Record Reviews
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  | JOONAS LEPPANEN / ALDER EGO ~ ALDER EGO
AMP 016 (Barcode: 662578831105) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017
This is the debut album by the young Finnish Jazz quartet Alder EgoFind albums by this artist, led by drummer / composer Joonas LeppanenFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonist Jarno TikkaFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Tomi NikkuFind albums by this artist and bassist Teemu AkerblomFind albums by this artist. Accordionist Harri KuusijarviFind albums by this artist guest on a couple of tracks. The quartet presents seven original compositions, six of which were composed by Leppanen and one is a collectively improvised piece.
The quartet has an unusual sound due to the lack of any harmonic instruments (except for the accordion contributions) and therefore the music is based on the exchanges and unisono parts played by the brass, amicably supported by the rhythm section. Although melody based, the music allows for a lot of space and freedom, not as extreme as in Free Form, but certainly with a wide spectrum of improvised input. Overall the music is complex and diverse, but coherent and interesting throughout.
The individual statements by these musicians are quite impressive, and as usual emphasize the astounding level of musicianship achieved by young European Jazz musicians these days, not only in the Nordic countries by all over the continent. Leppanen is not only a gifted composer but also offers a unique drumming style. Akerblom keeps the music glues together by his splendid bass pulsations. Tikka and Nikku both sound like seasoned veterans who really know exactly what to play at each given moment. It is very encouraging to hear that the splendid Finnish Jazz legacy is continued by the new generation.
Overall this is an excellent debut effort, which offers wonderful contemporary European Jazz, which is not trivial or derivative, and which holds a lot of potential for the future achievements by these young lions. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 03/10/2017Posted: 03/10/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | OK:KO ~ LAND E.
AMP 011 (Barcode: 662578831044) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is the debut album by young Finnish Jazz quartet OK:KOFind albums by this artist, led by drummer / composer Okko SaastamoinenFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonist Jarno TikkaFind albums by this artist, pianist Toomas Keski-SanttiFind albums by this artist and bassist Mikael SaastamoinenFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions, all by the leader.
The music is a great example of interesting contemporary European Jazz, based on clearly defined melodic themes, but allowing a lot of freedom and space for the quartet members to interpret the music on individual basis, which often sounds as if the quartet members play on separate planes, yet somehow manage to keep everything coherently together. Another fascinating aspect of the music is the extensive usage of uneven rhythmic patterns, with the music falling in and out of the obvious swinging outline and changing the rhythm often within a singular phrase.
As usual with young European Jazz musicians it is amazing to see such a profound understanding of the Jazz idiom and a mighty arsenal of technical tricks and originality, which one does not usually expect to find with musicians of their age. Altogether this album leaves a very strong impression and it is a very impressive debut outing indeed. The only drawback is the very short duration of the music (just over thirty five minutes), which usually would be classified as an EP.
These young Lions are surely worth being followed, and they will surely produce more of such wonderful music as found on this album. In the meantime, just keep playing and composing!
| | Updated: 22/07/2017Posted: 22/07/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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