FMQ - JazzReviewsSpring2021 Articles

Playful and vivacious

Playful and vivacious

Playful and vivacious

"The album is musically diverse. Clocking in at just over half an hour, it is short enough to make the listener wish for a couple of extra tracks, but as such it also leaves an appetite for the band’s next album."

Laura Korhonen

April 8, 2021

“And one man in his time plays many parts”

“And one man in his time plays many parts”

“And one man in his time plays many parts”

"Pianist Cecil Taylor appeared on the Tampere Jazz Happening stage with his European Quintet [in 1998.] What ensued was a remarkable journey through sound and vision."

Petri Silas

April 8, 2021

Don’t let the name fool you

Don’t let the name fool you

Don’t let the name fool you

"While this hard-swinging combo is stylistically firmly rooted in the past, the delivery is rather fresh."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

April 8, 2021

Leading from the bassline

Leading from the bassline

Leading from the bassline

"Mäensivu also has three strong originals on the disc, saving the best for last: closing tune The Lemur is also the perfect showcase for her bass playing, scampering agilely as a lemur up a tree."

Wif Stenger

April 8, 2021

Multi-instrumentalists and eight drummers in acoustic landscapes

Multi-instrumentalists and eight drummers in acoustic landscapes

Multi-instrumentalists and eight drummers in acoustic landscapes

"There seems to be no bounds to the sheer imagination poured into the sound worlds and effects inhabiting this album."

Laura Korhonen

April 8, 2021

Cinematic meditations

Cinematic meditations

Cinematic meditations

"Mostly acoustic with discreet electronic underpinning, this is simply beautiful music with some of the husk left on."

Wif Stenger

April 8, 2021

Jazz tradition with modern spices

Jazz tradition with modern spices

Jazz tradition with modern spices

"Riitta Paakki and her band never show off. They work together admirably well, delivering a delightful musical experience."

Marita Nyrhinen

April 8, 2021

Eminently competent Finnish jazz vocalist

Eminently competent Finnish jazz vocalist

Eminently competent Finnish jazz vocalist

"Aili Ikonen is a breath of fresh air in the firmament of Finnish contemporary vocal artists and vocal jazz."

Marita Nyrhinen

April 8, 2021

A grower and a keeper

A grower and a keeper

A grower and a keeper

"Perhaps that’s Kämäräinen’s superpower: He manages to sound like a bandmember even when occupying the sonic space all by himself. What an absolute gem of a disc Timo Kämäräinen has come up with."

Petri Silas

April 8, 2021

Organic meets synthetic

Organic meets synthetic

Organic meets synthetic

"This interim release is clearly ready for post-pandemic parties – and who isn’t?"

Wif Stenger

April 8, 2021

Manipulating time

Manipulating time

Manipulating time

"The delicate interplay flourishes on the tetchy and heavy groove of Zomp, the hypnotic pulse of Kobi and the polyrhythmic drive of Telemagenta. Live Recordings 2019–2020 is a slam dunk of restrained energy and vivid communication."

Petri Silas

April 8, 2021

Fun in a serious way

Fun in a serious way

Fun in a serious way

"Tango-stomping, disco bass lines on tuba, Brazilian carnival rhythms, twisted country and ditto dixie, are some of the ingredients. But you will also find continental romantics and dystopian free-tonal characteristics in the melodies."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

April 8, 2021