. recording of song called "Balada" and marvel at slow-burning seductive dream of a song sung with that inimitable deep voice or "Negdje u magli" where she can be equally soft and strong - really one of the best voices in croatian pop music. Also worth mentioning are her turn in rock opera "Grička vjestica" (Nerina pjesma) or legendary duet with Gabi Novak ("Za mene je sreća" - old Ornella Vanoni cover of brazilian song). As decades progressed Šverko's voice deepened even more becoming truly massive instrument worth much more than mainstream material she was given - this is not just a question of composers but also a lady's own preference for a certain safe pop sound (it always bugged me that Šverko was not more experimental and had stuck to bland pop instead of doing something unexpected) which perhaps explains why she never got further than being respected but ultimately cult singer with limited audience. This 20-song career retrospective shows she had stuck to her own guns, selected material that suited her well and that's all fine - its just that with that magnificent voice you would expect much more.