Record Reviews

UNISONO QUARTET / TAIVAANTEMPPELI ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 01 & VOL. 02 SVART 021 (Barcode: 6430050665753) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 2016 The Unisono QuartetFind albums by this artist, formed in 1970 by legendary Godfather of Finnish Jazz, saxophonist / composer Paroni PaakkunainenFind albums by this artist, had many lineup changes during its history and often included more than four members, but kept the "Quartet" as part of its name. This live radio broadcasts captured the band in a quartet setting with pianist Olli AhvenlahtiFind albums by this artist, bassist Make LievonenFind albums by this artist and drummer Reino LaineFind albums by this artist, all representatives of the top young Finnish Jazz players at the time. The band recorded its sole eponymous album only in 1975. They perform four original compositions, two by Ahvenlahti and one each by Paakkunainen and Lievonen, all lasting about ten minuets each, which of course offers plenty of opportunities for extended soloing. The compositions, although based on melodic themes, are very open and tend to include Free Form explorations and odd time signatures, as appropriate for the musical climate of the time. TaivaantemppeliFind albums by this artist was a short-lived sextet, which played sophisticated Jazz-Rock Fusion. It included two members of the Unisono Quartet, Ahvenlahti and Lievonen, and also flautist Matti JakolaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Pekka RechardtFind albums by this artist, drummer Upi SorvaliFind albums by this artist and percussionist Tapani IkonenFind albums by this artist. They never managed to record an album and this live radio broadcast is the only document of their legacy. They perform three original compositions, all by Lievonen, which are between ten and fifteen minutes long and offer extensive soloing. Based on wonderfully melodic themes and performed by highly talented musicians, this is some on the best European Fusion of the period, unique due to the sublime flute parts and challenging musical versatility and forward thinking. Overall this is some of the most staggering music created in Europe in the early to mid 1970s that one is able to hear and for European Jazz and Fusion connoisseurs this is an absolute must have! Side Note The Finnish independent label SvartFind albums on this label Records released an unprecedented series of albums called Pop Liisa and Jazz Liisa, which present priceless historical recordings of Finnish Rock, Progressive Rock, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Jazz music, recorded live and broadcasted from the Liisankatu Studios in Helsinki under the "Popstudio" and "Jazzstudio" monikers between 1972 and 1977. The studios were owned by the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), a public broadcasting service, which not only allowed the burgeoning Finnish music scene at the time to be exposed but also carefully archived the recordings for future generations. All this incredible music was previously unissued and collectively is probably the most important document of Finnish music from that period ever assembled. The music was released on 36 LPs (Pop Liisa Vol. 01 to Vol. 18 and Jazz Liisa Vol. 01 to Vol. 18) and on 18 CDs with every two consecutive volumes combined on one CD. The sound quality is absolutely superb, often better than the sound quality on the LPs released by these artists at the time. Many of the groups appearing on these albums never managed to record an album and these recordings are the only recorded legacy in existence of their activity. The released are accompanied by well researched and intelligent liner notes. This archival project is an outstanding example of how Cultural Legacy should be treated as well as of exemplary dedication to record producing professionalism.

Updated: 02/06/2020Posted: 02/06/2020

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