Record Reviews

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

KAUKO ROYHKA / S. A. HYNNINEN ~ DEKADENSSI SVART 228 (Barcode: 6430077090965) ~ FINLAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the debut album as a duo by two of veteran Finnish Rockers: vocalists / guitarists / songwriters Kauko RoyhkaFind albums by this artist and S. A. HynninenFind albums by this artist, both prolific figures on the local scene with an impressive recording legacy. The album present thirteen songs, twelve of which feature brilliant lyrics by Royhka and one is a poem by French poet Arthur RimbaudFind albums by this artist. Royhka composed ten of the songs and three were composed by Hynninen. They both sing and play guitars and percussions, Hynninen also plays the bass parts, several singesr help with vocals on selected tracks, Roberto LanzFind albums by this artist plays drums, Mikko HellstromFind albums by this artist plays upright bass and Janne RiisioFind albums by this artist plays percussion. The album offers a collection of great Rock songs with highly intelligent socially / politically oriented contents, which are performed without much instrumental complexity, but kick ass from start to finish. The songs offers a consistent musical continuity and a unique atmosphere, almost, but not quite. “heavy” and simply delightful. Royhka’s vocals are heartfelt and sensitive and the album has a distinct “retro” feel and sound. Overall this is splendid Rock album, which sounds and feels like albums from the good old days when people were making music for music’s sake. With Finnish lyrics, the verbal layer is of course limited to those who speak the language, but honestly this does not hinder the essence of what the album has to offer. I had a blast listening to this music!

Updated: 04/03/2021Posted: 04/03/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend