Record Reviews

OTTO DONNER / FREE FOR ALL ~ LIVE AT FIVE CORNERS TUM BOX 001 (Barcode: 6430015280243) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 - 2002 Released: 2011 This fabulous Box Set collects a series of live recordings by the Godfather of modern Finnish Jazz trumpeter / composer / arranger / conductor / bandleader and music activist Otto DonnerFind albums by this artist and a gathering of Finnish Jazz musicians of diverse ages and stylistic affiliations, called Free For AllFind albums by this artist, which took residence under Donner´s wings at the Jazz Club JUMO located in the Five Corners area of Helsinki, presenting a series of concerts during the first half of 2002, which were recorded and although initially not intended for release, proved to be way to valuable to be left forgotten, and were eventually released in this Box Set about a decade later. The lineup of the ensemble performing at each of the sessions included in this Box Set changed slightly and the recordings were organized into six CDs according to different unifying thematic concepts, rather than by session. The music includes new arrangements of compositions by Donner and other Finnish Jazz composers or members of the band as well as familiar Jazz standards. The sixth CD includes music and a film about improvisation, which documents Donner and the band, recorded and filmed in 2000. The musicians performing the music alongside Donner are: saxophonists Rasmus KorsstromFind albums by this artist and Pepa PaivinenFind albums by this artist, trombonists Jari HongistoFind albums by this artist and Markku VeijonsuoFind albums by this artist, pianists Kari IkonenFind albums by this artist, Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist and Eero OjanenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jukka OrmaFind albums by this artist, bassists Ville HuolmanFind albums by this artist and Tuure KoskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Tom NekljudovFind albums by this artist and finally vocalist Johanna IivanainenFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely stunning, even though performed rather informally and not meant to be saved for posterity. The musicians are all highly professional and the atmosphere of camaraderie and obvious mutual respect is a predominant factor which makes this music sound as great as it does. Stylistically the music spans a wide range from modern mainstream to well organized free explorations, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Orchestral Jazz, and the six hours of playing time are over in an instant. Donner´s immense talent, experience and leadership managed to produce a wonderful document of the strength and diversity of the Finnish Jazz scene at the time, which now is a part of the cultural heritage. The Box Set is beautifully packaged, using the paintings by Paul OsipowFind albums by this artist and including a highly informative booklet with detailed information about the music and the circumstances of its recording, a true example of a publishing labor of love and an example of how things should be done – hats off! For Finnish Jazz fans and followers this is an absolute must of course!

Updated: 03/09/2020Posted: 03/09/2020

CD+DVD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend

KARI IKONEN ~ IMPRESSIONS, IMPROVISATIONS AND COMPOSITIONS OZELLA 097 (Barcode: 4038952000973) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 This is a solo piano album by Finnish Jazz pianist / composer Kari IkonenFind albums by this artist, recorded using acoustic piano and a device developed by Ikonen, called Maqiano, which enables him to manipulate the piano scales and intervals in order to play music influenced by the Arabic maqam system. The album presents twelve relatively short original pieces, all by Ikonen. The music is wonderfully unique, not only due to the special tuning used on some of the pieces, but in the overall approach to composition and improvisation, creating a magical microcosm, which combines Western and Middle Eastern music traditions in a highly aesthetic and challenging manner. Although the album’s duration is relatively short, it offers a wealth of highly diverse music, which strangely fits together perfectly coherently, taking the listener for a charming introvert and highly enthralling musical journey. I am nor familiar with Ikonen’s other recordings, but this album certainly makes me want to hear more. Overall this is a beautiful, interesting and unusual album, which offers another effort of combining cross-cultural musical influences, and as such expanding the realm of the contemporary Jazz-World Fusion in a most stimulating way. Naturally I wholeheartedly recommend this album to all adventurous music lovers, as it is truly worth being discovered!

Updated: 10/02/2021Posted: 10/02/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

QUARTET AJATON ~ EARLY MUSIC IN THE LATEST WAY ALBA 458 (Barcode: 6417513104585) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the second album by the Finnish Quartet AjatonFind albums by this artist, which consists of vocalist Mia SimanainenFind albums by this artist, bandoneon player Henrik SandasFind albums by this artist, Moog synthesizer player Kari IkonenFind albums by this artist and viola da gamba (a.k.a. viol) player Mikko PerkolaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, most of which are interpretations of Early Music from the 16th and 17th Century, four by the English Renaissance composer / singer John DowlandFind albums by this artist, one by Henry PurcellFind albums by this artist, three by various composers of the period and finally one is a Finnish traditional melody. The music offers a very original sound, which mixes early instruments, the Moog synthesizer and vocals in a most surprising manner, which immediately rises the listener’s eyebrows. There is a delicate balance between the original music and the improvised parts. Each of the three instruments and the vocals switch between the original melody lines and improvisations, often within the same tracks, creating a natural flow, which in fact is hardly natural at all, weaving a sophisticated tapestry of “illusion”, which tries to transform the music several Centuries ahead of its time. The vocalist and the instrumentalists do a stunning job from start to finish, playing with highly aesthetic imagination, obvious skill and reserve, carefully avoiding the possibility to upset the delicate balance that this music is based upon. One has truly to admire the audacity involved in taking such radical approach to the original music, and yet manage to arrive victorious at the end, preserving the soul of the music and at the same time deconstruct it into contemporary environment. This album is certainly one of the most interesting attempts to deal with Early Music in an innovative and highly creative way, which to me proves again the incredible richness of the Finnish music scene, which sadly often remains undiscovered. It might take a while to get into by less experienced music explorers, but it is definitely worth the effort and certainly deserves to be discovered! Beautifully done Lady and Gentlemen! Respect…

Updated: 24/04/2021Posted: 24/04/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend