Record Reviews

OTON KVARTETTI / WASAMA–TUOMINEN / HIETANEN & HAUTA-AHO / WASAMA QUART ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 07 & VOL. 08 SVART 030 (Barcode: 6430050667252) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Soul Fusion Recorded: 1973 - 1976 Released: 2016 The "Popstudio" / "Jazzstudio" broadcasts were usually dedicated to one band / artists, 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. Oton KvartettiFind albums by this artist, led by violinist Otto-Tapio NevanlinnaFind albums by this artist, included also pianist Jukka LinkolaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jorma KoivulehtoFind albums by this artist and drummer Heikki TimonenFind albums by this artist, was a short lived group of young classically trained musicians who moved into Jazz and offered a wonderfully lyrical, but completely open music. They perform only one original composition by Linkola, which lasts for over twenty minutes and offers extensive soloing, and which progressively intensifies as the music continues, climaxing with a passionate group improvisation. Wasama - Tuominen TrioFind albums by this artist consisted of saxophonist Tapio TuominenFind albums by this artist and brothers Olli-Pekka WasamaFind albums by this artist on bass and Jukka WasamaFind albums by this artist on drums. The trio played passionate Free Jazz, based on the powerful lead statements by Tuominen and intense rhythm section support by the Wasama brothers. They perform two original compositions, one credited to the trio members and the other to Jukka Wasama. Influenced by the European / British Free Jazz flourishing at the time, the trio was a superb example of the Finnish Free Jazz / Improvising Music scene, which had many excellent representatives at the time. By the time the duo of pianist Pentti HietanenFind albums by this artist and bassist Teppo Hauta-AhoFind albums by this artist took part in this live radio broadcast they were both already established musicians, who started their careers a decade earlier. The music is classic mainstream Jazz, and the duo performs three original compositions, all by Hietanen, which are all about the wonderful interplay between them and showcase the virtuosic bass playing by Hauta-Aho. The Wasama brothers added violinist / pianist Mikko-Ville Luolayan-MikkolaFind albums by this artist and guitarist Ilkka NiemelainenFind albums by this artist to form the Wasama QuartetFind albums by this artist, who played a mixture of modern Jazz and World Music elements, with a lot of space for improvisation. They perform three pieces, two original compositions by Niemelainen and their interpretation of the famous Jim PepperFind albums by this artist composition "Witchi Tai To" which was covered extensively. The quartet recorded two studio albums several years after their appearance on this live radio broadcast. 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 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: 15/06/2020Posted: 06/06/2020

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