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Above you can see some of my favourite choices of progressive
and alternative related items
I played in my radioshow before
"I want to write something general about rock music in former Yugoslavia. The first rock records (singles and EP's) were released in early sixties. They contains mostly cover versions of Italian, American and British artists. The
first rock album was released in 1968 (Grupa 220 - Nasi dani). Only a couple of Yugoslavian rock albums were released till the mid 70's. The groups from that period often took two parallel directions - they played commercial pop music and released pop singles (sometimes with obscure material on B sides), but they play different (progressive) music on concerts and albums (examples: Korni Grupa, Indexi, Pro Arte...). The records companies started to release more rock albums when the group Bijelo Dugme became a huge success." R.Pavlin
I noticed that in the seventies and early eighties many groups from former Yugoslavia seem to have had influence of Uriah Heep or similar Groups, such as Deep Purple,..), which Roman confirmed.
Complete list of mostly progressive items that might be important / interesting :
Many 70's prog seemed to have been under Deep Purple kind of music influences. I played lots of them in the second radioshow about former Yugoslavia.I this list you can find the progressive items. n the list of page 1 you can find the folk related items.
Comments added here by Roman Pavlin and me (indicated by PvhF). More comments will be added soon.
Do you know more interesting releases ? Please E-mail me your comments
* ABADON: Apokalipsa (prog. Rock)
"I have heard another album, but I am not sure if it is the same group. It was rock with few progressive elements, nothing special.
* ASHES YOU LEAVE : The Inheritance of Sin and Shame (art metal) 2000
"One of the only metal inspired items I have. An artefact describing former Yugoslavia, just after the war. With more into depth texts and emotions."
* BEGNAGRAD (Begnagrad, Ta stare) (folkrock / RIO )
The album "Konzert for a broken dance" (1982) is a highly recommended album, full of klezmer like live energy, (with balkan influences) full of invention. "Tastare (Theolwones)"(1977-1992) is less inventive.
* BIJELO DUGME dugme was tke leading YU rock group in ex-YU in the period from 1975-1985. The group leader was Goran Bregovic. Some material on their last albums is very folk oriented.
* BIJELE STRIJELE (= "White Arrows") First Yugoslavian (Croatian) beat group
* BULDOZER Know progressive rock group from Ljubjana. Inspired by Frank Zappa.
* CRNI BISERI 60's garage / punk / beat
* DAH "From "Samo Jedna Noc" (1973), "Veliki Circus" (1974) I had 2 tracks of plain heavy rock.
"These records are highly collectable, but the music is not very special, I gree" R.P.
* DELFINI 60's punk
* DJORDJE ILIJIN
From "Zabranjeno Prisluskivanje" (1983) :I heard only "Balkanska Meditacija"a Meditative cosmic psych track. Flutes, lots of church organ like keyboards, bird noises, then electronic repetitive paterns, drums.
* DRAGO MLINAREC (Rock, prog. Rock, Folkrock)
The first four albums are excellent. The first is rock, the second has some jazz rock elements, the third and fourth are close to folkrock, played with jazz musicians. Something like YU- Astral Weeks.
- Drago Mlinarec: "A ti se ne Daj" (1971) :
"About the tracks I heard : Song oriented with nice electric guitars / accurate evolving rhythm / beautiful bass. I especially like "Srebri se Mraz", a beautiful song with progressive band. " PvhF
"The first album is hard-rock oriented, but good." R.P.
- Drago Mlinarec: Krhotine (Rock - Folkrock, compilation, rec. 1971 - 82) :
Good only as an introduction. Albums with long tracks are still not available on CD format.
- Drago Mlinarec: Pjesme s planine (Rock - Folkrock) 1972 :
One of the best YU-rock albums. Some long (10 minutes) songs with Hammond organ as lead instrument.
From what I heard it did sound much more mainstream in style. I did not choose any of the three tracks for airplay.
"You have (I guess) heard short tracks. The record also contains two long organ lead progressive jazz (rock tracks)." R.P.
- Drago Mlinarec: Rodjenje (Rock - Folkrock) 1975
Excellent, long tracks, acoustic and electric instruments. Recommended.
The title track "Rodenje" contained some good improvised (prog) rock, still this track is very much song based, and its vocal melody line is not so melodic. "This record also contains one 10min+ long track." R.P.
- Drago Mlinarec: "Negdje Postoji Netko" (1977)
From the 2 tracks I heard I like the track "Jedrenjak", its accompaniment. Still very song based.
"The last very good Mlinarec record, but song based, later albums are for collectors or fans interests only" R.P.
* DRUGI NACIN & NEPOCIN (prog. Rock)
The first album from Drugi Nacin from 1975 is very good, one of the best 70's YU rock albums. Rock with some progressive and hard rock elements. Nepocin released one album only, it is similar to Drugi nacin (some members are the same) but not as good. Also on CD format (both albums on 1 CD). The first Drugi nacin album was recorded in 22 hours. The record was sold relatively well and was repressed many times.
"The first album Drugi Nacin (YU,1975) is hard rock flavoured progressive, the second "Svijet Po Kojem Gazim" (YU,1977) is still somewhat similar. With nice parts, but more hard rock. The third album "Ponovo na Putu" (1983) was more plain MOR, was made by reunion of the group because of the nostalgic reasons.
* GALIJA 1979-91 (prog. Rock, Rock)
Early albums sound like poor man's early Genesis. I have not heard later albums.
"Heard two tracks from Galija from their first album (1979). With organ and keyboards, guitars, vocals. Soft progressive rock. Nice, not incredible." PvhF
* GENERACIJA 5: Novi ivot / Izgubljeni san (prog.Rock)
Closer to American AOR than serious prog. Not recommended. This record is 45 RPM single.
* GRUPA 220 : "From "Slike" (1975) I heard one heavy rock track" PvHF "This is in fact the second Grupa 220 (Grupa 220 II), the musicians who recorded the first D. Mlinarec solo LP. They changed the name to "PARNI VALJAK" later and they still exist. They play commercial music now." R.P.
* IGRA STAKLENIH PERLI : "Between early Hawkwind and Pink Floyd : I have the wonderful psych. first album from 1978 (one of the only must haves I heard from former Yugoslavia so far, and Soft Explosion live but I don't like that second album so much." Pvhf "Drives" (rec.1977) "This album was made from old rehearsal tapes, which were overdubbed in the 90's. It sounds surprisingly good." R.P. "The 2 tracks I heard sounds good, but still not as original as the first album, but it shows the evolution" PvhF "Igra Staklenih Perli" (rec.1978) "A style between psych period of Pink Floyd and early Hawkwind. Fantastic. The group was actually musically inspired by Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream. In content they were inspired by Buddhism and its enlightenment, Zen Buddhism, Timothy Leary, Acid. The bass player considered his playing as performing a mantra. May be that is what psychedelic music should be all about ? Recommended, a must have (*****).Most psychedelic album from former Yugoslavia I know of." PvhF "It is the definite YU psychedelic album (and the only 70's yugoslavian psychedelic group)" R.P. "Soft Explosion live" (1979?)
Keyboards dominated cosmic early Hawkwind styled psych. I wondered at first if hte first track was a Hawkwind song or not ; if it was, it would be a very good version in Hawkwind related style. Only the vocals weren't mixed so perfectly or sung that good (on this live recording), but the playing is very interesting compared to the version on the '78 album. The second song, "Mushroom" is clearly under influence of Pink Floyd('s "Heart of the sun"). Must have been a good concert to experience. There are many, may be too many similarities in tracks/ songs / style with earlier '78 album without really being as fabulous. "Voyage Blue" follows an interesting psychedelic sounding rhythm patterns (in 11/8 ?)."Live recordings on ordinary cassette deck from the faculty for stomatology in Belgrade. Good document." R.P.
* INDEKSI : group Indexi has released two nice prog albums in early 70's style, "Modra rijeka" and "Kameni cvjetovi".
"Plima (1972) came from their first (compilation) album, which contains some more commercial oriented songs and some Procol Harum oriented prog. "Modra rijeka" (1978) album is quite good, it is in fact in early 70's progressive rock style. It is similar to "Kameni cvjetovi", but better." R.P.
* KASANDRIN GLAS : Same (prog. - psych. Rock, rec. 1994) Metropolis
Interesting, but hard to describe. Not like 60's or 70's stuff. Post new wave rock.
* KORNELIJE KOVAC: Dvojni identitet (prog. Rock) Komuna
I don't know this project. The first Korni Grupa album is essential. Albums "Not An Ordinary Life" and "1941" are good, too. Prog in style of some early 70's Italian rock groups. Compilation CD "Prvo svetlo neobicnog zivota" is also recommended and good place to start.***
* LEB I SOL: Same & 2 (prog. Rock, rec. 1977 & 78) Taped Pictures
"I have a compilation tape by them. Didn't find it very special, a bit too pop prog." PvhF
The first album is weak, a lot of "John McLaughlin"/ Al Di Meola tasteless electric guitar. The second album is much better, the group has found his own direction. Some material from their second album (Leb i sol 2) is promising Jazz Rock with Macedonian folk influences.
- Leb i Sol: Rucni rad & Beskonacno (prog. Rock, rec. 1979 & 81) Taped
Pictures : In similar style, the fourth album goes more in rock direction.
- Leb i Sol: Akusticna trauma (prog. Rock live, rec. 1982) Taped Pictures
Good live album, originally on double LP record.
- Leb i Sol: Devetka (prog. Rock, compilation, rec. 1977 - 81) Taped Pictures
Compilation of material from their first four albums.
* LAIBACH : "although know for their industrial works / electro industrial they also had a few interesting classical influenced works in the mid 80's, like "Macbeth" or "Nova Akropla". I did a radioprogram about them before, in the early 90's. There are influences from military dictatorship and extremism in the music, in a strange mixture of fascism and communism and mystifying elements, with lots of snare drum, trumpets, Wagnerian classical influences, tough vocals/expressions. Various other works are less ineresting, but the philosophies / performances always were."pvhf
* LEPEM PRIJAZNI : Same (prog. Rock)
* MARKO BRECELJ- Cocktail. I heard this , found it too much singer-songwritin with band, but I don't understand the language to fully apreciate.
* MEZE / GALIC :
Two guitarists/vocalists released one album only, IZZA OCI (1983). The record was recorded with guests (ex-Sedmina musicians Lado Jaksa and Matevz Smerkol). The album is not a masterpiece, but it has some fine moments. It is not available on CD.
* N. ALI LOG..: Vaspostavljanje (prog. Rock) No info known.
* NA LEPEM PRIJAZNI : What a time to make a fool of you (prog. Rock, rec. 1980 =LP "Same")
NIKA :" Good, innovative and funny. Highly recommended.". "I like this record. It is not a perfect record, but it is close to the Rock in opposition style." R.P. "Some good guitar, all right but not incredible. The track "Daljevidi" has the
most inventive guitar playing." PvhF
* PETER MEZE & JANC GALIC : Izza oci (Folkrock) ?
* POP MASINA "From "Kiselina" (1973), "Si Zemlja Svetlosi" (1974), I had two tracks. Plain heavy rock."PvhF
"The album is quite good, not very original, but the material is on high quality level. " R.P.
* QUATEBRIGA - Revolution in The ZOO (LP only), Quatebriga No. 1
"I have "vol 1", which has its moments of urban jazz rock."PvhF
* S VREMENA NA VREME (Folkrock, Rock):
Solid 70's acoustic band from Serbia, but not so inventive like Sedmina. Try the first album, later albums go more to average electric rock (you can hear that on this cassette). "I tried the first album, but was not so convinced. A few all right tracks, but not too special, and too much folk either " PvhF
- S Vremena na Vreme: Same (prog. Folkrock, rec. 1975) One Records
The best record from the group.
- S Vremena na Vreme: Posle kraja (Folkrock, rec. 1995) One Records
- S Vremena na Vreme: Unplugged (Folkrock live) Komuna
I don't know these later records from the group. I guess they performed mostly their old material from the 70's.
* SANDY ORKESTRAR LOPICIC : Border confusion (Network/D) : 2001 Rock-Jazz-Folk Fusion
* SEPTEMBER "Interesting group with musicians from Slovenia and Croatia. The first album has nice cover, the music is close to jazz rock with keyboards and violin. It sounds a little bit cold, but they are good musicians. The second album "Zadnja avantura" is more softer, some tracks are close to early Santana records. Not available on CD." R.P.
* SMAK 1975-86 (prog. Rock):
"I don't like the first album. "Crna dama" and "Stranice naseg vremena" are much better, but the best is (I think) the compilation of their early singles "Ulazak u harem". Soft prog with some jazz elements, interesting vocal. Some later albums are terrible. Bootleg CD "The Best Of Smak" is good introduction. There also is a CD version of the first album with additional singles tracks." "Some early singles are interesting, but they in fact never released good album. The best album is "Stranice naseg vremena", but is not available on CD." R.P.
* SMAK & RADOMIR MIHAJLOVIC -TOCAK "Heavy bluesrock. Did not like it so much." PvhF
* SUNCOKRET : (soft prog)
"Soft prog pop item with folk influences, and somewhat popular sounding rhythms / melodies. Some of the extra recorded tracks oI heard came from BOOM rock festivals, which were organized in the period from 1972 to 1977 in Ljubljana and other towns. A few other tracks came from singles." PvhF
* SVETLANA MAKAROVIC :
Respected Slovenian writer and poet recorded some nice albums during the 80's. "Nocni Sanson" (1984) is chanson performance accompanied by piano only. "Dadjamski Portreti"(1985) is similar, but recorded with prog/jazzrock group QUATEBRIGA. Their third album "Pelin Zena"(1986) was arranged and produced by
jazz trumpeter Dennis Gonzales. It is her best record. A fusion of chanson, folk and jazz with traces of progressive rock (early King Crimson?). All LP's are now available on CD format.
* TAKO & DJORDJE ILIJIN (prog. Rock) 1978-83
Soft prog with keyboards as leading instrument. Kalemegdan Vinyl reissues look and sound beautiful. The music is, I think, a little overrated. Check "Kalemegdan" cassette first.
soft prog rock with organ, el.guitars, drums, vocals.
* TIME (prog. Rock, Heavyrock, Jazzrock) 1972-76
"The first album is strong candidate for the best YU rock album ever. Highly recommended. The second album also has its moments. CD version of the first album contains the best track from the second album + single." R.P.
"Typical 70's hard prog styled prog, with an emphasis on the organ/ keyboards. Possible with Deep Purple influences
as well, but still beyond description, a nice progressive record."Za Koj Zivot Treba Da Se Rodim" is my favorite track." PvhF "The first album was recorded in 1972 (or 1971, I have to check). More similar material is available on vinyl compilation albums. The second and the third Time albums are much weaker." R.P.
* VATRENI POLJUBAC (Heavyrock) 1978-86
Bad hardrock, forget it.
* VARIOUS ARTISTS : Kalemegdan Disk (Igra Staklenih Perli & Tako LPs KD1-KD5)
ISP outtakes are work in progress, but everything is interesting. Recommended.
* VARIOUS ARTISTS: Bez struje (accoustic Rock) MTS Records
Babe, B-Ton, Dejan Cukic, Del Arno Bend, Delca i Extazi, Du Du A, Djura i Heroji, Eva Braun, Branka Katic i Trinidad Trip Bend, Kazna za Ui, Laki Pingvini, Milutin i Trinidad Trip Bend, Nesalomivi, Point Blank, Pussy Cat, Rambo Amadeus, Roze Poze, Sirova Koa, Ana Sofrenovic
New groups, I know some of them, some are interesting, but I don't know everything. I think you can miss this one.* Vlatko Stefanovski: Krushevo & Sarajevo (Promo Siemens) rec. 1998? & 93:prog. Folk & prog. Rock,)
* VLATKO STEFANOVSKI : Cowboys & indians (prog. Rock, ex-Leb i Sol, rec. 1993 - 94) Third Ear Music
- Vlatko Stefanovski,: Krushevo & Sarajevo (prog. Folk & prog. Rock, rec. 1998? & 93) Promo Siemens
Stefanovski is technically good guitarist, but his solo instrumental projects are boring to me. I have to say that some of my friends don't share my opinion and highly prize especially "Krushevo" project. Studio and live versions exist.
* YU GRUPA (Heavyrock, Rock) 1971-90
The first two albums are excellent, with Balkan folk elements. Some of the best songs were released only on singles, so try to get the compilation "YU zlato", too. Later material is more or less unimaginative hardrock.
Dreamy Macedonian Ethno, interesting.
"I heard "Yu Grupa" and "Yu Zlato". "Yu Grupa"'s first half is hard rock with very fine moments. Second half is nice sweet song based progressive rock." PvhF
"About "Yu Grupa" : First half is hard rock with very fine moments. Second half is nice, sweet song based progressive rock. "Covek I Marsovac" has a very good guitar playing. Second track "Devojko Mala Podigni Glavu" is such a sweet rock song." PvhF
"About "Yu Zlato" : Several songs, like "Nona" and "Kosovski Bozur" are Balkan folk influenced (heavy) rock songs, with inventive electric guitar melody adaptations. "Kosovski Bozur" first instrumentatal part reminds me at better examples of 70's Turkish Anatolian folkrock. The middle part is more bluesrock.This is a good compilation album of live ? outtakes and singles." PvhF "I am not sure that this album contains any live recordings. I like "Nona" and
"Kosovski bozuri", but much of the songs have terrible lyrics. They maybe sound better if you don't understand the words!" R.P.
Most remarks are not by me (except when indicated by PvhF)
Second Playlist (with remarks) radioshow about former Yugoslavia : Progressive Rock / Psych :
Third Playlist : before and after war introspections & bombastic orchestrations : Laibach, Ashes You Leave, Devil Doll
Fourth playlist : former Yugoslavian beat and early progressive (singles mostly) :
will be added soon
Extra links for collectors :
Following collector from Poland looks for YU vinyl hard rock, heavy-metal and progressive rock from 70s and 80s former Yugoslavia and trades Polish & Hungarian LP's for it : VINYLZONE <vinylzone@poczta.onet.pl>
FOLK PROG AND PROG FOLK ITEMS AT SECOND INDEX PAGE -->:
all links updated 2004-11-01
