Record Reviews

AALTONEN, HELASVUO, HAUTA-AHO, VESALA / EDWARD VESALA ENSEMBLE ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 17 & VOL. 18 SVART 100 (Barcode: 6430065583516) ~ FINLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2018 The two "Jazzstudio" broadcasts compiled on this CD focus on the iconic figure of drummer / composer / bandleader and Godfather of modern Finnish Jazz, Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist, who is probably the most famous Finnish Jazz musician outside of his native country. Born in 1945, Vesala was active on the local Jazz scene since the late 1960s and until his tragically premature death in 1999 at the ridiculous young age of 54. His premiere recording was the little known album "NykysuomalaistaFind albums with this title" (Contemporary Finnish) from 1969 and the full debut "NanaFind albums with this title" came a year later. In 1972 he took part in his first ECMFind albums on this label album, the Jan Garbarek´s "TriptykonFind albums with this title" and soon after recorded his debut album for the label "Nan MadolFind albums with this title". He recorded five more albums for ECM and also participated on albums by Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist. On the whole he left an impressive recorded legacy, including releases on his own LeoFind albums on this label Records. The first session presents the Edward Vesala trio, with bassist Teppo Hauta-AhoFind albums by this artist and pianist Esa HelasvuoFind albums by this artist on one track composed by him and then with saxophonist Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist (who replaces Helasvuo) on two tracks, both composed by Vesala. Whereas the first track is still pretty conventional, the two other tracks are mostly freely improvised and explode with energy and spontaneous exploration as appropriate for Avant-garde at its best. The second session presents the Edward Vesala EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a collection of top Finnish Jazz improvisers at the time: trumpeter Simo SalminenFind albums by this artist, trombonist Mircea StanFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Juhani Aaltonen, Paroni PaakkunainenFind albums by this artist and Pentti LahtiFind albums by this artist, bassist Teppo Hauta-Aho, electric bassist Make LievonenFind albums by this artist and Antero HonkanenFind albums by this artist who added some electronic effects on one track. This lineup is very similar to the lineup that recorded the a.m. ECM debut a few months after this session was recorded. They play three stacks, all by Vesala, all of which were later recorded for that album. In addition a short interview with Vesala in also present, in Finnish of course, which makes it sadly accessible only to Finnish speaking audience. (A transcript in English would have been most welcome). The music is spectacular and breathtaking, a true Avant-garde masterpiece combining composed and group-improvised parts, mystic Nordic moods and brilliant performances by these excellent musicians. These versions of the material are quite different from the recorded versions, which makes this session especially valuable. These two sessions are some of the most important documents of Finnish Jazz and are definitely among the strongest releases in the entire Jazz Liisa series. 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: 28/06/2020Posted: 19/06/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

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

MIKE KOSKINEN ORCHESTRA / OTTO DONNER TREATMENT ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 09 & VOL. 10 SVART 033 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2016 Trumpeter / composer / bandleader Mike KoskinenFind albums by this artist was one of the most prominent figures on the Finnish Jazz scene in the early to mid 1970s, involved in a wide rage of stylistic explorations, from Free Jazz to more conventional post Bebop. He was one of the first Finnish Jazz musicians to study at the Berklee College of Music. He released his debut album "SunwebsFind albums with this title" on 1976 and moved to the US a year later. This live radio broadcast presents Koskinen leading two ensembles, an octet and a big orchestra, which include the crème de la crème of the Finnish Jazz scene at the time: trombonists Mircea StanFind albums by this artist, Petri JuutilainenFind albums by this artist and Raimo NaatanenFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Kaj BacklundFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist, Paroni PaakkunainenFind albums by this artist, Pentti LahtiFind albums by this artist, Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist and Teemu SalminenFind albums by this artist, pianist Olli AhvenlahtiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Otto BergerFind albums by this artist, bassists Teppo Hauta-AhoFind albums by this artist and Heikki VirtanenFind albums by this artist, drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ari ValtonenFind albums by this artist. They perform five compositions (three by the octet and two by the orchestra) four of which are original compositions by Koskinen and one is an arrangement of a Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist tune. The music portrays the diversity of Koskinen musical interests, with almost straightforward Jazz pieces and Free / Improvised orchestral experimentations, which are the more challenging and in retrospect interesting. Composer / arranger / bandleader / trumpeter Otto DonnerFind albums by this artist is one of the Godfathers of Finnish Jazz and one of the greatest European Jazz composers. His ensemble Otto Donner TreatmentFind albums by this artist changed lineups according to specific project requirements and the large orchestral lineup caught on this live radio broadcast is sadly not fully known, but includes trumpeter Markku JohanssonFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Christer BoustedFind albums by this artist, Juhani Aaltonen (who also plays flute) and Paroni Paakkunainen, pianist Esko LinnavalliFind albums by this artist and others. They perform four original compositions by Donner, which feature Bousted and Aaltonen as the primary soloists. The music is absolutely delightful and reflects Donner´s talents as composer and arranger, as well as the incredible level of musicianship by his band members. As everything else recorded by Donner, this is a first class musical gem. 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: 08/06/2020Posted: 08/06/2020

CD 1 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

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

YLE EXPERIMENTAL STUDIO ~ ODE TO MARILYN SVART 130 (Barcode: 6430065584506) ~ FINLAND ~ Avant-Garde Electronic Recorded: 1973 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of one of the rarest and most important Finnish Jazz / Electronic Music / Avant-Garde albums from the early 1970s. The album was recorded under the auspices of the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company) Experimental Studio by a group of Finnish musicians led by trumpeter Jarmo SermilaFind albums by this artist, which also included flautist Mikael HelasvuoFind albums by this artist, bassist Teppo Hauta-AhoFind albums by this artist, drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist and electronic music composer Antero HonkanenFind albums by this artist. Soprano singer Pirkkolisa TikkaFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents eight original compositions, three composed by Honkanen, two each by Sermila and Vesala and one by Hauta-Aho. The album’s title originates from the poem by Marilyn MonroeFind albums by this artist “A Doll’s Cry”, which lyrics sung by Tikka appear on one of the tracks. The music is a wonderful amalgam of contemporary Avant-Garde, Electronic Music and Jazz improvisation and remains completely original and unique today, almost half a Century later. The fact that such audacious music was recorded in Finland at the time is a testimony to the incredible musical Renaissance of Finnish music in the late 1960s / early 1970s, which produced an immense amount of fresh, inventive and challenging music at the time. This long overdue reissue (kudos to SvartFind albums on this label Records) is a wonderful opportunity for this music to be discovered by young generations of music lovers, as well as an important document of the era. For lovers of experimental music this album is an absolute classic and should not be missed!

Updated: 17/02/2021Posted: 17/02/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend