In 2006, at the height of his success as a pop singer across the Balkans, Toše released an album that had nothing to do with the charts. Božilak — "Rainbow" — collects fourteen traditional Macedonian songs, sung with arrangements for a symphonic orchestra.
What is on it
The album draws on songs that most people in North Macedonia learn as children. Among them are "Zajdi, zajdi, jasno sonce", "More sokol pie" and "Jovano, Jovanke". The arrangements were written by Ilija Pejovski, Saša Nikolovski and Soni Petrovski, who gave the old melodies a concert-hall setting without smoothing away their character.
Because these songs are traditional, they belong to everyone — but the specific arrangements and recordings do not. As with all music on this board, we describe the album and never copy lyrics or audio.
Where it was released
Božilak came out in Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia. That is worth noticing: an album of Macedonian folk songs was marketed across the region on the strength of the singer's name, and audiences who did not speak Macedonian bought it anyway.
Why fans love it
- It shows the classical training that his teachers in Bitola and Skopje had given him. He was still studying classical singing during these years.
- It connects him to Kruševo, a town that takes its history and its songs seriously.
- Many listeners say it is the album they play on 16 October.
Listening suggestions
Fans on our board recommend hearing Božilak straight through, in order, rather than as single tracks. If you already know the songs from other singers, compare the arrangements: the orchestration often holds back in the verses and opens up only when the voice needs it.
For his singing in other languages and styles, see languages and duets. For the full album list, return to the discography.