Record Reviews

ALWARI TUOHITORVI / KIRKA & ISLANDERS ~ POP LIISA VOL. 11 & VOL. 12 SVART 018 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Soul Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2016 The Finnish group Alwari TuohitorviFind albums by this artist, formed in 1968, went through a major personnel change in 1972 and the new lineup stabilized with lead guitarist Seppo AlajokiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jukka RautiainenFind albums by this artist and bassist Mika SundqvistFind albums by this artist, all three sharing vocal duties, and drummer Raimo PikanenFind albums by this artist. When their live radio broadcast was captured they were already working on their eponymous debut album, which was released a while later, but none of the songs on that album were featured on the radio show, which presented nine songs covering some of their Prog era material, like the covers of songs by Wishbone AshFind albums by this artist and Beggars OperaFind albums by this artist and other Classic Rock items, as well as one original song by Alajoki. The material clearly marked their musical shift towards conventional Rock, following the general trend on the local Finnish scene, which after the first Progressive Rock wave was over became almost completely Rock dominated. Vocalist KirkaFind albums by this artist (a. k. a. Kirka BabitzinFind albums by this artist) was a successful Finnish artist with a career spanning six decades. He changed styles over the years moving within the Pop and Rock idioms and recorded over sixty albums until his death in 2007. His appearance on the live radio broadcast catches him with his band The IslandersFind albums by this artist, a superb Soul-Rock outfit, expanded to a ten-piece smoking Brass Rock, which included Romanian (resident in Finland) trombonist Mircea StanFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Pentti LahtiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Kassu HalonenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Esko VesterinenFind albums by this artist, bassist Matti TyniFind albums by this artist and drummer Juoni KestiFind albums by this artist, strengthened by three top Finnish Jazz musicians trumpeter Mike KoskinenFind albums by this artist and saxophonists Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist and Tapio TuominenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eight songs, three covers by Pop / Soul / Blues songs (BeatlesFind albums by this artist, Otis ReddingFind albums by this artist, Edgar Winter BandFind albums by this artist) and five excellent original songs, two each by Stan and Halonen and one traditional Blues arranged by Stan. Kirka´s superb voice and the spectacular band create some outstanding Jazz-Rock-Soul Fusion somewhat resembling the divine Joe CockerFind albums by this artist and his Mad Dogs & EnglishmenFind albums by this artist band with a slightly more Jazz feel.. The strength of this material and the performances turn this music into an instant classic, regardless of the Finnish lyrics, which don´t spoil the fun one bit. It is an absolute unadulterated fun from start to finish! 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 Fusion and Jazz oriented Prog-heads 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: 29/05/2020Posted: 09/05/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MATTI JARVINEN / CASCADE / MIKE WESTHUES BAND / FYYRALYYRA ~ POP LIISA VOL. 13 & VOL. 14 SVART 085 (Barcode: 6430065583080) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1976 - 1977 Released: 2017 The "Popstudio" / "Jazzstudio" broadcasts were usually dedicated to one band / artist, but in some cases two acts were combined into one show, which allowed each of them just about twenty minutes to perform, as is the case on these two sessions. Guitarist / composer Matti JarvinenFind albums by this artist appeared on the Finnish scene for a brief period, which allowed him to record just one album called "Martin LevyFind albums with this title" and a few concerts, before he decided to leave the music business completely and disappeared into oblivion. This live broadcast is the only glimpse in existence of his concert activities. He is supported by keyboardist Kari KuusamoFind albums by this artist, bassist Harri MerilahtiFind albums by this artist and drummer Upi SorvaliFind albums by this artist. Together they perform four original songs, all by Jarvinen, which originate from the a.m. album. Musically this material is Prog oriented and offers highly melodic compositions based on interesting Rock riffs. These live versions feature impressive guitar and keyboards soloing. The group CascadeFind albums by this artist, fronted by the double female vocal line of Ami EspelundFind albums by this artist and Marjo-Riitta KervinenFind albums by this artist included also keyboardist Kari Kuusamo, guitarist Pekka LeminenFind albums by this artist, bassist Renne AngelvuoFind albums by this artist and drummer Heikki LyttinenFind albums by this artist. They perform four covers of Pop songs (three of which are by Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist), nicely arranged with a slight Jazzy feel. It is the most Pop oriented material in the entire Pop Liisa series. American singer / songwriter Mike WesthuesFind albums by this artist lived in Finland twice for relatively short periods, during which he managed to record four albums as a leader. This live broadcast finds him performing five songs from the two albums he recorded for LoveFind albums on this label Records, all written by him. He is supported by pianist Heikki HiekkalaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dave LindholmFind albums by this artist, bassist Make LievonenFind albums by this artist, and drummer Urpo LeppanenFind albums by this artist. Tiitta SpoutFind albums by this artist sings backing vocals. The music is pretty straightforward American Country Rock, but is excellently executed, being no less exciting than the same kind of music was played across the pond. FyyralyyraFind albums by this artist is by far the most interesting group in this collection, a Jazz-World Fusion quintet fronted by two multi-instrumentalists Jouni KoskimakiFind albums by this artist and Hannu LehtorantaFind albums by this artist, who among the two of them played a plethora of string and wind instruments, guitarist Arto KakkoFind albums by this artist, bassist Hannu TahtelaFind albums by this artist and drummer Juoni KestiFind albums by this artist. Just before this live broadcast was captured they recorded their eponymous debut album, which sadly turned out to be their sole recorded output. They perform four pieces, two composed by Lehtoranta and two folk tunes (one Irish and one Finnish) arranged by Lehtoranta and Koskimaki. They are often compared to the legendary Finnish group PiirpaukeFind albums by this artist, who pioneered the local Jazz-World Fusion idiom. 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 Fusion and Jazz oriented Prog-heads 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: 15/05/2020Posted: 13/05/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend