Record Reviews
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  | KAIRA ~ URBAN SAGAS OF NORTHERN CITIES SVART 067 (Barcode: 6430050668792) ~ FINLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017
This is the debut album by Finnish Jazz sextet KairaFind albums by this artist, which consists of keyboardist Markus NiittynenFind albums by this artist, drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist, bassist Sampo TiittanenFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist and vocalists Nina MyaFind albums by this artist and Sam HuberFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original songs written mostly by composer Lauri KairaFind albums by this artist, who put the band together, and Niittynen with lyrics (in English) by Emma LarssonFind albums by this artist and Lasse KurkiFind albums by this artist.
The music is a nice and easy version of Smooth Jazz, with great melodies and perfect execution, copying the American model note by note and trick by trick. Mya has a soulful voice and Huber sings / raps no less soulfully and the rest of the band members are all excellent professionals.
Although not really my cup of tea, one has to admit that this album ticks like Swiss clockwork and pulls all the right strings on the emotional scale, and if one has to listen to this kind of music, this is something I can wholehearted recommend. At least it has melody, harmony and musical sense in comparison to what passes as music these days.
In short if you like Soul / Pop / Jazz music with lush melodies, this is something you should not miss!
| Updated: 21/08/2020Posted: 21/08/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ DIVERSITY SVART 336 (Barcode: 6430050661618) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022
This is the third album by Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded with his current quartet, which offers a steady lineup for the last decade and includes the outstanding pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader.
The music offers a wide range of contemporary modern Jazz, mostly within the mainstream idiom, but brilliantly showcasing the diversity (as the title suggests) of the genre. The elaborately melodic base, which characterizes Koivistoinen’s career now entering its seventh decade, is always beautifully crafted and offers an ideal vehicle for the quartet members to improvise and express their inventiveness and virtuosity.
Completely in disregard of his age, Koivistoinen still displays strong, vigorous saxophone parts, which easily match the energy and vitality of the younger members of the quartet. Tuomarila is by now an established musical figure on the international scene and his piano playing sparkles with elegance and sophistication. The rhythm section is superbly synchronized with the two soloists and for the entire duration offers a perfect support, as well as impressive solo inserts.
Koivistoinen, who is one of the founding Fathers of Finnish Jazz, manages to stay prolifically active, relevant and still mostly unmatched on the local scene, which of course is an absolutely remarkable phenomenon in every respect. His recorded legacy to date is a wonderful example of the best in European Jazz, which although strongly rooted in American Jazz tradition, successfully integrates European ingredients, creating a perfect hybrid.
Overall, this is another masterpiece in the extensive collective work by Koivistoinen as composer, player and bandleader, which is a living proof of the ingenuity of our generation, proudly serving as an example to the future music makers. Thank you for this wonderful music, my Friend!
| Updated: 21/12/2022Posted: 21/12/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ HATI HATI SVART 352 (Barcode: 6430050663032) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014
This is the debut album by a quartet led by Finnish Jazz Giant, saxophonist / composer Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist with three representatives of the younger generation of the Finnish Jazz scene: pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tunes, seven of which are original compositions by Koivistoinen and one is an arrangement of a Bob DylanFind albums by this artist song.
During a career that lasts for over five decades Koivistoinen amassed an incredible legacy of music. As one of the founding Fathers of Finnish Jazz he continuously performed, recorded, led ensembles, and toured both locally and internationally, in short was and still is "Mr. Jazz" in the best and most accurate meaning of the term. He always combined the two most vital qualities essential for a great Jazz musician: a superb and very personal technique and a very personal, instantly recognizable compositional skill. Consistently and marvelously Koivistoinen established his position as one of the leading world-class post-Coltrane saxophonists over the years, and his playing lost absolutely nothing of its fluency, vitality and most importantly that incredible "coolness" which makes him stand apart from most other players.
This album is a superb example of melodic Modern Jazz, which flows gently from one tune to the next completely naturally and coherently. Koivistoinen´s compositions are all absolute gems, each and every one of them immediately deserving a status of a standard. Since the very early days he always managed to amaze me time after time with the gorgeousness of his tunes and the ones present here are no exception. Of course great tunes are basis of everything in Jazz, which this album demonstrates repeatedly.
The saxophone performances are also stunning and stellar, with a wonderful natural flow and lucidity. Even when the improvisations become complex and dense, they sound absolutely melodic and crystal clear. Careful listening reveals the entire Jazz tradition, which Koivistoinen´s playing is based on, and yet he remains completely original and always full of imagination. It is not surprising that for me Koivistoinen is one of the absolute top active world saxophone players and hopefully this will continue to be the case in years to come. The fact that Koivistoinen is first and foremost Finnish and European, which forged his musical personality and allowed it not to be overwhelmed by the American Jazz tradition, creating a wonderful amalgam of European elegance and taste with the original American spirit of the idiom.
Over the years Finland continuously produces wave after wave of extremely talented and creative musicians, including those active on the Jazz scene. Therefore it is not surprising that the younger players on this album are all masters of their trade. Tuomarila, who is naturally given a greater exposure, is an absolutely wonderful pianist, with exceptional sense of melody and fluidity, which turns his solos into micro masterpieces. Huhtala supports the music solidly and with a great sense of harmony. Lehtonen takes a very conservative approach trying to be as much respectfully unobtrusive as possible, which in case of this rather soft and delicate music is the best approach.
Overall this is a stunningly beautiful album, full of exquisite music and stellar performances, as always in the case of anything Koivistoinen is involved with. His many fans will find this album a worthy continuation of his splendid legacy and those who are not familiar with the Master, will perhaps be caught in the net of his magic notes. Thank you Eero for making this great music, which is able to make us smile again!
| Updated: 19/12/2022Posted: 25/11/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ILLUSION SVART 124 (Barcode: 6430065582939) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 - 2015 Released: 2017
This is the second album by a quartet led by Finnish Jazz Giant, saxophonist / composer Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist with three representatives of the younger generation of the Finnish Jazz scene: pianist Alexi TuomarilaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tunes, six of which are original compositions by Koivistoinen and one is a standard, which originates from an earlier recording session from 2012 that produced the debut album "Hati HatiFind albums with this title". The six new recordings were the last ones recorded at the legendary M1 Studio of the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company) which witnessed numerous Jazz albums being recorded there during its existence.
The music, as expected, is a wonderful collection of sublimely melodic tunes, which Koivistoinen manages to weave times and time again with his usual natural heartfelt elegance. As a composer Koivistoinen is absolutely untouched by the tides of time and his compositions are as vigorous, full of joy, energy and harmony as they were through his entire career.
The quartet performs also every bit as expected, with Koivistoinen saxophone soaring over the background supplied by the rhythm section, in a typical barrage of notes which characterizes the Modern Jazz post-Coltrane school, which he always represented faithfully. Tuomarila displays his incredible fluency and technique, which spark the quartet´s overall sound significantly. Huhtala and Lehtonen solidly provide the rhythmic pulsations and since this album features more up-tempo numbers that the debut, they are heard much more prominently. Overall this quartet´s performances are the epitome of what modern mainstream Jazz is all about – great tunes perfectly executed by talented and highly professional musicians, who have to ability to state something personal and original rather than imitating the past.
For mainstream Jazz lovers this album is an instant classic, which should satisfy even the most experienced connoisseurs. Just grab a copy ASAP and enjoy – satisfaction guaranteed!
| Updated: 19/12/2022Posted: 28/11/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JUSSI LEHTONEN ~ MOVE ON SVART 125 (Barcode: 6430065582786) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is the third album by Finnish drummer / composer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist, guitarist Teemu ViinikainenFind albums by this artist, pianist Aki RissanenFind albums by this artist and bassist Jori HuhtalaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Lehtonen.
The music is all straightforward modern mainstream Jazz, completely within the Jazz convention. The compositions are all well weaved and offer nice melody lines, but tender little intellectual challenge as such and create a déjà vu impression.
All the players are excellent performers, who can carry a tune and improvise elegantly, without a hitch. But altogether there is nothing here that any Jazz listener anywhere in the world has not heard before and the entire album lacks the ability to cross beyond the ordinary. Personally for me only the guitar work by Viinikainen offers somewhat more glimmer than the rest of the stuff presented here.
Having said all that, this is a perfectly composed and performed Jazz album, which should make many Jazz enthusiasts completely happy. It is simply a bit too much American and too little Finnish for my liking.
| Updated: 14/08/2020Posted: 14/08/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROYHKA / PYYSALO / MAARIT ~ TURMION SUURHERTTUA SVART 084 (Barcode: 6430050669867) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is a wonderful album by Finnish Rock vocalist / songwriter / author Kauko RoyhkaFind albums by this artist, recorded with Jazz vibraphonist / composer Severi PyysaloFind albums by this artist and a great band that comprises of drummer Jussi LehtonenFind albums by this artist, bassist Juho KivivuoriFind albums by this artist, guitarist Varre VartiainenFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jukka EskolaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist and trombonist Heikki TuhkanenFind albums by this artist. The superb singer MaaritFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Maarit HurmerintaFind albums by this artist) appears on selected tracks. The album presents ten original songs, all composed and arranged by Pyysalo with lyrics by Royhka.
Royhka enjoys a highly successful career in Rock since early 1980s, with a long list of albums under his arm, and in parallel a career as author with several books over time. He is especially revered for his strong, often provocative lyrics, which can easily be categorized as sung poetry.
The decision to record this album, which crosses boldly into the Jazz idiom, turns out to be extremely creative, and these ten songs are all masterpieces of composition and arrangement, and combined with Royhka´s idiosyncratic voice and theatric delivery, are absolutely brilliant. The music is spiced with some Jazz soloing, just enough to define the musical environment, but not dominating the proceedings.
This album brings fond memories of many similar projects that dominated the Finnish Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, and were abandoned later on, as the Jazz scene (and music scene in general) changed into less adventurous turf.
Overall this is a superb album, which offers brilliant music, masterly arranged and performed, which works perfectly even for people like myself, who do not speak Finnish. The delivery and the music are strong enough even without the textual layer. An absolute must for Jazz & Poetry lovers!
| Updated: 22/08/2020Posted: 22/08/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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