Sabina Smailagić, also known as DJ Sabs, will first win you over with her kindness and then blow you away with her DJ set. What she did at the Balkan:Most festival in Veszprem is still being talked about, and while I wait for the opportunity to dance at her next performance, I asked her to choose ten albums for Izvorišta that have influenced her the most. The selection is, of course, outstanding:
In our family house, we always listened to the radio, including Radio Banja Luka, Youth Radio Sarajevo, and Big Radio. Music has been a part of my life since childhood. My father was a guitar player, and he used to buy records for us kids.
I also had my uncle, Little Sule, who was my music guide. He taught me how to listen to music, discover different sounds, smell the records; and understand them. He was a great storyteller.
It's challenging to choose just 10 albums that have influenced me, but here are some that I love listening to, and I never get bored. I remember that these albums made me happy, and I still feel the joy of listening to them:
Woodstock - Music from the Original Soundtrack and More (Cotillion Records 1970.)
This was the first lesson from Little Sule, my uncle, who was a rock enthusiast. At that time, the lesson was about the masters of that era and the epic event from 1969, which was powerful to listen to. This collection became a kind of history class for me, and its impact was heightened by the lineup.
My uncle truly served as a musical guide for me, and his discussions about records, especially Woodstock, profoundly influenced my love for music. I can vividly recall the enchanting atmosphere when he played those records for me—the sound, the scent, and his enthusiasm. Woodstock records, featuring names like Richie Havens, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Band, Janis Joplin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Joan Baez, hold a special place in my musical heart. It's as if each record carries a fragment of the legendary energy from that time. I inherited six Woodstock 6-LP sets, and it's still so cool.
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (Harvest/Columbia 1975.)
And this was a serious lesson from Little Sule with a full focus on the story of Syd Barrett. I was quite young, and their style fascinated me—where complex musical structures, rock, progressive rock, cultural influences, and deep lyrics merged. Also, their experimental approach to sound and technology back then impressed me.
Ramones - Brain Drain (Sire/Chrysalis 1989.)
What a change, huh? 😊 Pet Sematary video got me into rewinding Ramones cassettes with short, melodic songs—lasting no more than 2 minutes. Back in elementary school, I went after tapes and Ramones copies . I liked their quick, simple guitars, rhythm, and, of course, the melody. The Ramones really meant a lot to my music taste as a teenager."
The Clash - London Calling (CBS 1979.)
This is the first cassette I borrowed to record, and I borrowed Ramones. We went hand in hand, and I figured out which direction I was heading. There's plenty of pure punk energy, but there's also ska, rockabilly, reggae, funk, and even a bit of cool jazz along the way.
KBO! - Pozovi 93 (Start Today Records 1990.)
I often spent time in my sister's room (when she wasn't home) and listened to tapes. KBO! was a good title, and I played 'Pozovi 93' that my sister borrowed from her friend. Again, I liked the fast rhythm and good lyrics. Plus, they were from Yugoslavia. The song 'Samoća' really stuck to my heart — in fact, the whole album has stuck with me. Even when I listen to them today, the same feeling persists.
Nick Cave & Bad Seeds - Let Love In (mute 1994.)
And now, Mr. Nick Cave is up. Through this album, I got to know him and the Bad Seeds and their musical world. Let Love In' even got me quite excited. It might not be the best album, but here is where I started with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — a good and easy album to begin exploring their world.
Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York (Geffen 1994.)
War forced us out of our home. This album was my link to a bit of normalcy in the TV room at the refugee center in early 1995. What else can I say?
Antenat - Subing (Kingston 2005.)
This was love at first sight. I was in Banja Luka for fieldwork at UNS Ghetto, and that's where I first heard about Antenat because they had a gig in BL. I instantly fell in love with that album; their vibe is warm, alternative, and every song is great. Thanks to UNS Geto for this.
Amadou & Mariam - Dimanche à Bamako (Because Music 2004.)
This was my first-time experiencing Mali. They played at IN- Music Festival in Zagreb in 2008, and it was a fantastic show. That's when I started getting into world music.
Tamikrest – Chatma (Glitterbeat 2013.)
Dear friends, they blew me away with this album in 2013, and the concert in Aarhus was amazing. For the first time, I was supporting such a great band as a DJ. I already knew them, but this album had a special impact on me.
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