V/A – JUGOTON FUNK vol.1 - A decade of non-aligned beats, soul, disco and jazz 1969-1979

Description

Yugoslavia – six republics, four decades, one dictator and a single record label that ruled them all: Jugoton (Zagreb, Croatia). Jugoton
was by far the country’s largest label with the strongest and most diverse output that stretched from Balkan roots to contemporary
trends and the sound of tomorrow . The early days of Yugoslavia featured strong censorship but by the end of the 60’s the Communist
party views softened up by a large degree. Westernized music already had a solid presence and first James Brown influenced
compositions were released. Yugo funk, a term coined by DJ’s and crate diggers from the Balkans, encompasses a wide variety of
performers and genres: from the 60’s merseybeat rock bands, prog rock groovers and big band jazz orchestras to the late 70’s
sophisticated 4×4 funk and essentially everything in between. Jugoton Funk Vol.1, a first of its kind, celebrates the pioneer years of
funk infused music released by Jugoton. While in pursuit of these treasures all over the Balkan region and beyond, the compilation’s
selectors, Dr. Sme?i Še?er & Višeslav Laboš, both active as DJ’s and crate diggers from the sole beginnings of the ex-Yu craze, wanted
to capture the authentic and idiosyncratic funk sound of Jugoton and Yugoslavia. So here it is, comb your moustache, light up a fat
one, turn up the amplifier and headbang away to these amazing tunes remastered from original master tapes dug out of the Jugoton
vaults (now Croatia Records).