Grupa More debut LP (1974)

Truly classic 1970s pop album that definitely reserved its recent re-release on CD.

"More" (The Sea) was excellent group from Split, where many later-famous musicians got their start. On this particular album vocal duties were given to young Meri Cetinić (who was great) but she was certainly not the only one who shone as a member - if you check out their discography, you might find Oliver Dragojević, Doris Dragović and even Jasmin Stavros in a gang. 

Its a gentle,acoustic pop and dreamy, contemplative single was a monster hit - perhaps annoying a bit as refrain was mercilessly repeated just in case listener forgets what is the title of the song - music is what one would expect from a bunch of young,romantic people, soft, lovelorn and romantic.  Young Meri Cetinić in her pre-schlager fame was truly a soulful singer and she pours her heart out in some gentle ballads while the guys play really good behind her. Two very good Santana-like instrumentals are surprisingly nice touch and point at high level of musicianship - nothing to be ashamed of here, these are not just some commercial jingle hacks but really strong players who love music. Considering where Croatian music moved during the next few decades it makes one think what happened to real music like this? Very last song is "Horizont" and is perhaps the best thing on the album - combination of instrumental and wordless chorus that hums the melody after haunting flute intro is truly anthemic and unforgettable - than, splash of the waves (just like the very first sounds we heard on the album) and this beautiful little album is finished. What a jewel. 

It's an album that could only have been done by young people still passionate about the music they love - later, as they all turned into "professionals", all of these artists got into some compromises and results were predictably lukewarm. That is why this debut LP is so important, to save the memory of the beginning when inspiration was high and real music still in their veins. Even now, decades later, for many of the artists involved this is the best thing they ever did.