Record Reviews

OLLI AHVENLAHTI / UMO ~ SEAWINDS: THE COMPLETE YLE STUDIO RECORDINGS 1976-1981 SVART 171 (Barcode: 6430065583486) ~ FINLAND ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1976 - 1981 Released: 2018 This is an archival album collecting all the recordings by Finnish keyboardist / composer Olli AhvenlahtiFind albums by this artist recorded with the superb UMOFind albums by this artist Jazz Orchestra for the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company). The album presents fifteen tracks, including the five-part "Seawinds" suite, which gave the album its title. All the music was composed and arranged by Ahvenlahti. UMO, founded in 1975, turned out to be Finland´s most renowned Jazz Big Band / Orchestra, active to this very day. Over the years its ranks included the absolute who’s who of the Finnish Jazz scene, as well as numerous international guests, and produced a remarkable recording legacy. On these recordings the UMO was in its early days, but already offered a remarkable level of professionalism and talent, as well as a typical European approach to the Big Band Jazz sound and style. It included such formidable players as saxophonists Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist, Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist, Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist, Pentti LahtiFind albums by this artist and Paroni PaakkunainenFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Kaj BacklundFind albums by this artist, trombonist Mircea StanFind albums by this artist, pianist Heikki SarmantoFind albums by this artist, bassists Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist and Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist, drummer Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist and many others. Ahvenlahti played keyboards and the orchestra was conducted by Esko LinnavalliFind albums by this artist. Three of the tracks feature the wonderful vocalist Irina MilanFind albums by this artist, singing music composed to Finnish poetry. The music is beautifully melodic and at the same time complex enough to keep the listener on his toes. The superb Big Band arrangements and wonderful soloing turns this album into an excellent listening experience, which is fresh and full of youthful energy with a slight Fusion tinge. All the sections of the Big Band are perfectly utilized to create a big sound, but the listener is able to hear each individual; instrument. The excellent rhythm section drives the music forward with zest and elegance. Overall this is a great Big Band Jazz album that lost nothing of its power and freshness over time and sounds every bit as exciting as it did at the time of the recording. For European Big Band Jazz fans this is a true feast and for the many UMO followers around the world this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/07/2020Posted: 12/07/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

IRINA MILAN ~ PAHAN KUKKIA PRO 007 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 1989 - 1990 Released: 1990 This is a wonderful Jazz & Poetry album by Finnish vocalist Irina MilanFind albums by this artist recorded with a formidable team of Finnish Jazz musicians headed by saxophonist / composer Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist, who composed and arranged all the music, and including also pianist Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist, bassist Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist, drummer Jukkis UotilaFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mongo AaltonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight songs, seven based on poems by the French poet Charles BaudelaireFind albums by this artist and one by another French poet Maxime Du CampFind albums by this artist, all translated into Finnish language. The music is absolutely stunning and one of my favorite Koivistoinen´s creations in his extensive recorded legacy. Despite the time, language and cultural gaps between the original poetry and the contemporary approach of the music, it seems that this music and the poetry were destined for each other. Milan is a superb vocalist and her clear, precise and highly emotional delivery is a pure delight from start to finish. The instrumental parts are also sublime with Koivistoinen playing some of the most passionate concise solos of his career. Kantonen is ideal in his role as sensitive accompanist and also delivers some great solo spots. The rhythm section is perfect for the job, and the veterans play with precision and vigor. Overall this is a brilliant album, which reflects the best qualities of Finnish Jazz and the Jazz & Poetry idiom at its full glory. For some strange reason this album is still available (from SvartFind albums on this label Records) so every true music connoisseur in his right mind should be ordering it right now! The fact that you don´t know Finnish means absolutely nothing in this case ;)

Updated: 27/08/2020Posted: 27/08/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

EDWARD VESALA ~ RODINA LOVE 189 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 For almost four decades, until his untimely death in 1999, Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist was one the leaders of the European jazz scene with dozens of recordings to his credit (as leader and sideman). His phenomenal talent as a drummer, composer, bandleader and trendsetter made him a pivotal figure and his status was truly legendary. This recording is one of the highlights of his illustrious career. It is a suite for a large jazz ensemble, which incorporates modern jazz idioms with Eastern European folk motifs. Vesala collected for this project the creme de la creme of the Finnish jazz scene, with such illustrious names as Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist (sax & flute), Esa HelasvuoFind albums by this artist (piano), Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist (bass) and two phenomenal Polish jazz musicians: Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (trumpet) and Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist (sax), with whom he played many times before in the Polish / Finnish quartet. The vocal talents of Irina MilanFind albums by this artist are also featured on some tracks. The music is truly majestic, floating constantly between melodic themes, solos by the individual instrumentalists and group improvisations. It leaves the listener awestruck and humble, following a larger then life soundtrack of wonders. A modern jazz icon and an absolute must in any decent jazz collection.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend