FMQ - ArcticParadiseWorld&Jazz2018 Articles

Three decades of innovation by Tapani Rinne

Three decades of innovation by Tapani Rinne

Three decades of innovation by Tapani Rinne

Known as a fearless sound explorer and protean saxophonist, Tapani Rinne introduced jazz to ambient and techno years before it became a worldwide trend. After game-changing albums with RinneRadio, Wimme and others, he continues to blaze a trail of innovation.

Petri Silas

May 9, 2018

A shining star on the rise

A shining star on the rise

A shining star on the rise

"A secret destined to come out globally sooner than not, Pauli Lyytinen is THE current Finnish jazzer to follow if woodwinds are your penchant."

Petri Silas

March 29, 2018

Tales of a master guitarist

Tales of a master guitarist

Tales of a master guitarist

"Teemu Viinikainen's light touch on the delay, sustain and looping pedals creates a spacious, floating sound that triggers all kinds of pleasure synapses."

Wif Stenger

March 29, 2018

Okra Playground - Live at De Ploter, Ternat

Okra Playground - Live at De Ploter, Ternat

Okra Playground - Live at De Ploter, Ternat

"Each of the three female voices is strong in her own right, but blended together there seems no end to the variation in mood and colour they can create," describes Ton Maas in his review of the group's gig in Belgium.

Ton Maas

March 16, 2018

Accordion with a twist

Accordion with a twist

Accordion with a twist

"Johanna Juhola is a confident accordion star who has created her own unique style. Despite shining the limelight on the accordion, her music portrays a strong vision beyond just one instrument."

Tove Djupsjöbacka

January 31, 2018

A winning combination

A winning combination

A winning combination

"Stop! Listen! The tempi and moods keep changing, but the familiar and tested combination forms the backbone of Wimme and Rinne's new album, Human."

Riikka Hiltunen

January 31, 2018

An impressive one-woman-show

An impressive one-woman-show

An impressive one-woman-show

"Maija Kauhanen's debut album could well be a future classic in Finnish folk music."

Riikka Hiltunen

September 21, 2017

Innovative noise box

Innovative noise box

Innovative noise box

Pull or push? Diatonal or microtonal? Traditional bear hunting celebration or reflections of the cosmos? Antti Paalanen and Veli Kujala prove that the accordion can do it all.

Amanda Kauranne

August 24, 2017

The kantele - outside the box

The kantele - outside the box

The kantele - outside the box

Today, the kantele inspires composers and performers across genre boundaries. Musician Maija Kauhanen and composer Adina Dumitrescu discuss the instrument from their respective perspectives.

Tove Djupsjöbacka

June 16, 2017

Keyboardist Kari Ikonen: “We take risks every night”

Keyboardist Kari Ikonen: “We take risks every night”

Keyboardist Kari Ikonen: “We take risks every night”

Seamlessly, keyboardist and composer Kari Ikonen spins a distinctive sound of his own that draws on music from around the world, grounded in US jazz and fusion of the ‘60s and ‘70s. On Moog synthesizer, acoustic or electric piano, he plays with ecstasy and a fascination with rhythm.

Wif Stenger

February 14, 2017

A musical force to be reckoned with

A musical force to be reckoned with

A musical force to be reckoned with

"With Turmio Okra Playground have swept on to Finland’s folk music scene with a distinctive celebration of Finnish traditions and stories driven by captivating energy and passion and an obvious historical perspective."

Fiona Talkington

June 4, 2016

Daredevils introducing folk

Daredevils introducing folk

Daredevils introducing folk

"The genius is that Lajunen and Grundstrom interpret all this daringly and originally as a duo with their pelimanni instruments instead of the traditional way as solo with a kantele or jouhikko (aka bowed lyre)."

July 6, 2013

A perfect balance between restraint and abandon

A perfect balance between restraint and abandon

A perfect balance between restraint and abandon

Pierre Ringwald

January 8, 1985