Record Reviews

ROYHKA / PYYSALO / MAARIT ~ TURMION SUURHERTTUA SVART 084 (Barcode: 6430050669867) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a wonderful album by Finnish Rock vocalist / songwriter / author Kauko RoyhkaFind albums by this artist, recorded with Jazz vibraphonist / composer Severi PyysaloFind albums by this artist and a great band that comprises of drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist, bassist Juho KivivuoriFind albums by this artist, guitarist Varre VartiainenFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jukka EskolaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist and trombonist Heikki TuhkanenFind albums by this artist. The superb singer MaaritFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Maarit HurmerintaFind albums by this artist) appears on selected tracks. The album presents ten original songs, all composed and arranged by Pyysalo with lyrics by Royhka. Royhka enjoys a highly successful career in Rock since early 1980s, with a long list of albums under his arm, and in parallel a career as author with several books over time. He is especially revered for his strong, often provocative lyrics, which can easily be categorized as sung poetry. The decision to record this album, which crosses boldly into the Jazz idiom, turns out to be extremely creative, and these ten songs are all masterpieces of composition and arrangement, and combined with Royhka´s idiosyncratic voice and theatric delivery, are absolutely brilliant. The music is spiced with some Jazz soloing, just enough to define the musical environment, but not dominating the proceedings. This album brings fond memories of many similar projects that dominated the Finnish Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, and were abandoned later on, as the Jazz scene (and music scene in general) changed into less adventurous turf. Overall this is a superb album, which offers brilliant music, masterly arranged and performed, which works perfectly even for people like myself, who do not speak Finnish. The delivery and the music are strong enough even without the textual layer. An absolute must for Jazz & Poetry lovers!

Updated: 22/08/2020Posted: 22/08/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MARTTI VESALA SOUNDPOST QUINTET ~ LANDMARKS OZELLA 102 (Barcode: 4038952001024) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 This is the third album by Finnish Jazz trumpeter / composer Martti VesalaFind albums by this artist and his Soundpost QuintetFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonist Petri PoulitaivalFind albums by this artist, pianist Joonas HaavistoFind albums by this artist, bassist Juho KivivuoriFind albums by this artist and drummer Ville PynssiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music is pretty standard mainstream Jazz, based on solid melodic themes, that serve as basis for extensive improvisations by the quintet members. There is very little, if any, Nordic influence and stylistically the music is mostly post-Bebop oriented, with strong ties to American Jazz tradition and quite distant from the contemporary European Jazz and the Finnish Jazz tradition, which tends to be more adventurous and idiosyncratic. Having said that, this is still a first class Jazz album for listeners who like a more conventional and traditional approach. These relatively young musicians are all highly professional and well educated, and can plays as good as any musician from across the pond. There are plenty of fiery soli by the three soloists and the rhythm section is fluid and stable, supporting the music amicably. Overall, this is a fine Jazz album, played by gifted musicians and full of energy and spunk, suitable mostly for mainstream Jazz enthusiasts, who should enjoy this music immensely. Listeners looking for the typical Finnish Jazz aesthetic could be disappointed.

Updated: 09/08/2022Posted: 09/08/2022

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend