In the first flurry of its post-WW2 activity, the biggest national recording company "Jugoton" was recording music for all sorts of audiences - from traditional folk singers, to waltzes, opera, army choirs and children's storybooks. Government officials still frowned upon anything coming from the west but in far-northern corner of Slovenia they loved their swing, in fact most of continental Europe saw Rock as a passing trend and still danced to traditional New Orleans sounds. Denmark and The Netherlands particularly cherished this kind of music and even created their own variety of it.
In series of music catering specifically to audience in Slovenia (with its own language that instantly limited records appeal on wide, national scene) "Jugoton" decided to spotlight young, urban and definitely swinging chick Marjana Deržaj who unforgettably ushered good-time pop music in her homeland. She might raise an eyebrow or two, but the gal was fresh-faced and wholesome so I can't imagine anybody finding her threatening or subversive, although you never know, Swedish Alice Babs was exactly the same kind of sunny pop singer and had her share of criticism and troubles.
It seems that certain audience always finds youthful exuberance annoying.
On this little, EP recording (released in the series "Naši Popularni Pjevači") Deržaj croons and chirps trough four dance numbers that all have strong Dixieland feel to them. "Only You" by The Platters is also here, but focus is on Ljubljanski Jazz Ansambel who to my ears sounds exactly like Firehouse Five, so its consciously old time New Orleans Jazz and very uplifting. As a vocalist, Deržaj projected innocent cheerfulness and a strong desire to entertain the audience, most of her recordings were genuinely happy affairs and for a while she defined popular music in Slovenia.
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