"Šta Mi Radiš" by Zdravko Čolić (1983)

We actually never had such a pop megastar as Zdravko Čolić before and when he exploded in 1970s his appeal became social phenomenon, discussed in newspapers and dissected by journalists and politicians who wondered is this good influence on our youth (the conclusion is, he was clean cut and harmless, as opposite to rock band Bijelo Dugme that had bad reputation for dabbling in drugs) - there were other singers in previous generations who had certain following but Čolić appealed to everybody and when this good natured, charismatic singer embarked on national tour (backed by carefully choreographed dancers) it was an earthquake unprecedented in former Yugoslavia, his posters adorning walls across the borders, from Alps in the north down to Greece in the south. Music, mostly masterminded by his old pal Kornelije Kovač, was deliciously intoxicating, breezy pop but that was just part of the magic, the most important thing was that Čolić as singer was untouchable - even though Kovač previously worked with some of the best voices in the business, this guy loved to sing and when he lustily soared with that golden voice, the whole country listened.

By 1983 it seemed that his career came to a slight lull, not that Čolić or his team lost touch but more likely such forceful momentum was not realistic to keep going continuously, besides there was also (in my opinion) a matter of overexposure and the fact that new names continued to get more attention. Carefully planned as showcase that 30-something is still force in business, this album was recorded in London with local musicians and produced impeccably for the standards of time, utilising several composers and material that quickly brought Čolić back on charts. It is actually much better than what I remember and listening it again, from current perspective I find it disarmingly entertaining and light, although there is - as always, since he depended on composers and producers - always a question of filler, which in this case means that comparing it with mega-successful 1977 album "Ako Priđeš Bliže" that was delight from start to finish, this time listener is aware that not everything is immediately catchy or hit. Not that he didn't bring any - title song and ballad "Stanica Podlugovi"  became huge radio hits and deservedly so, but this is still far from his previous peaks, where everything he recorded became smash. In all honesty, less played songs on this album sound perfectly fine because they are not overplayed and are rewarding listening. Unperturbed, Čolić continued on, though from now on he will enjoy certain status that perhaps didn't depend so much on new releases. Lyrics by wonderful Arsen Dedić are easy to spot as they are always high above any competition.