Record Reviews

ALEKSI HEINOLA ~ ALEKSI HEINOLA QUARTET JAZZAGGRESSION 734 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2023 This is the second album by young Finnish drummer / composer Aleksi HeinolaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic quartet setting with veteran pianist (and drummer) Jukkis UotilaFind albums by this artist, Hungarian saxophonist Gabor BollaFind albums by this artist and Swedish bassist Daniel FranckFind albums by this artist. The album presets no less than thirteen tracks, four of which are original compositions by Heinola, one is by Uotila and the rest are standards. The music is all straightforward mainstream Jazz, Bebop and Hard Bop oriented. The five original compositions blend well with the rest of the material, so stylistically the album is coherent and for mainstream Jazz lovers, this is a great opportunity to hear some contemporary approach to the American tradition, somewhat Europeanized by the performances, but not changing the spirit of the original concept of American Jazz from the 1950 / 1960. Why would European musicians play that kind of music is another matter entirely, but whatever they do here is every bit as good as everything played across the pond at the time and often also today. Overall, for mainstream Jazz lovers, this is an excellent listening experience, as both the music and the performances are nothing short of first class. The quartet members are all pros and the music flows smoothly and effortlessly, which is what mainstream Jazz is all about.

Updated: 28/03/2023Posted: 28/03/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JAZZBALTICA ENSEMBLE / DAVID MURRAY ~ BALTIC SUITE GOWI 05 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 1993 This is a relatively little known album recorded live by a large assembly of Jazz musicians from several countries situated around the Baltic Sea, called JazzBaltica EnsembleFind albums by this artist, directed by American saxophonist / composer David MurrayFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded during the second JazzBaltica Festival held in Germany. The ensemble included some of the absolutely top-notch Jazz players from the Baltic countries, such as Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Anders JorminFind albums by this artist, Finnish drummer Jukkis UotilaFind albums by this artist and many others. Another American taking part in the ensemble is tuba player Howard JohnsonFind albums by this artist, who very often plays with European Jazz musicians. The music is a suite arranged for a large ensemble / Big Band, which comprises of several earlier compositions by Murray, which were reworked anew and incorporated into a coherent suite. The music is a wonderful example of a Big Band setting, which allows for a series of expanded improvisations by all the participants, either individually or in small groups, accompanied by the entire ensemble. Although clear melodic themes are stated periodically, most of the music is freely improvised and allows for a large degree of individual expression. The solos are all exceptional, which is not surprising considering the incredible level of the musicians involved. Although directed by Murray, this is typically European Jazz, with its relaxed and even somewhat melancholic ambience and sophisticated solos, which open up and explore new sonorities well beyond the standard Big Band arrangements. Several of these solo excursions depart beyond the thematic framework of the pieces, which build up this suite, being completely free spirited and spontaneously created, which is a norm as far as European Big Bands are concerned. Overall this is a superb piece of large ensemble music, exquisitely performed and worthy of an honorable place among other similar efforts of European Jazz. For Tomasz Stanko aficionados, like myself, this is simply a must, especially since so few people know about this album!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JUPU GROUP / JUKKA LINKOLA OCTET ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 05 & VOL. 06 SVART 027 (Barcode: 6430050667207) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1977 Released: 2016 Jupu GroupFind albums by this artist was a short-lived Finnish experimental Fusion band led by violinist Juhani PoutanenFind albums by this artist and included also guitarist Janne LouhivuoriFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jukka LinkolaFind albums by this artist, bassist Ilkka HanskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Upi SorvaliFind albums by this artist. On this live radio broadcast they also included saxophonist / flautist Sakari KukkoFind albums by this artist. The band recorded their sole album "AhmooFind albums with this title" almost a year after this session. They perform five original compositions, two of which would appear later on their album in a studio version. Four of the compositions were composed by Poutanen and one by Kukko. Although Fusion oriented and played on electric instruments, the music includes many freely improvised passages and sounds mostly quite Avant-Garde. Keyboardist / composer / bandleader Jukka Linkola is one of the central figures on the Finnish music scene to this day, with extensive involvement both in Jazz and Classical Music. He has a substantial recorded legacy, always of the highest quality. The Jukka Linkola OctetFind albums by this artist, which he led between mid 1970s and early 1990s, was just one of many ensembles under his leadership and throughout his career he always had empathy towards large ensembles, orchestras and Big Bands. The octet recorded three excellent albums: "ProtofunkFind albums with this title", "Lady In GreenFind albums with this title" and "Scat SuiteFind albums with this title", all worth investigating. On this live broadcast session the octet includes also trumpeter Esko HeikkinenFind albums by this artist, trombonist Tom BildoFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Pentti LahtiFind albums by this artist and Teemu SalminenFind albums by this artist, bassists Ilkka Hanski, drummer Jukkis UotilaFind albums by this artist and percussionist Upi Sorvali. They perform four original compositions by Linkola and his arrangement of a traditional tune. The music floats between mainstream Jazz, Fusion and Funk and is highly melodic, offering an almost orchestral ambience and of course a lot of unadulterated fun! Overall this is some of the most staggering music created in Europe in the early to mid 1970s that one is able to hear and for European Jazz and Fusion connoisseurs this is an absolute must have! Side Note The Finnish independent label SvartFind albums on this label Records released an unprecedented series of albums called Pop Liisa and Jazz Liisa, which present priceless historical recordings of Finnish Rock, Progressive Rock, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Jazz music, recorded live and broadcasted from the Liisankatu Studios in Helsinki under the "Popstudio" and "Jazzstudio" monikers between 1972 and 1977. The studios were owned by the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), a public broadcasting service, which not only allowed the burgeoning Finnish music scene at the time to be exposed but also carefully archived the recordings for future generations. All this incredible music was previously unissued and collectively is probably the most important document of Finnish music from that period ever assembled. The music was released on 36 LPs (Pop Liisa Vol. 01 to Vol. 18 and Jazz Liisa Vol. 01 to Vol. 18) and on 18 CDs with every two consecutive volumes combined on one CD. The sound quality is absolutely superb, often better than the sound quality on the LPs released by these artists at the time. Many of the groups appearing on these albums never managed to record an album and these recordings are the only recorded legacy in existence of their activity. The released are accompanied by well researched and intelligent liner notes. This archival project is an outstanding example of how Cultural Legacy should be treated as well as of exemplary dedication to record producing professionalism.

Updated: 27/08/2020Posted: 04/06/2020

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