Dah (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Zlatko Manojlović, Branko Marušić "Čutura" |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
Area served | Yugoslavia, Belgium, Europe |
| Products | Progressive rock music |
Dah (, meaning Breath) was a progressive rock group originating from Yugoslavia and later based in Belgium, established in Belgrade in 1972.
The band was created by guitarists Zlatko Manojlović and Branko Marušić "Čutura", who had previously collaborated in the band Džentlmeni. Dah issued their first single in 1973, shortly before Marušić departed, leading Manojlović to assume lead vocal duties. After releasing their initial album, Veliki cirkus (1974), the band relocated to Belgium and adopted the name Land. They gained international recognition with their hit "Shoshana" before returning to Yugoslavia to produce their follow-up album, Povratak (1976). In 1976, Zlatko Manojlović commenced his compulsory military service, during which his brother Goran took over leadership until the band's dissolution in 1977. Zlatko proceeded with his musical career by fronting the band Gordi and later pursuing solo projects.
History
Prior to forming Dah, Zlatko Manojlović was a member of Džentlmeni and Fleš, releasing a single with the latter in 1972. That same year, he established Dah alongside Branko Marušić "Čutura" (guitar and vocals), Branko Gluščević (bass), and Radomir Dubičanin (drums). Their performance at the 1973 BOOM Festival included the track "Ako poželiš", which appeared on the live compilation album BOOM Pop Fest '73. Soon after, they launched their debut single featuring "Ako poželiš" and "Noćna buka", promoting it through a novel live show staged inside a record store window.
After Marušić left to embark on a solo path, Manojlović took over as lead singer, and Dah continued as a power trio. With Dubičanin's departure, Velibor "Boka" Bogdanović stepped in on drums. The group collaborated with organist Miodrag Okrugić for the single "Gitareska".
Their first album, Veliki cirkus, was released by Jugoton in 1974 and included lyrics penned by disc jockey Zoran Modli that drew inspiration from classical literature. Notable tracks included "Prohujalo sa vihorom" and "Majka Jugovića".
In 1975, Dah relocated to Belgium under the name Land, expanding the lineup by adding Zlatko’s brother Goran Manojlović on keyboards along with Belgian musicians Tommy Splitwood (bass) and Willy Pultz (guitar). Their single "Shoshana", adapted from Yosef Hadar’s composition "Erev Shel Shoshanim", was distributed by Polydor across various European countries and reached number one on Moroccan national radio charts. The band supported Focus during tours throughout Benelux, France, and West Germany. Subsequently, Splitwood and Pultz joined Luxembourg’s Cool Breeze.
Reassembling in Yugoslavia in 1976 with members Goran Manojlović, Zdenko Pomper (bass), Stevan Miutinović (drums), and Dragan Mihajlović (violin), Dah recorded their second album Povratak, which featured a Serbo-Croatian rendition of "Shoshana" titled "Šošana". When Zlatko began his military duty, Goran assumed leadership of the final lineup that included guitarist Vidoja Božinović and drummer Dušan Đukić "Đuka". This ensemble performed for approximately one year before disbanding.
Post breakup
While on military leave, Zlatko Manojlović recorded the well-received single "Jednoj ženi" ("To a Woman"). After completing his service in 1977, he formed Gordi with former Dah members Goran Manojlović and Stevan Milutinović. Following Gordi’s split in 1984, Zlatko concentrated on his solo endeavors.
In 1978, Zdenko Pomper briefly joined Gordi as bassist before his premature death occurred during a street altercation in the early 1980s.
In 2021, Croatia Records issued a Zlatko Manojlović box set entitled Od Daha do Gordih (From Dah to Gordi), which included a re-release of the album Veliki cirkus.
Legacy
In 1991, the Serbian alternative rock group Disciplina Kičme incorporated a sample from Dah's "Noćna buka" into their song "Buka u modi." Later, in 1994, the Serbian pop rock ensemble Ruž recorded a rendition of "Šošana" for their album N˚4, which was produced by Manojlović.
Studio albums
- Veliki cirkus (1974)
- Povratak (1976)
Singles
- "Ako poželiš" / "Noćna buka" (1973)
- "Samo jedna noć" / "Cvrčak" (1973)
- "Gitareska" / "Ti si ta" (1974)
- "Mali princ" / "Ime" (1974)
- "Šošana" / "Please, Don't Say Nothing" (1975)
- "Žeđ" / "Misli" (1976)
- "Tomorrow" / "Under The Sky" (1977)
Other appearances
- "Ako poželiš" featured on BOOM Pop Fest '73 (1973)