Record Reviews

JOONAS HAAVISTO / KESTUTIS VAIGINIS ~ MOON BRIDGE EIGHT ISLANDS 8008 (Barcode: 4988044095830) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2024 This is an album by a duo comprising of Finnish Jazz pianist / composer Joonas HaavistoFind albums by this artist and Lithuanian Jazz saxophonist / composer Kestutis VaiginisFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, six are original compositions by the duo members (three each) and two are standards. The music is beautifully melodic, classic mainstream Jazz, based on the wonderful performing skills and conversational proximity of the musicians. The minimalist setting allows for each musician to show both his improvisation skills and the ability to hold a tune, and of course their mutual telepathic interplay. The original compositions are wonderfully coherent and melodically touching, avoiding triviality and artificial beatification and displaying heartfelt musical aesthetics. The result is a superb example of the “Art of the Duo” format, which offers a most rewarding listening experience. In these difficult times, where noise and cacophony seem to be ruling the music world, such delicate, sophisticated, relaxed music is a true honey to the ears. Despite its outward “simplicity”, the music is truly penetrating and engaging, both on the compositional and performance levels. Overall, this is a wonderful example of the Jazz duo format, a wonderful collection of excellent tunes and delicate, but deeply touching Jazz performances, which can win over every Jazz lover on this planet without a hitch. The superb sound quality of the recording adds to the overall joy of listening to this music. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 10/04/2024Posted: 10/04/2024

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MARTTI VESALA SOUNDPOST QUINTET ~ LANDMARKS OZELLA 102 (Barcode: 4038952001024) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 This is the third album by Finnish Jazz trumpeter / composer Martti VesalaFind albums by this artist and his Soundpost QuintetFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonist Petri PoulitaivalFind albums by this artist, pianist Joonas HaavistoFind albums by this artist, bassist Juho KivivuoriFind albums by this artist and drummer Ville PynssiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music is pretty standard mainstream Jazz, based on solid melodic themes, that serve as basis for extensive improvisations by the quintet members. There is very little, if any, Nordic influence and stylistically the music is mostly post-Bebop oriented, with strong ties to American Jazz tradition and quite distant from the contemporary European Jazz and the Finnish Jazz tradition, which tends to be more adventurous and idiosyncratic. Having said that, this is still a first class Jazz album for listeners who like a more conventional and traditional approach. These relatively young musicians are all highly professional and well educated, and can plays as good as any musician from across the pond. There are plenty of fiery soli by the three soloists and the rhythm section is fluid and stable, supporting the music amicably. Overall, this is a fine Jazz album, played by gifted musicians and full of energy and spunk, suitable mostly for mainstream Jazz enthusiasts, who should enjoy this music immensely. Listeners looking for the typical Finnish Jazz aesthetic could be disappointed.

Updated: 09/08/2022Posted: 09/08/2022

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