Igra Staklenih Perli

In the days when Yugoslavia was essentially a Communist state pretending to be open and democratic to promote and encourage the West to expand its economy via a growing tourist industry, there was also a side effect that lead to a proliferation in the arts and music. But naturally with such a state as Yugoslavia, it was only the "safe" bands that made it and got albums made. Of the underground scene, only the eccentric Buldozer broke out of the limelight, to create some wild and imaginative satirical rock which has led to comparison with The Mothers Of Invention.
But, what of Igra Staklenih Perli ("The Game Of Glass Pearls"), often reputed to be the finest of 70's Yugoslav progressives? It seems that even though they recorded two albums for RTB, they have become so obscure that they are now impossible to find. If it weren't for the enterprising Kalemegdan Disk record label in Germany their music may have been nothing more than a rumour.
Their origins start in 1976, initially a guitar and percussion duo, later augmented by a bassist. Even at their first live appearance in Belgrade (early 1977) psychedelic influences were evident, with use of theatrical costumes and elaborate light shows. An album was recorded but if it was released I'm not sure, the information I have is unclear. Some twenty odd concerts and 2 years later, recordings for the album SOFT EXPLOSION: LIVE were made, just released on cassette to document the concert. On vinyl it is surprising how good these recordings sound being transcribed from a humble cassette tape, and the music is quite extraordinary. Take one part of the very early spaced-out Hawkwind sound, add a touch of Ash Ra Tempel, add complex progressive arrangements, and space it out with an abundance of Irmin Schmidt style organ. And come to think of it, the version of Can's Mushroom sounds more like Pink Floyd. Credited as six tracks, but essentially one lengthy suite per side, acid-heads and space-rock fanatics are sure to go a bundle on this.
Whilst the band had split and the music of Igra Staklenih Perli had become almost mythical, they had left many documents of their music, some of the finest of which has been collected on INNER FLOW. Here amidst the Hawkwind-like space-drifts is even more Floydian tripping, along with a concoction of echo guitars, scuttling percussives, rumbling bass, shimmering organ. Amidst many references I could quote are Gila, Virus, UFO (and their classic FLYING), Gong, and even the Ozric Tentacles come to mind at times. Igra Staklenih Perli however did have a unique visionary aura about them, in a mostly instrumental rock music with open ended riffing space drives awash with electric cosmic energy. Despite its variable recording quality, INNER FLOW is also a fine collection of trippy space sounds.
These two albums affirm the legend of a lost but astounding band creating a music totally out of character with their culture, and even more extraordinary because of that! Plans of a reformation (some of the musicians had kept active in more popular bands: White Rabbit Band, and Tako) were more or less destroyed with the advent of civil war in Yugoslavia, although money raised by these records is to be used to buy instruments and hopefully resurrect the band. We can but hope!
From my review in Audion #22, published in July 1992

p.s. a reformation did happen eventually, and gig recordings are excellent.