Record Reviews

PETRI & PETTERSSON BRASS / MAGYAR / DONNA / TABULA RASA ~ POP LIISA VOL. 17 & VOL. 18 SVART 091 (Barcode: 6430065583530) ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1976 Released: 2018 The "Popstudio" / "Jazzstudio" broadcasts were usually dedicated to one band / artist, but in some cases two acts were combined into one show, which allowed each of them just about twenty minutes to perform, as is the case on these two sessions. Also the first session combines shows from two separate dates – the only such case in the entire Pop Liisa Series, of which this is the last part. Trombonist Petri PetterssonFind albums by this artist and his three brothers: trumpeters Hannu PetterssonFind albums by this artist and Heikki PetterssonFind albums by this artist and guitarist Ari PetterssonFind albums by this artist formed their band as early as 1966 and released their first eponymous album as Petri & Pettersson BrassFind albums by this artist in 1971. By the time this live radio broadcast was captured in 1973 they were about to release their second album a year later. The lineup included also saxophonist Pekka KajanderFind albums by this artist, organist Jarmo KokkonenFind albums by this artist, bassist Antero AsikainenFind albums by this artist and drummer Esa KarkiFind albums by this artist. Together the octet was a bona fide ass kicking Brass Rock ensemble, which could give any contemporary band of this kind around the world a run for their money. They perform six pieces, two originals and the rest covers of Rock songs (one by ChicagoFind albums by this artist) arranged by the group. The band MagyarFind albums by this artist recorded only one album released on LoveFind albums on this label Records in 1974 and the material they perform on this live radio broadcast originates from this release. The band consisted of vocalist / composer Harry GunaropoulosFind albums by this artist, vocalist Jouko NiiranenFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Markku HeikkonenFind albums by this artist, organist Vesa KurkelaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Kari HuttunenFind albums by this artist, bassist Taito KettunenFind albums by this artist and drummer Kari PietikainenFind albums by this artist. All their songs were composed by Gunaropoulos and featured lyrics by the poet Jukka ItkonenFind albums by this artist, which placed them in the sung poetry / protest songs idioms, due to the highly social / political involvement of Itkonen´s poetry. The band DonnaFind albums by this artist never managed to record an album. They consisted of guitarist / vocalist Jari YliahoFind albums by this artist, lead guitarist Tapio ManninenFind albums by this artist, bassist Vesa ReijonenFind albums by this artist and drummer Paavo KaiholaFind albums by this artist. Pianist Lasse RajaFind albums by this artist played on one track. They perform five original songs, all co-composed by the band members and featuring lyrics by poet Kimmo KoskimaaFind albums by this artist. The songs have a distinct Reggae feel but are beautifully melodic and also belong to the sung poetry idiom. This material is a true gem as the only recorded material by the band was just one single they managed to record. The band Tabula RasaFind albums by this artist managed to record two albums on Love Records during their short existence. They were one of the last Finnish groups of the first Prog wave. Their lineup went through several changes and the live radio broadcast was recorded by vocalist Jukka SalmelaFind albums by this artist, organist Jarno SinisaloFind albums by this artist, guitarist Heikki SilvennoinenFind albums by this artist, bassist Tapio SuominenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jukka AronenFind albums by this artist. They perform just two lengthy versions of songs from their second album, composed by Silvennoinen and Sinisalo, both featuring excellent instrumental work. 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 Classic Rock, Brass Rock and Prog-heads 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: 18/05/2020Posted: 18/05/2020

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