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

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HEIKKI SARMANTO ~ NEW HOPE JAZZ MASS JAZZAGGRESSION 736 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 2022 The wonderful world of reissues, which brings back to life, and sometimes even exposes for the first time, music recorded decades earlier has been my fascination for many years now, which often involves also writing liner notes for reissued albums. But among the thousands of reissued albums that have arrived on my desk, only very few discharge such a surge of emotions and memories as this one. “New Hope Jazz MassFind albums with this title” has been, since the day it was originally released in 1978, one of the absolute top Jazz recordings on my list, which I kept revisiting regularly, as well as using in my lectures and writings, as a prime example of the ingenuity of European Jazz, which managed to expand the idiom into a cross-genre amalgam of myriad of influences, joining the American Jazz tradition with the Millennium-long European music tradition. The concept of composing a Jazz Mass, which would be performed at a church, was of course a pretty revolutionary idea at the time, one that has been rarely returned to over the decades since. “Sacred Jazz” enjoyed some popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the works of Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and later John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, although the latter was more influenced by non-Christian religious traditions. The “New Hope Jazz Mass”, dedicated to Ellington and Coltrane, was premiered at the St. Peters Lutheran Church in NY on May 18, 1978 and had its Finnish premiere at the Temppeliaukio Church (known as Church of the Rock, a sensational architectural wonder) on September 7, 1978, which was recorded and originally released as a double LP on the FinlandiaFind albums on this label label that year. But the following day, September 8, 1978, there was another performance of the Mass, which was also recorded, and this album brings that recording to light for the first time. The music was performed by the Heikki SarmantoFind albums by this artist sextet, which included vocalist Maija HapuojaFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Paroni PaakkunainenFind albums by this artist and Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist, bassist Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist, drummer Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist and Heikki Sarmanto on piano. In addition, a vocal quartet, the Gregg Smith Vocal QuartetFind albums by this artist, and a large choir, the Long Island Symphonic Choral AssociationFind albums by this artist, performed the choir vocal parts. The Mass consists of twelve compositions, all by Heikki Sarmanto, with lyrics taken from liturgy and some written by Aina Swan CutlerFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live, and the remastered sound quality is absolutely flawless. The music, as already mentioned above, was absolutely revolutionary at the time, not only in its scope and complexity, but primarily in its bold expressionism, immaculate blend of American Gospel and Jazz traditions with European music structures, Finnish Folkloristic touches and European Jazz approach. Crowned by brilliant performances by all the performers, which clearly shows that “white man can jump”, despite the prejudice. Hapuoja’s wordless vocalese is some of the finest of its kind, and her angelic voice suits this music perfectly. The two saxophonist are brilliant improvisers. The rhythm section is absolutely impeccable and highly inspired, with Pekka Sarmanto’s (Heikki’s brother) bass pulsations providing the natural heartbeat to the music and Rosnell’s drumming keeping the time like a magic chronometer. Maestro Heikki Sarmanto’s piano playing is in charge of the harmonic unity, and the choir wraps everything with the Gospel elation. Perfection incarnate! Overall, this is an absolute classic European Jazz album, in every sense, and an iconic Finish Jazz recording, which deserves to be a part of every serious Jazz collection. For those blissfully ignorant as of its existence, now after reading my words you have absolutely no excuse but to get a copy. Thanks to the JazzaggressionFind albums on this label label for releasing this Holy Grail of an album and last but not least thank you my old, old Friend Heikki for your Friendship and all that wonderful, Genius music you contributed to the world over the years!

Updated: 25/11/2022Posted: 25/11/2022

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HEIKKI SARMANTO / JUHANI AALTONEN ~ JUST US JAZZAGGRESSION 753 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2025 This is an album by the duo comprising of two Godfathers of the Finnish Jazz scene, keyboardist / composer / bandleader Heikki SarmantoFind albums by this artist and flautist / composer / bandleader Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist. It presents eleven tracks, nine of which were composed by Sarmanto and two were co-composed by Sarmanto and Aaltonen. The music is absolutely gorgeous collection of highly melodic, melancholic and slowly developing tunes, exquisitely performed by these two brilliant musicians, who have over six decades of common music making behind them. Sarmanto uses the Roland D77 keyboard, which subtly imitates some human voice effects and ambient vistas, whereas Aaltonen plays acoustic flute, an instrument he is a complete Master of. The music, although pre-composed, offers a large degree of Freedom and improvisation, which of course is hardly surprising. In many respects the music offers a strong Nordic aesthetics and spirituality, of landscapes filled with forests, lakes and snowy mountains, sometime in late spring, when Nature is waking up and the dark winter is overtaken by new life. The serene atmosphere is overwhelmingly optimistic and the music sounds full of hope. It is obviously a dialog of friends, as the personal relationship between them is fully reflected by the music they manage to create with such harmony and mutual respect. A true example of the “Art of the Duo”, which often achieves the deepest form of expression in Jazz, despite its intrinsic intimacy. Overall, this is a true gift of love to me, from two musicians that I have been respecting and admiring for decades. It makes me happy to hear them so creatively active and energetic, always hoping to hear more from them. My frequent conversation with Heikki and our plans to work together, although constantly disturbed by world events, stand as firm as always and I am eagerly waiting for them to be realized. Love you guys! You are awesome, as the young generation say to express their admiration.

Updated: 05/04/2025Posted: 05/04/2025

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