Azra - Azra

Azra was a Croatian and Yugoslav rock band formed in 1977 by its frontman Branimir Johnny Štulić. The other two members of the original lineup were Mišo Hrnjak (bass) and Boris Leiner (drums).
The band is named after a verse from “Der Asra” by Heinrich Heine. They are considered one of the most influential bands from the Yugoslav new wave rock era and the Yugoslav rock scene in general.

Their debut album, also titled “Azra” was published in 1980 under the Jugoton and achieved commercial success. The band’s energetic sound, infused with new wave and rock elements, resonated with audiences across the region.

Azra's second releaase "Ravno do dna" (1982), solidified band’s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential bands in ex Yugoslavia.
The title, "Ravno do dna," translates to "Straight to the Bottom" in English, reflecting the album's exploration of deeper, darker themes.

"Sunčana strana ulice" was a double album, a rarity in those days, especially for a band from the region. It was a risk, but Azra was not a band to shy away from challenges. The album was recorded between February and March 1981. It was a mix of pop rock and new wave, with elements of punk and reggae.

Building upon their previous works, "Filigranski pločnici" (1982) has attained legendary status within the Yugoslav rock scene, inspiring subsequent generations of musicians and earning a place among the greatest albums in the region's music history.

“Singlovi (1979-1982)" serves as a testament to Azra's influence on the Yugoslav rock scene. The compilation not only captures the band's musical diversity but also their role as cultural commentators during a period of significant social change in Yugoslavia.

Building upon their trademark sound, "Kad fazani lete" (1983) features a experiment with diverse musical influences, incorporating elements of reggae, ska, and Balkan folk music into their repertoire.

Over the years, "Krivo srastanje" (1983) has gained recognition as a bold and adventurous album within Azra's discography. While not as commercially successful as some of their earlier releases, it remains a fascinating chapter in the band's evolution and continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.

In 1986, Štulić goes to the Netherlands for the first time, where he records his translated songs in English, and releases them here on a triple album titled "It ain't like in the movies at all".

Their album "Kao i jučer (Single ploče 1983-86)" is a compilation of their hit singles from the mid-80s, showcasing their raw energy and rebellious attitude.

The recording of songs for their sixth studio album and seventh overall release, the group Azra finished on July 26, 1987, at the Jadran film studio in Zagreb.
The LP titled "Između krajnosti" was released by Jugoton in early autumn.

In 1988 the band recorded 4LP live album under the name “Zadovoljština” (Satisfaction), after which Štulić disbanded the band.

Branimir Štulić recorded three more solo albums since moving to Netherlands, where he currently lives in seclusion.

00:00 1. Jablan
02:34 2. Uradi nešto
05:51 3. Teško vrijeme
09:41 4. Tople usne žene
13:42 5. Vrijeme odluke
16:13 6. Gracija
18:58 7. Krvava Meri
22:02 8. Marina
25:05 9. Ne mogu pomoći nikome od nas
28:55 10. Iggy Pop
32:43 11. Žena drugog sistema
35:33 12. Obrati pažnju na posljednju stvar

Band discogaphy:

Azra https://rumble.com/v4r1zni-azra-azra.html
Ravno do dna (Live) https://rumble.com/v4r21zn-azra-ravno-do-dna-live.html
Sunčana strana ulice https://rumble.com/v4rgil5-azra-sunana-strana-ulice.html
Filigranski pločnici https://rumble.com/v4rgcfo-azra-filigranski-plonici.html
Singlovi (1979-1982) https://rumble.com/v4rghcq-azra-singlovi-1979-1982.html
Kad fazani lete https://rumble.com/v4rgf20-azra-kad-fazani-lete.html
Krivo srastanje https://rumble.com/v4rggt6-azra-krivo-srastanje.html
It Ain't Like in the Movies At All https://rumble.com/v4rgdu9-azra-it-aint-like-in-the-movies-at-all.html
Kao i jučer (Singlovi 1983-1986) https://rumble.com/v4rgfj5-azra-kao-i-juer-singlovi-1983-1986.html
Između krajnosti https://rumble.com/v4rgeo2-azra-izmeu-krajnosti.html
Zadovoljština https://rumble.com/v4rgkv0-azra-zadovoljtina.html

Links:

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azra
Biography http://www.svastara.com/muzika/?biografija=10
Discogs https://www.discogs.com/artist/604459-Azra-3
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/PETROVICPETAR