This is such a welcome change of pace that it feels really seismic - Doris Dragović had previously made name as a singer of weepy, ethno-based ballads tailored for her by mega successful composer Zrinko Tutić and although their decade long collaboration was very fruitful, at certain point music started to show the signs of stagnation and singer had to face avalanche of new stars who brought fresh sounds, production and trends. Compared with hits by Dino Dvornik, Electro Team or Tony Cetinski that were played in clubs and bars everywhere, Dragović suddenly appeared old fashioned and needed a quick makeover.
The changes started already on previous album where Dragović dispersed with old collaborators and briefly experimented with Zdenko Runjić and Đorđe Novković but the most important was involvement of composer Tonči Huljić who completely takes reins here - I must admit that initially I was very suspicious towards him, as Huljić was known from his work with pop band "Magazin" that had absolute no appeal to me but no matter my personal biases, the 1995. album came as thrilling surprise. For one thing, Huljić understands his singers, their strengths and weaknesses, so perhaps part of his success is in creating something for their specific qualities. He basically preserves Dragović appeal as passionate, temperamental, Mediterranean songbird (with enough Spanish guitars to make point) but gives her modern production and for the first time, somewhat introspective songs that show off 34 years old singer in surprisingly strong light - compared to everything that came before, this is such a breath of fresh air that it really feels like a new start. Not that Tutić was bad, but this was necessary change and new chapter. Almost without exception, the whole album is unusually strong and the best loved of all was hit duet "Baklje Ivanjske" featuring unexpected visit from a rock singer Mladen Bodalec (from band "Prljavo Kazalište"), completely off-the-wall collaboration that proves that, when inspired, music knows no barriers or limits. Almost all songs were written by husband & wife duo Tonči and Vjekoslava Huljić who one this occasion are actually very, very good (contrary to my initial reservations) and young singer-songwriter Petar Grašo have one song (beautiful, soulful "Da si tu" that might be one of his best) - the album is not just a fresh makeover for Dragović but it gave her simultaneously different perspective, where now her voice feels more intimate and reflective. She have never sounded better.
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