Tuomo Prättälä

"The music can smoulder for lengthy passages but the flame eventually burns bright."

"The album reveals new dimensions of Fredriksson’s personality and artistry. Beyond their prowess on saxophone, there is a wider palette of expression on guitar and keyboards as well as bass clarinet, with various horns multi-tracked for solo duets."

Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola has spent this weird spring pretty much the same way as all professional musicians worldwide: Taking part in streamed concerts and honing his chops and working on new music at home. A recent highlight amidst the trying times was the whopping Down Beat review of his current album The Dead Don’t Dream. At FMQ‘s request, Verneri spoke to Petri Silas about the music that gives him solace and strength when the going gets tough.

"The trumpeter and composer embraces new settings and situations as a hired gun yet also frequently seeks to shed his skin in the projects he leads or co-leads."

"While the melodies appear timeless and uncomplicated, the performances are pure Ilmiliekki – that is, contemporary jazz with a Nordic twist."

The album is bursting with swinging Americana, lush road-trip music and romancing the radio.