IGRA STAKLENIH PERLI

Review Nº 662

In the days when Yugoslavia was essentially a Communist country, despite the differences with the other Eastern Countries, pretending to be open and democratic to promote and encourage West World to expand its economy via a growing tourist industry, there was also a side effect that lead to a proliferation in music and in the arts in general. But, naturally, with such a state as Yugoslavia, it was only bands that we can call 'safe' that made it and got albums made.

So, what to say about Igra Staklenih Perli (The Game Of Glass Pearls), often reputed to be as one of the finest of 70's Yugoslav progressive rock bands, in the same vein of Tako? Their origins started in 1976, initially a guitar and percussion duo, later augmented by a bassist. Even at their first live appearance in Belgrade, in the early of 1977, psychedelic influences were evident, with the use of theatrical costumes and elaborated light shows. Two albums were recorded, their eponymous debut 'Igra Staklenih Perli' of 1979 and their second 'Vrt Svetlosti' of 1980 and some twenty odd concerts were made. On vinyl it's surprising how good these recordings sound with some excellent music.

Take one part of the very early spaced out Hawkwind's sound, add a touch of Ash Ra Tempel and Tangerine Dream, add the hypnotic rhythms of Can, complex progressive arrangements and space it out with an abundance of organ with a touch of Pink Floyd and you have the picture. Acid heads and space rock fanatics are sure to go a bundle on this band.

So, 'Igra Staklenih Perli' is the eponymous debut studio album of Igra Staklenih Perli and was released in 1979. The line up on the album is Vojkan Rakic (Joshua N'Goma) ' (vocals and guitar), Zoran Lakic (Svaba the Kraut) ' (vocals and keyboards), Drasko Nikodijevic (Drakula) ' (vocals and bass) and Predrag Vukovic (drums and percussion).

'Igra Staklenih Perli' is an album where the final result was a very tighter and enjoyable work with some strong Pink Floyd and Hawkwind influences, featuring crunchy guitars and solos, pounding rhythms in the vein of Can, marching bass and cosmic vocals. The material is surrounded by beautiful Eloy like effects and guitar trembles, which still links the band to the principles of Krautrock music. During this series of outlandish grooves piano is always there to offer a richer and more sinister sound, with great spaced out textures with dark atmospheres and no intention to fill the sound with needless jams. The circular percussions are deceptively simple. The precise throbbing bass stays steady while the keyboards and guitar fly out into vast reaches of space, on this free flowing, primarily instrumental effort. The album does contain a smattering of vocals, done often through an echo effect, which further cements the Can influence. Some of the sound all over the album is a bit murky, but that only enhances the underground vibe that we can hear all over it.

About the tracks, 'Gusterov Trg' can boast the full force of the space rock of the early 70's. In addition to futuristic keyboard blubbering, dust dry guitar riffs provide for a powerful energy. Atmospheric hypnotism and unaffected power determine the sound that, despite convincing deficiencies, can convince. With 'Solarni Modus', the psychedelic drive is interrupted a bit. This instrumental number looks more orderly and already it seems to me a much more classic symphonic in its basic concept. Subsequently, with 'Putovanje U Plavo', Igra Staklenih Perli embarks on some hypnotic rhythms in devious psychedelic climes. Powerful space rock riffs and bubbly synths turn this number into an intense trip into the realm of mind expanding sound. A sophisticated percussion and tight bass lines provide a filigree backbone for all the crazy drive sound. In the further course, 'Pecurka', the sound of the ex-Yugoslavs looks like an herbaceous version of the early Pink Floyd. The deficit in the sound unfortunately contributes to the fact that the true brilliance of the band appears rather restrained and leaves the album in its entirety a slightly fragmentary character. In the concluding, 'Majestetski Kraj', in spite of all hypnotism, a melodic undertone from the hidden again enters into the musical event. It can only be boldly speculate as to which could be the more impressive work here, if the original recordings had not taken place under with some adverse conditions. Still, this is an interesting way to close the album.

Conclusion: Igra Staklenih Perli's debut album suffers from the bad condition that the album was recorded, in those times. And what is even most impressive is that two of the songs that should be part of the album, simply disappeared. So, this is the reason why this album is only twenty minutes long. However, this half an hour recordings are very impressive, really. The thing that makes this album so unique is the fact that it can be proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with many worldwide psychedelic space rock artists. This is definitely something each psychedelic fan must hear, and the band allowed that by putting it online for a free download. 'Igra Staklenih Perli' is really a great album, despite is unfortunately and basically a mutilated work. The master tapes of this production are probably lost for a long time. Pity! This music really deserves to be rescued to the digital world. I hope you can enjoy it as happened with me.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Without question one of my favourite bands from the former Yugoslavia along with LEB I SOL, TAKO and SMAK. I think we are very fortunate to even be able to hear this music as somehow they managed to get these recordings released by a German label. This particular live album is archival being released in 1991 and I have the re-issue from 1993 with better sound quality and an extra track. This was recorded live at Belgrade University, to be more precise in the Dental section of the Medical College in 1978. They sound like PINK FLOYD on their "Saucerful Of Secrets" album, quite dark and spacey, a lot of soundscape stuff but some structured tunes as well with vocals.

"Soft Explosion" is the one track that is really worth having as I don't have it on the other two recordings I have by this band. A long one that opens with the band being introduced in their own language. Soundscape music that is dark but when the tempo picks up it really does sound amazing. A calm late with vocals crying out is really cool as well.

We get a similar vibe on "Lyzzard Square" but we get vocals in english here and some great sounding bass and guitar. I like the spacey synths as well. "Mushroom" is a CAN cover and one of their favourite bands along with FLOYD but they also mention TANGERiNE DREAM and Holger Czukay so you get the idea where these guys are coming from in the late seventies. This might be a CAN cover but again it sounds like early PINK FLOYD. Vocals too and some organ as well. "Solar Modus" builds with the guitar crying out and I love that rhythm section. Electronics late when it settles down. "Voyage Into Blue" is spacey as an urgent bass line arrives. Drums follow as synths shoot off.

There's a couple of more tracks but you get the drift. A solid 4 stars and man this band is right in my wheelhouse when it comes to dark and spacey music.

Former Yugoslavian act, strictly connected with the Kraut Rock tradition, formed in 1976 in Beograd by old school friends Zoran Lakic (keyboards) Vojkan Rakic (guitar), and Predrag Vukovic (percussion).Named after Hermann Hesse''s novel ''The Glass Bead Game'', the trio was followed soon by bassist Drasko Nikodijevic and, with the addition of Dragan Soc on drums in 1977, they started performing live.Previously unreleased material from these early days of the group was released on vinyl in 1992 as ''Inner flow'' by the German label Kalemegdan Disk, specialized in 60's/70's Psych/Prog from East Europe.Most of the band members used pseudonyms, as shown in the back cover of the LP, and all tracks were studio recordings except the eponymous one, which was captured live in 1978 at SKC in Beograd.

This archival album kick off quite strongly with the rhythmic pair of ''Flow access'' and ''Hotel wave'', heavily based on the dynamic organ and the nice electric guitars, soon the album will adapt a cosmic atmosphere with ''Magic machine'', in the vein of CAN and ASH RA TEMPEL, with long electronic introductions, distorted vocals, throbbing bass and repetitive percussions.''Lake of Lily'' is a long groovy tune with marching bass and drums, supported by psych guitars and Hammond organ, quite interesting to say the least.The second side is definitely weaker with an even rawer sound and a pretty repetitive style.''Drakula's Dance'' is another long improvised piece, completely atonal, with electronic fanfares and abstract guitar lines and the very long live track is rather hypnotic with overstretched themes, lacking variations and energy, strongly led by percussions, organ and synthesizers.The closing part, featuring Rakic'es decent guitar texture, is maybe its best offering, somewhere between early FLOYD and HAWKWIND.The short closer ''Balkan IV'' sounds more than an intro than an outro, wrongly placed at the end of the album, with spacey use of guitars and synths in a piece that sounds incomplete as presented.

This early document of Igra Staklenih Perli's first period is propably a cool purchase for fans of the band and dedicated Kraut/Space/Electronic Rock fans.This is not music for everybody with stretched psychedelic soundscapes and few variations throughout...2.5 stars.

According to the liner notes these tracks were basically demos or recordings of local concerts they did in Belgrade prior to the release of their debut album in 1979. I really didn't find the sound quality too bad at all and while I prefer the self titled studio album more, this is definitely worth getting a hold of if your a fan of Psychedelic music. This was released originally in 1991 by a German label.

"Flow Access" is the short opener as we get abrasive sounds along with this mellow pulsating sound throughout. "Hotel Wave" has what sounds like light keys as the bass joins in. Drums and guitar follow. It picks up after 3 minutes. Vocal melodies before 4 minutes. "Magic Machine" is my favourite. Organ, bass and a beat to start as psychedelic guitar joins in. Nice. Faint vocals after 2 minutes. The vocals stop then the beat stops as it turns spacey before 4 1/2 minutes. It's dark with voices 6 1/2 minutes in. "Lake Of Lily" features a rhythm that picks up speed as the organ joins in. Vocals after 2 minutes but they don't stay around long.

"Dracula's Dance" has this heavy rhythm and abrasive guitar. I like it. Bass comes to the fore after 5 minutes. "Inner Flow" opens with percussion and organ as the guitar comes in and starts to solo. It's intense 4 1/2 minutes in. It turns spacey before 6 1/2 minutes then picks back up before 9 minutes with guitar, organ and drums. They're kicking ass late to end it. "Balkan IV" opens with atmosphere as guitar and other sounds come and go. Vocal sounds and samples come in after 2 1/2 minutes.

The debut album is a must but if you can get your hands on this too I wouldn't hesitate.

4.5 stars. Tom Ozric as usual hit the nail on the head in describing this Yugoslavian band from the late seventies. Very PINK FLOYD-like and were talking the "Saucerful Of Secrets" era with a dash of HAWKWIND and Krautrock. Man I have been enjoying this album.

"Gusterov Trg" is spacey with sparse sounds to open then it starts to pick up and it kicks in before 2 minutes followed by vocals. The guitar lights things up before 3 minutes. "Solarni Modus" opens with piano, drums, guitar and more reminding me of FLOYD. It settles in with a good beat and prominant guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. "Putovanje U Plavo" is a fantastic track that opens in a spacey manner with a beat. Keys, vocals and a heavier sound 2 minutes in. Great sound here. This reminds me of HAWKWIND. Ripping guitar after 4 1/2 minutes. The guitar stops but the beat continues as it becomes very psychedelic.

"Pecurka" is my favourite and one of the best psychedelic tunes i've ever heard. It's humming to start and it's dark. A beat slowly pounds then whispered vocals and creepy guitar expressions come in. It's FLOYD-like after 3 minutes as it builds with the guitar crying out. It kicks in after 4 1/2 minutes. Nice. It then settles back. So good ! "Majestetski Kraj" opens with organ and moog? and it's building 2 minutes in until we are rocking pretty good.

It's interesting how many East European countries seem to follow musical trends many years later because of how difficult it was to get Western music in past the Communist governments. So yes this was released in 1979 but that for me is not a negative at all. A must for Psychedelic fans.

Igra Staklenih Perli's debut had that secret ingredient that makes space-rock tick. This is largely absent here and while the sound doesn't differ all too much, the songs never grab the attention like they did on the previous album.

The songwriting is more Hawkwind oriented, comparable to their 'new-wave' albums such as 'Quark Strangeness and Charm' and 'PXR5', but there's also a hint of the more rocking 'Levitation' album. Anyway, the reliance on just one source of inspiration makes the band less diverse and experimental then on the early-Floyd meets Gong blend of the debut. But the main problem is the songwriting, which rarely reaches anything resembling a hook or decent groove, both quite important for a space-rock album.

As others have concluded before me, this is still an enjoyable listen, but it is too safe and formulaic to rate any better then just ok.

Very short but quite strong debut of Serbian psych/space prog band. Almost decade later than their main influences, band's sound is a bit vintage, but it is not imitation. Just all Eastern Europe (including South Eastern lands of Yugoslavia) during after WWII period was a place of itself, so many trends just needed years to come there.

Melodic, with very light Balkan scent, this album's music is mix of early Pink Floyd, Hawkwind and Can influences. Competent enough to be listened, not original enough to be named great music. Possibly, main problem is terrible sound mix and recording quality. Very flat sound and almost unpleasant instrumental mix destroy quite good musical material. For sure, better producing could help to make this material more attractive. Original album is extremely short (less than 28 minutes), and re-release with bonuses doesn't add much, because all bonuses mostly are raw musical material just filling CD space.

Mostly interested as good musical evidence of time and the place, album could be listened with some interest from psych/space prog fans.

This CD release includes two LP albums by ISP originally recorded in 1979 (eponymous debut) and 1980 ("Vrt svetlosti") respectively. That fact alone - because these two were the only official releases during the band's active life until 1985 break-up - would suffice the recommended purchase. More than that, both original albums were rather poorly produced and were extremely short-running (debut even less than 30 minutes), so the remastered CD re-issue was natural to expect to appear. Thanks to Branimir Lokner, the editor of the Retrologija series (which so far re-issued several key classic and prog rock acts from the Yugoslav past like SMAK and INDEXI among others), this title "Igra svetlosti" ("The Game of Light") is now available through the PGP RTS label.

For those unfamiliar, let us remind them that ISP was perhaps the only genuine psychedelic/space rock band in the former Yugoslavia, following the path set by the early PINK FLOYD as of 1968/69, as well as by HAWKWIND and Krautrock acts of the 1970s. The band name was inspired by and taken from Hermann Hesse's novel "Das Glasperlenspiel" ("The Glassbeads Game"). They pioneered the use of lasers, light-show and special visual effects during their live performances and had a considerable cult following, mostly in the Belgrade underground scene of the late 1970s. The cover art of this CD is nicely reflecting a mesmerizing atmosphere of the music, which used to be described by the band members themselves as "the music of the stream of consciousness".

The band line-up on these albums included: Predrag Vuković-percussion; Vojkan Rakić-guitar; Zoran Lakić-keyboards, vocals; Drasko Nikodijević-bass, vocals and Dragan Soć-drums. Slobodan Trbojević replaced Nikodijević on bass for the second album, while Goran Cvetić was responsible for lighting design on stage and special effects.

For details about the musical content I am referring you to the reviews of the respective albums. Having digitally improved sound and informative booklet "Igra svetlosti" is a precious testimony of the almost forgotten underground scene in former SFR Yugoslavia. It represents an indispensable addition to the catalog of European psychedelic progressive rock.

PERSONAL RATING: 4/5

P.A. RATING: 5/5

After almost 30 years I finally managed to get proper release of this wonderful disc,courtesy of Mr. Doug Larson.I never liked original LP release which sounded very thin with no dynamic range whatsoever.Music on this re-release(German Second harvest label)still sound so charmingly underground despite excellent remastering job which enhance listening pleasure.Influences range from early Pink Floyd,Hawkwind and Can with a dash of You era Gong.I may be wrong,but seems to me that 20 years later San Francisco band Melting Euphoria(not included on PA?)almost copied Igra staklenih perli's sound from this album.Very spaced out keyboard and guitar work were halmarks of this highly unique Belgrade band and is highly recommended as a example of Yugoslavian prog-underground scene from late seventies.Very short,but sweet.

Glass pearls which are proving themselves valuable ...

IGRA STAKLENIH PERLI's debut might also be categorized as a Krautrock album. First of all the recordings of the songs suffered from some bad conditions. The studio crew normally produced folk and pop albums and was obviously overchallenged by this 'unusual' music. And then two songs got simply lost - the reason why the album is only 28 minutes long. But this half an hour is fabulous though - very impressive indeed.

We have various keyboard work with floydy references to the deep space/psychedelic mood of the Ummagumma live songs here and there. This can be pointed out with the opener Gusterov trg for example - additionally provided with a compelling guitar work. Furthermore the songs are mostly instrumental spacy near to Hawkwind with some english vocals. But the band is able to manage an independend style at large on this album - a special spirit. Several repetitive hypnotic patterns are even bringing the album into the reach of Kraut - on the other hand there are a lot of speed variations and effects within the songs.

Whilst I'm writing this review I noticed there is offered a re-release with 8 bonus tracks by the Second Harvest label but unfortunately couldn't find any further information. Hopefully with the digitally remastering the sound quality is enhanced. Anyhow - musically it's a big recommendation in any case.