Record Reviews

EERO KOIVISTOINEN WITH FRIENDS ~ JAPPA SVART 373 (Barcode: 6430077093812) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2021 This is a sensational reissue of the one of the modern Finnish Jazz most obscure and sought after recordings, a series of four EPs released originally in 1967/68 by the Jazz Society formed by the students of the Helsinki Polytechnic (now Helsinki University of Technology), who were avid Jazz fans and some of the students were also Jazz musicians. The album presents all the nineteen tracks, that appeared collectively on these EPs, recorded by different lineups, which featured the absolute crème de la crème of the young generation of Finnish modern Jazz players. EP 1 presents the earliest recording by saxophonist Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist, which also includes bassist Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist and drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist with a percussionist on one track and a couple of cellist on another. They perform three original compositions by Koivistoinen and the music is an example of early Finnish Free Jazz. It precedes the recording of Koivistoinen’s debut album “ValtakuntaFind albums with this title”. EP 2 presents two original compositions by pianist Pentti HietanenFind albums by this artist, recorded by a septet, which also included trumpeter Kaj BacklundFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ilkka KrumoFind albums by this artist, Stanley LindroosFind albums by this artist and Paroni PaakkunainenFind albums by this artist, bassist Teppo Hauta-AhoFind albums by this artist and drummer Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist. Both are wonderful example of modern European Jazz with some Free oriented soloing by the participants and superb ensemble work by the septet. EP 3 presents three tracks, one by saxophonist Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist and two by Koivistoinen. The first is performed by Poyry with pianist Eero OjanenFind albums by this artist, Hauta-Aho and Rosnell. The second is performed by a trio with Koivistoinen, Sarmanto and drummer Reino LaineFind albums by this artist. The third is performed by a quintet with Koivistoinen, Poyry, Ojanen, Sarmanto and Laine. Again, the music is wonderful modern Jazz, brilliantly performed by all the participants. EP 4 presents eleven short tracks documenting an Art Happening, mostly performed by the Finnish “underground” artist Tommi ParkoFind albums by this artist, who sings and plays a plethora of instruments. He appears solo on the first seven tracks and then is joined by other instrumentalists, including Jazz trumpeter Mike KoskinenFind albums by this artist. These tracks, although only marginally associated with Jazz, reflect the open-mindedness and diversity of the late 1960s. Overall this is a superb effort by SvartFind albums on this label Records, which returns to life some great music, which deserves to be available for both old and young Finnish Jazz fans.

Updated: 26/06/2021Posted: 26/06/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

OTON KVARTETTI / WASAMA–TUOMINEN / HIETANEN & HAUTA-AHO / WASAMA QUART ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 07 & VOL. 08 SVART 030 (Barcode: 6430050667252) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Soul Fusion Recorded: 1973 - 1976 Released: 2016 The "Popstudio" / "Jazzstudio" broadcasts were usually dedicated to one band / artists, 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. Oton KvartettiFind albums by this artist, led by violinist Otto-Tapio NevanlinnaFind albums by this artist, included also pianist Jukka LinkolaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jorma KoivulehtoFind albums by this artist and drummer Heikki TimonenFind albums by this artist, was a short lived group of young classically trained musicians who moved into Jazz and offered a wonderfully lyrical, but completely open music. They perform only one original composition by Linkola, which lasts for over twenty minutes and offers extensive soloing, and which progressively intensifies as the music continues, climaxing with a passionate group improvisation. Wasama - Tuominen TrioFind albums by this artist consisted of saxophonist Tapio TuominenFind albums by this artist and brothers Olli-Pekka WasamaFind albums by this artist on bass and Jukka WasamaFind albums by this artist on drums. The trio played passionate Free Jazz, based on the powerful lead statements by Tuominen and intense rhythm section support by the Wasama brothers. They perform two original compositions, one credited to the trio members and the other to Jukka Wasama. Influenced by the European / British Free Jazz flourishing at the time, the trio was a superb example of the Finnish Free Jazz / Improvising Music scene, which had many excellent representatives at the time. By the time the duo of pianist Pentti HietanenFind albums by this artist and bassist Teppo Hauta-AhoFind albums by this artist took part in this live radio broadcast they were both already established musicians, who started their careers a decade earlier. The music is classic mainstream Jazz, and the duo performs three original compositions, all by Hietanen, which are all about the wonderful interplay between them and showcase the virtuosic bass playing by Hauta-Aho. The Wasama brothers added violinist / pianist Mikko-Ville Luolayan-MikkolaFind albums by this artist and guitarist Ilkka NiemelainenFind albums by this artist to form the Wasama QuartetFind albums by this artist, who played a mixture of modern Jazz and World Music elements, with a lot of space for improvisation. They perform three pieces, two original compositions by Niemelainen and their interpretation of the famous Jim PepperFind albums by this artist composition "Witchi Tai To" which was covered extensively. The quartet recorded two studio albums several years after their appearance on this live radio broadcast. 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 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: 15/06/2020Posted: 06/06/2020

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CHRISTIAN SCHWINDT QUINTET ~ FOR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ROCKET 068 (Barcode: 6417138607669) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1963 - 1965 Released: 2011 This is a reissue of the seminal album by Finnish drummer / composer / bandleader Christian SchwindtFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of modern Finnish Jazz. This album is considered as the second modern Jazz release in Finland, preceded only by the Esa PethmanFind albums by this artist album "The Modern Sound Of FinlandFind albums with this title", which was recorded in late 1964 / early 1965, whereas this album was recorded in November 1965. Collectors interested in more fine details should check out the phenomenal and pioneering Finnish Jazz Discography by Hans WesterbergFind albums by this artist, published in 1977 or my publication on this subject from 1992, both published by the Finnish Jazz Federation. The original album presented seven original compositions, which were recorded in two separate sessions. Six compositions were recorded by a new lineup of the quintet that included trumpeter Otto DonnerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Erik DannholmFind albums by this artist, pianist Heikki SarmantoFind albums by this artist and bassist Tapani TamminenFind albums by this artist. The compositions were three each by Donner and Sarmanto. The seventh composition was recorded with the old lineup of the quintet that included pianist Pentti HietanenFind albums by this artist, who also composed the music, and bassist Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist. The expanded reissue adds three bonus tracks (two by Hietanen and one by Donner) recorded in late 1963 and early 1964 by the a.m. old lineup and saxophonist Tuomas KotovirtaFind albums by this artist instead of Dannholm. Sadly for such monumental reissue the research was extremely sloppy and the cover art is a reprint of the original, which includes several mistakes. The music is of course phenomenal, and reflects the birth of modern Finnish / European Jazz, which was exploding across the continent, finally breaking with the stale American tradition and searching for new ways of expression. It is fascinating to compare this music to the recordings made across Europe at this pivotal time and see the similarities that Jazz musicians in UK, Poland, Germany and other countries were creating at the time, exploring the wonderful Freedom and breaking all existing boundaries on the fly. In retrospect it is sad that this album is the only recorded legacy by Schwindt as a leader, but let us not forget that he co-founded of the LoveFind albums on this label Records label (with Donner and journalist Atte BlomFind albums by this artist) in 1966, which changed the Finnish music landscape dramatically. This album is an icon of modern European Jazz and although the music was recorded fifty-five years ago, it still sounds absolutely astounding and completely relevant. Sadly this reissue is now very hard to find and it’s a crime that this album is not available on the market for new generations to learn from!

Updated: 29/08/2020Posted: 29/08/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend