Record Reviews

ALVARADO / KOIVISTOINEN / TUOMARILA ~ ALMA SVART 208 (Barcode: 6430065588023) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2018 - 2019 Released: 2019 This is a wonderful album by a trio which puts together Argentinean Tango vocalist Martin AlvaradoFind albums by this artist and two Finnish Jazz Masters: saxophonist / composer Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven songs, five composed by Koivistoinen and two by Tuomarila, all with lyrics by Alvarado, one by Alvarado and three come from other sources. The music is a very authentic Jazz-World Fusion adventure, combining the Tango characteristics with Jazzy accompaniment, not trying to sound overtly related to any of the genres but rather creating a new amalgam. The original compositions by both the Finns manage successfully to create a Tango subtext, but also venture into other idioms, like Blues and Latin music. The intimate setting creates a special ambience, where the vocals and the saxophone / piano accompaniment compliment each other very tightly, presenting plenty of opportunities for solo parts by both instruments, both executed perfectly. Koivistoinen, despite his age, sounds vital and creative, as if untouched by the tides of time, which hopefully will continue for many years to come. Overall this is a very unique and beautiful project, splendidly executed and reverberating the idea of cross-genre pollination. Argentinean Tango was always spiritually close to Jazz, as already demonstrated by the pioneering work of Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist, and the many fans of this kind of musical bridge will find this album certainly worthy of their attention.

Updated: 15/08/2020Posted: 15/08/2020

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EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ DIVERSITY SVART 336 (Barcode: 6430050661618) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the third album by Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded with his current quartet, which offers a steady lineup for the last decade and includes the outstanding pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music offers a wide range of contemporary modern Jazz, mostly within the mainstream idiom, but brilliantly showcasing the diversity (as the title suggests) of the genre. The elaborately melodic base, which characterizes Koivistoinen’s career now entering its seventh decade, is always beautifully crafted and offers an ideal vehicle for the quartet members to improvise and express their inventiveness and virtuosity. Completely in disregard of his age, Koivistoinen still displays strong, vigorous saxophone parts, which easily match the energy and vitality of the younger members of the quartet. Tuomarila is by now an established musical figure on the international scene and his piano playing sparkles with elegance and sophistication. The rhythm section is superbly synchronized with the two soloists and for the entire duration offers a perfect support, as well as impressive solo inserts. Koivistoinen, who is one of the founding Fathers of Finnish Jazz, manages to stay prolifically active, relevant and still mostly unmatched on the local scene, which of course is an absolutely remarkable phenomenon in every respect. His recorded legacy to date is a wonderful example of the best in European Jazz, which although strongly rooted in American Jazz tradition, successfully integrates European ingredients, creating a perfect hybrid. Overall, this is another masterpiece in the extensive collective work by Koivistoinen as composer, player and bandleader, which is a living proof of the ingenuity of our generation, proudly serving as an example to the future music makers. Thank you for this wonderful music, my Friend!

Updated: 21/12/2022Posted: 21/12/2022

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EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ HATI HATI SVART 352 (Barcode: 6430050663032) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by a quartet led by Finnish Jazz Giant, saxophonist / composer Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist with three representatives of the younger generation of the Finnish Jazz scene: pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tunes, seven of which are original compositions by Koivistoinen and one is an arrangement of a Bob DylanFind albums by this artist song. During a career that lasts for over five decades Koivistoinen amassed an incredible legacy of music. As one of the founding Fathers of Finnish Jazz he continuously performed, recorded, led ensembles, and toured both locally and internationally, in short was and still is "Mr. Jazz" in the best and most accurate meaning of the term. He always combined the two most vital qualities essential for a great Jazz musician: a superb and very personal technique and a very personal, instantly recognizable compositional skill. Consistently and marvelously Koivistoinen established his position as one of the leading world-class post-Coltrane saxophonists over the years, and his playing lost absolutely nothing of its fluency, vitality and most importantly that incredible "coolness" which makes him stand apart from most other players. This album is a superb example of melodic Modern Jazz, which flows gently from one tune to the next completely naturally and coherently. Koivistoinen´s compositions are all absolute gems, each and every one of them immediately deserving a status of a standard. Since the very early days he always managed to amaze me time after time with the gorgeousness of his tunes and the ones present here are no exception. Of course great tunes are basis of everything in Jazz, which this album demonstrates repeatedly. The saxophone performances are also stunning and stellar, with a wonderful natural flow and lucidity. Even when the improvisations become complex and dense, they sound absolutely melodic and crystal clear. Careful listening reveals the entire Jazz tradition, which Koivistoinen´s playing is based on, and yet he remains completely original and always full of imagination. It is not surprising that for me Koivistoinen is one of the absolute top active world saxophone players and hopefully this will continue to be the case in years to come. The fact that Koivistoinen is first and foremost Finnish and European, which forged his musical personality and allowed it not to be overwhelmed by the American Jazz tradition, creating a wonderful amalgam of European elegance and taste with the original American spirit of the idiom. Over the years Finland continuously produces wave after wave of extremely talented and creative musicians, including those active on the Jazz scene. Therefore it is not surprising that the younger players on this album are all masters of their trade. Tuomarila, who is naturally given a greater exposure, is an absolutely wonderful pianist, with exceptional sense of melody and fluidity, which turns his solos into micro masterpieces. Huhtala supports the music solidly and with a great sense of harmony. Lehtonen takes a very conservative approach trying to be as much respectfully unobtrusive as possible, which in case of this rather soft and delicate music is the best approach. Overall this is a stunningly beautiful album, full of exquisite music and stellar performances, as always in the case of anything Koivistoinen is involved with. His many fans will find this album a worthy continuation of his splendid legacy and those who are not familiar with the Master, will perhaps be caught in the net of his magic notes. Thank you Eero for making this great music, which is able to make us smile again!

Updated: 19/12/2022Posted: 25/11/2017

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EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ILLUSION SVART 124 (Barcode: 6430065582939) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 - 2015 Released: 2017 This is the second album by a quartet led by Finnish Jazz Giant, saxophonist / composer Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist with three representatives of the younger generation of the Finnish Jazz scene: pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tunes, six of which are original compositions by Koivistoinen and one is a standard, which originates from an earlier recording session from 2012 that produced the debut album "Hati HatiFind albums with this title". The six new recordings were the last ones recorded at the legendary M1 Studio of the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company) which witnessed numerous Jazz albums being recorded there during its existence. The music, as expected, is a wonderful collection of sublimely melodic tunes, which Koivistoinen manages to weave times and time again with his usual natural heartfelt elegance. As a composer Koivistoinen is absolutely untouched by the tides of time and his compositions are as vigorous, full of joy, energy and harmony as they were through his entire career. The quartet performs also every bit as expected, with Koivistoinen saxophone soaring over the background supplied by the rhythm section, in a typical barrage of notes which characterizes the Modern Jazz post-Coltrane school, which he always represented faithfully. Tuomarila displays his incredible fluency and technique, which spark the quartet´s overall sound significantly. Huhtala and Lehtonen solidly provide the rhythmic pulsations and since this album features more up-tempo numbers that the debut, they are heard much more prominently. Overall this quartet´s performances are the epitome of what modern mainstream Jazz is all about – great tunes perfectly executed by talented and highly professional musicians, who have to ability to state something personal and original rather than imitating the past. For mainstream Jazz lovers this album is an instant classic, which should satisfy even the most experienced connoisseurs. Just grab a copy ASAP and enjoy – satisfaction guaranteed!

Updated: 19/12/2022Posted: 28/11/2017

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TOMASZ STANKO ~ DARK EYES ECM 2115 (Barcode: 602527112664) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, one of the great Lions of European Jazz, now in his fifth decade of the tireless journey dedicated to discovering uncharted territory. Following the last three brilliant recordings with his all-Polish quartet in the early to mid 2000s and then three years of silence, Stanko returns with this recording of a completely new group comprising of young Scandinavian musicians: Finnish pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, Danish guitarist Jakob BroFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Anders ChristensenFind albums by this artist and Finnish drummer Olavi LouhivuoriFind albums by this artist. Obviously rejuvenated by the presence of these young and talented players, Stanko presents his new energetic music as well as paying tribute to his Mentor Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist by including two of his compositions into the set. There is no need to say much more here, as Stanko is already well beyond criticism with his magic touch and incredible talent. He shows no signs of age and anything produced by him is pure gold. Although the album does not break any new ground musically, one can hardly hold this against Stanko, who just keeps perfecting what he does best, and as a result allows us to drink from his seemingly perpetually full cup. Brilliant stuff!

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