Record Reviews

TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI ~ LIVE IN LAMBERTLAND SVART 387 (Barcode: 6430065588559) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1972 Released: 2019 This is an archival album by the seminal Finnish Jazz-Rock Fusion / Progressive Rock group Tasavallan PresidenttiFind albums by this artist (Eng. President of the Republic). This material was recorded live on three separate occasions in the summer of 1972, after the album "LambertlandFind albums with this title" was recorded in the studio in the spring of that year, and offers mostly renditions of the material from that album except for one composition originating from the debut alum by the guitarist (see below). The recordings were done by the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), which similarly to the BBC has bottomless archives of absolutely sensational material recorded over the years, which offers an amazing opportunity to hear past treasures, usually captured with a superb sound quality. All the material on this 2CD album was previously unissued. The group was founded in 1969 by two ex-members of the group Blues SectionFind albums by this artist: bassist / keyboardist Mans GroundstroemFind albums by this artist and British vocalist Frank RobsonFind albums by this artist and two members of HelpFind albums by this artist (led by vocalist Eero RaittinenFind albums by this artist): drummer Vesa AaltonenFind albums by this artist and guitarist Jukka TolonenFind albums by this artist and finally a seasoned saxophonist / flautist Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist, Vesa´s brother, who was a member of SoulsetFind albums by this artist. The group recorded their debut album the same year, which was one of the earliest releases on the absolutely legendary Finnish LoveFind albums on this label Records (catalog number LRLP 7), the home of the dazzling Finish music of the late 1960s and 1970s, which released an astonishing catalog of almost 400 LPs. By the time this material was recorded Juhani Aaltonen left to be replaced by another superb saxophone / flute player Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist and so did Frank Robson, who was replaced by Eero Raittinen (see above). Tolonen, who started to develop a successful solo career and released his debut album "Tolonen!Find albums with this title" in 1971 (on SonetFind albums on this label), became the group´s resident composer and wrote almost all the music on the "Lambertland" album, except for one piece, which was composed by Poyry. The lyrics were written by bassist Mats HuldenFind albums by this artist, founding member of WigwamFind albums by this artist, "the other" seminal Finnish Prog supergroup at the time. The music, as usual with live recordings, offers much more expanded versions of the studio material, which feature long and complex instrumental improvisations, and as a result bring this music closer to the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom than the original album´s Progressive Rock ambience. The strong Jazzy influence is more obvious and allows Tolonen and Poyry to produce plenty of bloodcurdling soloing, superbly supported by the rhythm section and even the vocal parts feature some wordless vocalese. Overall this music is a splendid example what this group was capable off at their absolute best. For lovers of early European Jazz-Rock Fusion and Progressive Rock this is an absolute gem and a must in any serious music collection of that period. Thanks to the great Finnish SvartFind albums on this label Records for their fantastic job of keeping the Finnish musical legacy alive.

Updated: 24/04/2020Posted: 24/04/2020

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