Na Lepem Prijazni

Na Lepem Prijazni

Company type	Ensemble / Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1978 in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia)
Founder	Vojko Aleksić
Headquarters	Ljubljana , Slovenia
Products	Jazz rock music albums

Na Lepem Prijazni (meaning Suddenly Polite (Ones)) is a Slovenian and Yugoslav ensemble specializing in jazz rock, established in Ljubljana in 1978.

Formed in the aftermath of the Yugoslav punk and new wave waves, Na Lepem Prijazni stood out as one of the final groups within the Yugoslav progressive rock domain to capture significant media and audience interest, recognized for their distinctive avant-garde approach. Their inaugural self-titled record appeared in 1981, followed by a swift dissolution. The band was revived in 2005 by vocalist Andrej Trobentar and guitarist Vojko Aleksić, and since then they have issued four additional studio albums, with Aleksić remaining the sole continuous member.

1978–1981

The band originated in 1978, founded by guitarist Vojko Aleksić, saxophonist Polde Poljanšek, bassist Tomaž Sržen, and drummer Roman Škraba. Initially, their performances consisted of instrumental pieces composed by Aleksić. Soon after, they incorporated vocalist Andrej Trobentar, a singer-songwriter formerly affiliated with Sedem Svetlobnih Let and Šest Kilometara Na Uro—both groups linked to the early development of Begnagrad. With Trobentar joining, the band began integrating his lyrical contributions.

Following Poljanšek's exit, keyboardist Andrija Pušić—brother of musician Antonije Pušić (known as Rambo Amadeus)—became part of the lineup alongside British bassist Al Stone, who brought experience from his time with Yugoslav bands Pepel in Kri and Jutro. This formation garnered wider recognition after performing at the twentieth Youth Festival held in Subotica, sharing the stage with prominent new wave artists such as Šarlo Akrobata, Idoli, and Električni Orgazam. Their song "Masaž" ("Massage") earned them third place at the event.

Their debut album, released in 1981 through Helidon and produced by Braco Dolbekar—who also contributed saxophone and congas—presented a jazz rock foundation enriched with elements of pop and reggae. The record encountered censorship from the SR Slovenia authorities due to the track "Suckitandsee," penned by Stone. Shortly after this release, Aleksić’s compulsory military service caused the group to pause activities.

Post breakup

After disbanding, Pušić joined the punk outfit Otroci Socializma as a guitarist before moving on to play keyboards with the synth-pop band Videosex. He also collaborated with his brother Rambo Amadeus under the alias Digital Mandrak. Stone pursued work as a session musician at Ljubljana’s Akademik studio. Poljanšek went on to establish the pop ensemble Agropop. Following his military service, Aleksić formed Gax Max, producing two albums: Mi jih beremo ko jih pobiramo (1986) and Then Are (1990). Both Aleksić and Trobentar initially studied art and subsequently built successful careers in painting and illustration. Aleksić independently released two solo projects connected to his art exhibitions: Bizart (1998) and Na levo prijazni (2001).

In 1994, Nika Records compiled and released What a Time to Make a Fool of You, which included selections from their debut album, their 1980 7-inch single, along with an alternate take of "Lisica" ("The Fox").

2005–present

In 2005, Trobentar, Aleksić, and Škraba came together once again for a pair of performances, joined by additional musicians Matjaž Ugovšek (guitar) and Australian Kate Hosking (bass). Operating under the name Na Lepem Prijazni Mutant, they issued a comeback record titled Potaplja se raj / Paradise Drowning, which featured founding members alongside Stojan Kralj (bass), Borut Praper (drums), David Jarh (trumpet), Tinkara Kovač (vocals, flute), and Oto Pestner (vocals). This album combined fresh material with reimagined versions of "Lisica" and "Faeton" ("Phaethon").

The band’s 2012 release, Tudi če se vrnemo nazaj ("Even If We Go Back"), included contributions from Trobentar, Aleksić, Jan Jarni (guitar), David Jahr (trumpet), Darko Hočevar (bass), and Luka Kuhar (drums). Vocal duties were shared between Trobentar on two tracks, Kate Hosking, and actor Ludvik Bagari. Following this release, Trobentar left the group and pursued a solo career with his 2014 album Dar ("The Gift").

By 2017, the album Srceder ("Heartbreaker") was issued featuring Aleksić as the only original member remaining. The lineup included Bagari (vocals), Boštjan Franetič (guitar), Hočevar (bass), Kuhar (drums), and Žiga Fabbro (keyboards, saxophone). In 2023, the band presented the album Uživaj ("Enjoy"), which was entirely composed by Aleksić, marking a departure from the collaborative songwriting style evident on Srceder.

Studio albums

• Na Lepem Prijazni (1981)
• Potaplja se raj / Paradise Drowning (2005)
• Tudi če se vrnemo nazaj (2012)
• Srceder (2017)
• Uživaj (2023)

Compilation albums

• What a Time to Make a Fool of You (1994)

Singles

• "Faeton" / "Črna ovca" (1980)

External links

• Na Lepem Prijazni at Discogs
• Na Lepem Prijazni at Prog Archives