SunnySun – Opatija Beats (Album Stream)

Krekpek Records makes a comeback to the Balkan region for a taste of domestic beat-making, this time with SunnySun under the spotlight. Connecting with the productive Ljubljana-based producer for a 14-track-long instrumental album was a thumb-up move as we’ve received a fantastic project for all the head nodders.

The album Opatija Beats, named after the famous touristic pearl located on the North-western part of the Croatian seaside, is entirely based on samples extracted from Yugoslavian records of the 20th century, probably ranging from the 50s to the 70s with soul, funk, and jazz pieces. Evidently, the true essence of hip-hop through the genres mentioned above is here, and this veteran had quite a perspective on how to proceed with this. Having your project released through Krekpek speaks for itself, a milestone of some sort, so this instrumental album is not to be taken lightly.
The beats are a complex, but well-arranged mixture of loops, one-shot samples, and effects of all types. The sound is filled fully and pretty much distinctive, and even though many Balkan-based producers pull inspiration from musical gems from the ex-Yu area, there’s something more to this one. A personal touch and vision are one hell of a thing in the beat-making world, and Opatija Beats as an album is not just another cool beat tape you’d bump into on Soundcloud. SunnySun as a producer has many years of experience on the trigger finger, which can be heard on every track here, all made the old school way – 100% hardware. In addition to that, the mastering process was done by Krepek’s own, Figub Brazlevič, nicely leveling the frequency range between mids and sides, giving that round punch to kicks and warmness to them deep basslines.

Long story short, I’m giving this project both thumbs up. The overall seaside mood on this project is just dreamy, and a journey of its own. Interestingly enough, most of the album has that reminiscing effect, like you’re remembering a summer love adventure in Opatija you had 30 years or so ago. Simply marvelous.

TRACKLIST:
01 • Yugoslavija
02 • Dole u Primorje
03 • Dobar Dan
04 • Kruno Rip
05 • Lepo Kao Sad
06 • Ti Si Moj Pravi Čovek
07 • Dugo Več
08 • Preloži Na Jutri Skit
09 • Lažne Rječi
10 • Želim Ti Reč
11 • Svjet Je Loš
12 • Bilo Kad
13 • Oči Tvoje
14 • Zvezde Padajo