Jazz pianist Vladimir Maricic recently promoted his ethno-jazz album called "Ritual" released by "Metropolis records". This music project gathered excellent musicians, vocalist Sanja Rankovic, drummer Dragoljub Djuricic, percussionist Papa Nick, guitarist Branko Macic…
CD contents nine songs: "Sesto pesto", a wedding song from village of Rajkinac, near town of Jagodina, "Crno grojze", a song from Kosovo, "ethnic evergreen" – "Ajde Jano", "Zapali se Ivica planina", song from the area of town of Negotin, and "Tupan mi tupa", a Christmas song (in ancient time performed with ritual dance). The last song is covered with TV spot. The "Ritual band" helped the author in his interesting attempt of mixing traditional and jazz music.

Blic (Blitz), 16.II 1999.

"Ajde Jano" in jazz manner

"Metropolis records" had promotion of it’s new release "Ritual", in "Atelje 212" theater (by Vladimir Maricic and his "ritual band").
There are nine, serbian traditional songs, arranged in modern way, on this CD. You can hear "Ajde Jano" in jazz manner. Except the leader, the "Ritual band" is: bassist Pedja Milanovic, the drummer Dragoljub Djuricic, Bokan Stankovic on flutes and bagpipes and percussionist Papa Nick. Vlada and "Ritual band" are planning to make a few video spots, and then to start a promotional tour.

Vecernje Novosti (The Evening News), 20.II 1999.

"Dodole" travels the world

"Metropolis records" recently promoted its new release "Ritual", musical project made by Vladimir Maricic and "Ritual band".
The promotion includes releasing of CD and MC, media and concert promotion of material in Yugoslavia, former Yugoslav republics and Europe. Vladimir Maricic choose nine songs, of 40 hours long rough material (recorded by ethnomusicologists on the field), rearranged it and recorded with intention to attempt a natural mix of serbian traditional music and modern music of XX century, and start the "Internationalization" of serbian traditional music.
The material is released by "Metropolis records" in 1000 copies.

Danas, (Today), 15.II 1999.

"Vlada Maricic & Ritual Band – Ritual (Metropolis records)"

Mixing folk music and jazz is old musical discipline, not very often, but on domestic scene present for a long time. In this case, which is result of interesting idea of jazz pianist Vladimir Maricic, who signed this CD as arranger and co-producer, the music offered to audience is very easy to understand even for those whose musical taste doesn’t favourised jazz, where someone could recognize the commerciality (why not ?) of this music project. The first impression, in all nine songs, is traditional song, performed in traditional way (female vocals).That makes a special flavor , making music more recognizable and easylistening. The tradition on CD is not only shape, but the key point. Ethno-sound is dominant, while jazz kept in background, except in cases of solo’s (not very often, nor pretentious).
Conclusion: It seems that "Ritual" is making an impossible; brings together fan’s of folk music and jazz, giving them both an equal chance to enjoy the music offered on this fine CD.

TV Revija (TV Review), 19.II 1999.