"Time" by Time (1972)

Recently screened TV documentary about beginnings of Croatian rock ("Naši dani") reminded me of this early 1970s band that I almost forgot - they were big deal somewhere between clumsy, early steps of rock music in Croatia (1960s, mostly sunny covers) and mid-1970s when groups like "Bijelo dugme" managed to actually reach wide audience and made rock truly popular music of young generation.

"Time" had a very strong weapon in musicians - everybody involved here was young, rebellious and eager to show off which is evident from a head-banging opener "Istina mašina" that rocks like best of anything recorded in than-current international scene. Music vision is apparent in the whole concept, where songs sound more like a extended jams (with very vague lyrics) than chart-topping singles that actually might reach the audience. In fact, the only song that actually sound memorable is wordless, energetic  "Hegedupa upa" which is pity because Dado Topić was excellent singer with presence and charisma that could greatly improve with help of some talented lyrics writer. Without interesting lyrics, without strong songs, the album sounds like unrepentant exercise in virtuosity of players who - as TV documentary clearly shows - were all ballsy, young punks set to conquer, but perhaps some guidance from record company would result in different album. I must note here excellent playing of Vedran Božić (guitar), Branislav Živković (piano) and Tihomir Pop Asanović (Hammond organ) who all got a place to shine in extended solos and guys were truly great musicians who were dead set on giving their best, without a passing glance at what might sell (ironically, decades later producer Vladimir Mihaljek Miha went on to work in completely commercial route). It IS a very strong musician's-music album that still sounds impressive on its own merits (virtuoso playing) but I wish there was a focused single or two that would actually lift it up into another, more approachable level (ironically, it might also be the reason why the album sounds timeless and frozen in time, like some jewel from prog-rock era). Not sure did wide mainstream audience warmed up to this album, because there was nothing to sing along to - later bands like "Bijelo dugme" would successfully merge virtuosity and commercial aspect of music.

Everybody involved here played later on debut album by up-and-coming rock queen Josipa Lisac on her "Dnevnik jedne ljubavi" (1973) that had a strong concept, focus and music frame - this time around vocalist and lyrics were in the first row, with (excellent) musicians providing simply a background, making the album far more approachable in process. Same team can also be found on brilliant solo album "Majko zemljo" by Tihomir Pop Asanović that I actually prefer to this one.