Record Reviews

EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ THE FRONT IS BREAKING LOVE 188 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Apart from Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist, Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist is probably the most well known Finnish jazz musician outside of his native country, due to his US residency and numerous recordings around the world. Deeply influenced by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, he started his jazz adventure playing free jazz in cahoots with Edward Vesala and Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist as early as 1964 (which was about the time European free jazz was developing fiercely). Later on he moved away from free jazz and concentrated more on structured and carefully composed music. By the time this album was recorded, the jazz world was deeply involved in the Jazz-Rock Fusion explosion, following Miles DavisFind albums by this artist’ pioneering work in the field and later on groups like John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist’s Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Inspired by these developments, Koivistoinen decided to record a fusion album, for which he composed the music. The carefully assembled a dreamy combo to record the music, in which he gathered the best Scandinavian musicians from both the jazz and Progressive Rock genres, including Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist (drums) and Olli AhvenlahtiFind albums by this artist (piano) – Finland / jazz, Jukka TolonenFind albums by this artist (guitar – Tasavallan PresidenttiFind albums by this artist) and Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist (bass – WigwamFind albums by this artist) – Finland / Prog and Wlodek GulkowskiFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist (guitar – Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist) - Sweden (well Gulkowski was a Polish refugee) / Fusion. The result is surely one of the best, most sophisticated and musically uplifting fusion albums ever recorded and an absolute must for any fan of the genre. This was to be the only fusion album Koivistoinen would record, as he returned to “pure” jazz soon after.

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

PEKKA POHJOLA ~ THE MATHEMATICIAN`S AIR DISPLAY ESOTERIC 2177 (Barcode: 5013929727724) ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010 3rd album by Finnish bassist / composer Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Prog musicians of all times, who was a founding member of the legendary Finnish Prog band WigwamFind albums by this artist. Accompanied by the top European Jazz and Prog players of the time: Swedish guitarist Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist, Polish keyboardist Wlodek GulkowskiFind albums by this artist, French drummer Pierre MoerlenFind albums by this artist, Finnish drummer Vesa AaltonenFind albums by this artist and of course British guitarist Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and his sister singer Sally OldfieldFind albums by this artist, the band performs music composed by Pohjola, which stylistically moves between Prog and Jazz-Rock Fusion. Pohjola´s extraordinary talent, both as a bassist and especially as a composer, were already magnificent at the time and would accompany him throughout his entire life, resulting in magnificent achievements, cut short only by his premature and tragic death in 2008. In retrospect this early effort is a milestone for European Prog and firmly establishes the superb Finnish contribution to the genre. This album was one of the very few Finnish albums to be released also in UK (on the VirginFind albums on this label label), shortly after it was released in his home country on the legendary LoveFind albums on this label label. Absolutely essential!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend