Slađana Milošević Singles

Infectious, funky number with a killer hook in refrain and a great fun, this single was self-financed first step in Belgrade's rockbird discography.

To be honest, I must admit here that previously I always somehow underrated Slađana Milošević because of prejudice towards her voice - to put it simply, lady was not born with overpowering instrument and her small, thin and basically limited sound always sounded a bit whiny to my ears. However, recent re-visit to her debut LP from 1979. was really great guilty pleasure because music was so darn good that I just learned to accept that perhaps I was unfair towards her. So on with re-discovery of Milošević back catalogue and would you know, her first single is a blast. It shows a complete control of commercial aspects - instantly memorable refrain - great, dark and sinuous rhythm, lyrics are fun and the whole darn things is a pure joy. Can't believe that it took me so long to rediscover something so irresistible.

B side is only slightly lesser disco track, not because of the song itself which is great but because side A was such mind-blowing cute hit that anything else pales in comparison.

"Simpatija" is a cutest little forgotten disco number that probably makes Milošević cringe today and rightly so, because it is so cutesy - but since author of this review is unrepentant lover of camp, it has a huge appeal to me. It was performed on pop festival (Beogradsko proleće '78) and it does sound like disco recorded in local basement, which probably it was. Marina Tucaković wrote lyrics again and it could be safely said that she didn't lose sleep over it - however, even with everything that should work against this single (thin voice, limited budget of production, banal lyrics) the results are great fun and sunny as they could be.

Side B is pure Giorgio Moroder circa 1977. (you know, those synthesizer whirls on Donna Summer albums) and as such only shows what pop trends shone into the world of singer back than.

"Sexy dama" was one of Slađana Milošević's biggest early hits from her singles days - also it points all the traps and limitations of the business that thrives on shock value: to top her previous releases and assert herself in macho rock world, Milošević goes all snarling vamp and boldly claims herself to be self-condfident fame fatale who transformed herself into everybody's envy. Kudos for her feministic empowerment but it all sounds a bit naive, simplistic and somewhat mindless - probably because neither singer nor composer (otherwise sweet Dejan Petković) were not really truly living at the edge and final results were kind of your relatives trying too hard.

Side B is hippity-hoppity jingle (again Dejan Petković), variation on "When I'm 64" in both lyrics and sound.

"Recept za ljubav" iz sweet rip off from Blondie sound - nothing original here but finally I hear Milošević doing decent Debbie Harry imitation and she is quite good at it, pulling enough sex appeal and sensuousness to cover that serious lack of voice. It is actually not embarrassing at all. Side B is collaboration with Vlada Divjan (Idoli) where guys take lead and Milošević only has a cameo but it is a unpredictable turn and fun. I am only slightly surprised that such a thin-voiced singer mustered enough confidence and determination to built impressive career despite lacking the concrete music identity - her music is all over the map and as an artist Milošević is impossible to define or pinpoint.