Interested music from Finland?

[Mika K]

Some years ago I wrote to Naim forum the following intro:

Hi all,

Recently had an idea related to this forum as have been lurking around for a while.

I listen mainly old school and also modern punk, rock, proge and jazz music. The selection includes quite a bunch of finnish bands, including some nice indie findings. Classical I listan sometimes but I have to admit being quite a newbie on that front. As a format I prefer LP but also CD and occasionally some lossless digiformats will do for leisure listening. Once a month I write LP reviews to one local hifi magazine, the main interest here is traditional jazz and finnish indiepop I guess.

If you are only interested of the idea I could write here occasionally some small inserts about the interesting finnish artists and their works possibly with links to their Myspace pages, Spotify etc. Nothing fancy but still something. So how about it?

Cheers,

Mika K

Got positive reaction and finally did few pages of some mini reviews and introductions for interesting finnish artists and albums. These can be found here http://forums.naimaudio.com/displayForumTopic/content/1566878605822057/page/1 and hope that you can find at least part of the posts there interesting. Now as do not spend much time at Naim forum anymore planned to continue these here whenever have something nice to share.. :)

So, stay tuned for the first real post :eyebrows:

[Mika K]

In with Lassy

As many of you already know Scandinavia has been really one of the hot spots for jazz during the late years. Even if there might be that Scandinavian sound existing, I'm pretty sure that one Timo Lassy has isn't one of those.

http://timolassy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/in-with.lassy_.jpg

He has played at several top groups during the past decade and last week his owm group published their third album. They're known to spread the word for happy dancehall jazz to modern crowd but at least I really like the way they're mixing old and new. And oh boy they're strong live performers on stage!

Spotify has his first two albums and two singles from the latest one available http://open.spotify.com/album/6Qg7dlcOJ36bsU7neQ2yPq. All the albums are available as LP and especially the latest one is really HQ pressing, so for those to jazz absolutely recommended :)

[Beechwoods]

Nice idea Mika. I'm always up for hearing more about bands from 'other countries', other than the UK and US that is.

I only know a couple of Finnish bands at the moment, both Metal ones, there does seem a strong underground metal scene in Finland.

Nightwish, who are fantastic

spotify:track:2g95WVcVrf4xp6DW02hzBF

And Finntroll... folk metal.

spotify:track:3BwlOmCy7g5LJwoYYpZslZ

[Mika K]

Then please be sure to check this old post for the estonian folk-metal band called Metsatöll :D

http://forums.naimaudio.com/displayForumTopic/content/1566878605822057?reply=1566878605822171#1566878605 822171

[Rare Bird]

Elonkorjuu
Haikara
Pekka Pohjola/Wigwam

[Mika K]

Very famous bands there.

I really like the debut album of Haikara as it's somehow twisted in interesting manner. Their second album is also ok, despite not being so impressive than the debut. If you like Haikara then please also try band called Apollo if not familiar yet. They made only one album and it's also considered one of classic finnish albums in the genre. One possible reason might be that young Edward Vesala was one leading force at the band playing the drums and percussions.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9escxfNnUE/TtqRVydASCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/JhIBnSiGxl4/s320/Front.jpg

http://oulupophistory.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/apollo.jpg?w=300&h=300

Elonkorjuu, hmm :) Just one or two years ago there was HQ reissue made out of Elonkorjuu debut album Harvest Time, which is really good album. Also just recently (a month ago I think) there was new Elonkorjuu 4cd collectors box launched - Seasons. Haven't got that one but one of my friend was very excited of the release when it came out.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KcJj6wN1MA4/SIHVpoUXOaI/AAAAAAAACbI/JH0gGKJ2HQY/s400/eac.jpg

http://www.emi.fi/kuvat/julkaisut/u_elonkorjuu_seasons.jpg

For Pekka Pohjola or Wigwam I don't even start now as then I would have to go also to Tasavallan Presidentti and that would again lead me to Pekka Streng and then Love Records and.. :D

[Mika K]

Loong time without any input here but now I'm obligated to write something as Jan 18th Svart Records released the debut album of one new finnish progressive rock band "Sammal" which means in english moss (the plant or whatever that is..). Tha band has started their journey on 2004 and after some singles and extensive live performances it's about time for this.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwuuHet39Rl8l4Gz1dKdqlNE4BILWXg O86aWWIIAoQHrpzNAXTqg

The album is bringing influences from 70's music and especially the ones lead by perhaps the most famous finnish record company, the Love Records. The bands material is strong and their approach is fresh but you definately can hear echoes from the bands such as Tabula Rasa and Tasavallan Presidentti. The music paints nice finnish landscapes and the language for the songs is finnish. Despite I recommend all the prog fans to check the band out, especially if the bands mentiones at the previous posts are familiar to you.. ;)

From Spotify http://open.spotify.com/artist/163FlKihIniAXnf9NdoIZk and Youtube..

I2LPKc5tIpk

[Mika K]

Big Blue

http://www.camjazz.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/325x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_15456.jpg

This is the debut album of the finnish quartet of young and talented musicians. The subtle choices and direction are truly playing important part in the album and the music is a kind of ambient minimalism combined to traditional jazz that emphasises the members abilities as an artists. Kind of music that reminds me of the famous Verneri Pohjola Quartet.

I like the album very much, please check it out from Spotify http://open.spotify.com/user/mrok/playlist/5nSjcjphwDbd2vcs41wQ76 or one of their live performances from Youtube..

WRkBOp1lgXo

[Mika K]

Very long time with no update but suddenly remembered this thread as listened one album from one finnish new interesting progressive group.

Suomen Tulli

http://www.soundi.fi/sites/default/files/styles/infobox_image/public/soundi/record_review/352889.jpg

The second LP of this band coming from Tornio (very small finnish town) continues in the mood of classic 70s progressive rock. They certainly have their own sound that is not copied but still reminds me of names like Tabula Rasa, Caravan or Pekka Streng. The personal lyrics are finnish only but if you like classic scandinavian progressive rock and the band Sammal I wrote some time ago perhaps worth checking this also out..

Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/3ec3uJeaZ8yWFyxAp23hhE
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idOyMKH9SZE

[Ashmore]

Hi

I've been checking out Big Blue - nice album, thanks for the recommendation.

[Mika K]

Nice to hear that atleast someone is checking these recommendations out!

If you like finnish jazz then perhaps following pretty fresh albums are worth of checking out:

http://www.jaskalukkarinen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/nterrain11.jpg

http://suomijazz.com/wp-content/uploads/hum.jpg

http://www.painteddogrecords.com/images/SC463.jpg

http://www.soundi.fi/sites/default/files/styles/infobox_image/public/dalindeo-kallio-kansi.jpg

They're all pretty different but still..

[keiths]

Will check those out Mika -- many thanks.

[Tim]

Thanks Mika, I'll have a look too as we often seem to play similar music. ;)

[Mika K]

That's great!

If you like to take time and list some of your favorites, I could then see what recommendations comes to my mind. In this topic they would naturally be finnish origin or have some kind of link to Finland. But as I think finding and sharing new music is the best part of this wouldn't mind at all.. :)

[hectorschmector]

i saw a group in Helsinki years ago called New Spirit Helsinki, picked up their disc on double or triple LP, very cool. Havent seen the LP at my place for a while now, so I will go looking and try and send a pic. But check them out, im sure there is a youtube vid.

[Mika K]

Haven't heard about that on but are you sure it wasn't spelled Nuspirit Helsinki? That's a group have heard earlier and also seen live once on some summer festival. They do some lounge style new jazz and also electronic stuff and have been participating at least on few Jazzanova remix-albums etc. in addition of their own LPs.. :)

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/74409932/Nuspirit+Helsinki+600x600+PNG.png

http://media.tokafi.com/2009/01/cd-feature-nuspirit-helsinki-our-favorite-things-Nuspirit-Helsinki-Our-Favorite-Things-review.jpg

[Mika K]

Oddarrang - In Cinema

http://whitenoiseofeverydaylife.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/oddarrang.jpg

Oddarrang is very interesting group in finnish jazz scene. Not really new on but just lately received very nice publicity with their new album In Cinema. Check out a spot on review from the Guardian and find their latest from Spotify or other sources for listening.. :)

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/10/oddarrang-in-cinema-review

[Mika K]

The Punk Syndrome

I guess this is something should have posted ages ago. The band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät is a punk band from Helsinki, Finland. The band members work in a music/culture workshop for disabled people. They play all the instruments by themselves and wrote the music and lyrics as well. The band has been there for some time and have seen them live few times and they really have the spirit!

http://img.youtube.com/vi/dGlZyLsogwU/0.jpg

Their debut album is a solid piece of punk rock but the documentary is actually greater piece of art that everyone should see despite of the musical preferences. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as familiar to us from some hifi mag equipment reviews.. :D

http://film.list.co.uk/article/48487-the-punk-syndrome/

[Mika K]

Ailli Ikonen & Tribute to Ella

Perhaps not perfect by any means but very nice and well recorded tribute by finnish singer Aili Ikonen and her band put together for this specific occasion. Or atleast I guess that is how it started :) For the fans of the Lady definitely something to consider purchasing..

http://tributetoella.com/in-english/

http://jazzrytmit.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/aili-ikonen-tribute-to-ella-cover.jpg

[Mika K]

Oddarrang - In Cinema

This is the album of the 2013! Already wrote some words few posts ago but slowly this has been growing in me.. :D

http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a0079016778_2.jpg

Experimental Finnish band Oddarrang make a genre-defying sound, influenced by jazz, classical, world music and postmodern rock. They have been compared to the cool but moving expression of Icelanders like Björk and Sigur Rós – a mesmerising and spiritual sonic soundscape. Oddarrang’s debut album won the Finnish equivalent of the Grammies for best Jazz Album of the Year 2007. Oddarrang’s fascinating mix of musical moods, traditions and their unusual instrumentation (trombone, cello, guitar, acoustic bass and drums) are gaining them more fans at every performance. In Cinema, their third album released in Oct 2013, is a remarkable album and one set to push the band into new worlds.

Really special and fascinating album with some cinematic storytelling and definitely worth checking out!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeaVWRhgNbI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goTvfcR7q5s

[daytona600]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umohQECJ_rc

Hoff Ensemble - Quiet Winter Night - an acoustic jazz project 180g LP is superb

[Mika K]

It may be but it's Norwegian origin, not Finnish..

[daytona600]

sorry mika just checked the sleeve norwegian not finnish Good album
sure i have some finnish LPs as well

[Mika K]

Those indeed would fit in nicely to this subject :)

[BoringSounds]

I thought to share one of my favourite prog bands, Charlies, that also happens to be from Finland.

This one from their album Buttocks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfEQ-h0_F2w

More info here about the album:
http://www.discogs.com/Charlies-Buttocks/release/2550843

Which has been recently repressed, surrounded by some controversy..
http://www.discogs.com/Charlies-Buttocks/release/4901226

Thanks for listening

[Mika K]

Long time no update to this thread but lately have been listening lot of reissues from famous finnish bands as Svart Records have publisged quite a few recently. Some of those are purely finnish bands, but some are bands that are pretty known also outside Finland (mainly because of the language barrier I guess). These reissues are pretty good quality ones with original covers etc. So I think cultural value is also good as many of the original pressings are really rare and expensive.

The series has artists using finnish language like Maarit and Kauko Röyhkä. But the main interest for you might be the reissues from several albums of progressive titans like Wigwam, Tasavallan Presidentti, Apollo, Kaseva or Blues Section, that I'm playing as writing this. Really
really good album!

http://b.i.levykauppax.fi/cover/big/3/39/399563.jpg?lp


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TZfBWPx7GA

The webpages of the Svart Records with release tracking, more information and webshop can be found from http://www.svartrecords.com/

[Mika K]

In a way this something very finnish.. :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtX2HPBMcsQ

And another, which reminds I have to write something about Kimmo Pohjonen here some day..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvdgTBxvivM

[Mika K]

Eero Koivistoinen

The grand old man of Finnish jazz music, Eero Koivistoinen and his Quartet has recently published his new album Hati Hati via Svart Records. Very balanced album especially for those that value jazz ballads and relaxed atmosphere combined to very seamless and competent technical performance. The s/t played live can be seen from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvr9TBS2ysE

http://jazzrytmit.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/eero-koivistoinen-hati-hati-cover.jpg

Svart also recently published his earlier album The Original Sin from early 70's. Perhaps also worth of checking out..

http://i.levykauppax.fi/cover/normal/3/39/396908.jpg?lp


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AVXSoPdGww

[The Barbarian]

Piirpauke were a well know Finnish band, they still going today i think.. 1st self titled LP is good.

[Mika K]

The Punk Syndrome

I guess this is something should have posted ages ago. The band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät is a punk band from Helsinki, Finland. The band members work in a music/culture workshop for disabled people. They play all the instruments by themselves and wrote the music and lyrics as well. The band has been there for some time and have seen them live few times and they really have the spirit!

http://img.youtube.com/vi/dGlZyLsogwU/0.jpg

Their debut album is a solid piece of punk rock but the documentary is actually greater piece of art that everyone should see despite of the musical preferences. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as familiar to us from some hifi mag equipment reviews.. :D

http://film.list.co.uk/article/48487-the-punk-syndrome/
Btw, any Eurovision fans out there? :D

[Mika K]

Long time no update, but if you like quality Euro-jazz perhaps something worth checking out either in German BE!Jazz 2014 reissue or then the newer US Frederiksberg Records 2015 reissue. Really nice album that I had missed also from my collection.

http://www.negamusi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/6083-Schwindt-Cover.jpg

Artist: Christian Schwindt Quintet
Album: For Friends And Relatives
Release: 1964-1966 / 2011 / 2014 / 2015
Genre: jazz

“Landmark work from the Finnish scene of the 60s – one of those ultra-rare European jazz records that collectors have dug for decades! The set’s got a stark, modern sort of feel – but also a nice soulful swing, too – a balance that few of the other Scandinavians hit so well at the time – as they were either hanging between farther-out progressions, or more inside, tightly arranged jazz! Drummer Christian Schwindt’s vision here is exceptional – full of rich feeling, deep tone, and careful construction of the tunes – with a sensibility that almost reminds us of Ted Curson and Bill Barron working together – in ways that we’d state from the comments above. (And we’ve also been told that he’s had some great help on conceiving the record from trumpeter Otto Donner – whose playing here is great too!) The whole thing has a quality that you’d find in a rare few albums – maybe some of the best French new wave soundtracks, an early solo Booker Ervin record, or a few other treasures in your collection. Players include Heikki Sarmanto on piano, Otto Donner on trumpet, Erik Danholm on tenor and alto, and Tapani Tamminen on bass – on titles that include “D Day”, “My Next & Only Love”, “Helsinki At Noon”, “Miniature”, and “Claudine”. CD also features 3 bonus tracks – “Karibaldi”, “Nepa”, and “Sexus”.” (http://www.dustygroove.com)

[Mika K]

Sometime ago Verneri Pohjola released his newest album Bullhorn. This is highly spoken album is filled with very lyrical and beautiful pieces with no extra showcasing of the groups talent.

Few reviews and Soundcloud link:
- http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/05/verneri-pohjola-bullhorn-review
- http://www.allaboutjazz.com/bullhorn-verneri-pohjola-edition-records-review-by-ian-patterson.php
- https://soundcloud.com/editionrecords/another-day-verneri-pohjola

http://jazzrytmit.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/verneri-pohjola-bullhorn-cover.jpg

[Tim]

Thanks Mika, I always enjoy your 'spins' and suggestions :)

[Mika K]

No problem Tim!

Actually the ongoing year has been quite strong considering the published albums here in Finland. Many interesting new talents and also strong albums from already familiar artists. As I'm having vacation for the next week or so, might try to add few examples here..

[Senor Soul]

Released a few years ago now but this harks back my Acid Jazz days of the early 80s.

http://www.djouls.com/fivecornersquintet/images/The_Five_Corners_Quintet-Chasin_The_Jazz_Gone_By_b.jpg

[Mika K]

The progressive newcomer for the 2015

"OCTOPIE is a very skilled Finnish prog quartet with an epic-oriented debut album and an excellent EP preceding this new release. Now they're presenting a full-bred theme album telling a story, or a "rock opera" if you like, in the tradition of Tommy, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and Snow (though only in 45 minutes unlike those famous double albums). It's about rather surreal and obscure adventures of a protagonist, young man named Harry, who meets a talking walrus and is taken into oceanic adventures crowded with disco pirates, sirens and a whale. "

Available only in CD format and from streaming services but worth checking out if like the legendary progressive albums by Genesis, King Crimson or Jethro Tull. Read more form the http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1448518 and check it out!

http://b.i.levykauppax.fi/cover/normal/4/43/436390.jpg?cd

[Mika K]

Debut album from young Finnish Talents

Jazzaggression’s latest contemporary installment brings forward a younger generation of Finnish jazz players. Teemu Åkerblom Quartet’s playing is firmly rooted in the past but brings out new energy to the scene. Teemu’s own compositions are catchy, melodic and lush but never too intricate. Throughout the record you hear great solo performances by Zenger, Vannemaa, Tikka and Pohjola who stepped in on three of the tunes. 100% analogue recorded and mastered by Abdissa Assefa, transferred from reels direct to lacquer by Jukka Sarapää at Timmion. Package comes in a heavy cardboard paste on sleeve with front painting by California Multi artist Steve Roden. Limited to 500 copies.

http://b.i.levykauppax.fi/cover/normal/4/43/438873.jpg?lp

Free listening available at https://soundcloud.com/teemu-akerblom-quartet

Get yours while you can!

[Mika K]

Malady

Malady plays 70’s style Finnish progressive rock. Our music is heavily influenced by Finnish bands such as Wigwam, Kalevala, Haikara and Nimbus to mention but a few.

Malady was formed in Helsinki in 2010 as a three-piece band (Tony Björkman/Guitar; Juuso Jylhänlehto/Drums; Jonni Tanskanen/Bass) and was initially intended as a one-album project. The album was originally to be released around 2030. The majority of the songs found on the debut album were conceived in the following few years.

Finding the guitar-bass-drums -combination insufficient, Babak Issabeigloo was asked to play the Hammond organ in 2012, which he promptly switched to the guitar and microphone. The role of the organist was filled by Ville Rohiola a few years later. The first album was recorded in summer and fall 2014.

The rest is to come.

https://maladyband.wordpress.com

http://www.soundi.fi/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/malady-lp.jpg

[The Deacon]

Here are two little-known ones. Both 70s and instrumental folk/fusion like the Finns do best:
(Hope I get these spellings correct: my collection is in the basement and my memory might not hold going back up the stairs!)

POHJANTAHTI - SAME

AILLOHAS with Esa Kotilainen (moog - his solo lp on Silence is a good one too, cosmic) and "The Baron" Pekka. This has a long Finnish title which I'm not even going to try at. This is very interesting/unique worldmusic-like. I guess its the Finn southerners idea of the northern Sammi-folk (reindeer-herders) music . Like ECM meets a totally other world.

Five member band. I think Valtonen is also on hear on sax, woodwinds.

[The Deacon]

Mika: can you describe this Kaseva band? If its fusion, then I am more interested in guitar/keys fusion - not sax.

I am well-versed in 70s Finnish scene, but somehow this one escaped me. (I checked that Svart address, but there is not much there on this band.)

[Mika K]

Hi Ivor,

Nice to hear someone else also liking the old stuff :)

I think Esa Kotilainen did some collaboration with the sami culture and "singers" e.g. Nils-Aslak Valkeapää. For Pekka Pohjola I think you might mean either albums Pihkasilmä kaarnakorva, Harakka Bialoipokku or the best known Kätkävaaran lohikäärme.

Kaseva on other hand was very successful guitar folk-oriented pop/rock band at the era. Well known from its beautiful melancholic melodies, vocal harmonies and also playing the 12 string guitars. In a way pretty basic stuff but with very nice and skilled song writing and those vocal harmonies :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEVMik55K7o


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcQeuzhKi5I

[Jimbo]

Hi Mika,
Can you recommend any traditional audiophile jazz on vinyl from Finland.

[The Deacon]

RYTMI is one of the oldest jazz magazines in Europe. Estabished 1934!
And the Pori Festival is also one of the most important if not most.

[Mika K]

Hi Mika,
Can you recommend any traditional audiophile jazz on vinyl from Finland.
DO you have some more detailed preferences as traditional can be addressed in many ways..? :)

[Jimbo]

DO you have some more detailed preferences as traditional can be addressed in many ways..? :)

I am looking for small scale stuff trios, five piece. 1950,s - early 60's. Nothing contemporary.

[Mika K]

Hmm, 50's is not that familiar to me as jazz really started to develope more in Finland during the 60's. Of course there were bands in prior of that but more on the entertainment side than making recordings. I will check if I can hunt something interesting out for you.

In the meantime please check some artists from the 60's..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r6CBz-cWrY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOhklYyQGfw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JJoHwFHdh8

[Jimbo]

Hmm, 50's is not that familiar to me as jazz really started to develope more in Finland during the 60's. Of course there were bands in prior of that but more on the entertainment side than making recordings. I will check if I can hunt something interesting out for you.

In the meantime please check some artists from the 60's..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r6CBz-cWrY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOhklYyQGfw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JJoHwFHdh8

Particularly like the first Otto Donner Element all stars. Reminds a little of something I have been listening to just now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMN3YrAqzaM

cheers Mika

[Mika K]

Ok. Did some digging with the help of a friend for the older jazz in Finland as my limited knowledge starts more from the 60's.

Unfortunately Youtube does not find much for these but if interested you should check out the following: Kauko Viitamäki Quintet, Kimmo Louhelainen, Pertti Metsärinne and Erik Lindström. Few cd albums related to this might be https://www.discogs.com/Various-Suomalainen-Jazz-1929-1959-Osa-1/release/2415825, https://www.discogs.com/Various-Suomalainen-Jazz-1929-1959-Osa-2/release/2415969 and https://www.discogs.com/Various-Laulajia-Jazztunnelmissa-Singers-In-Jazz-Mood-Vol-5-Vuodet-1929-1969/release/7162848

[Jimbo]

Great thanks Mika, I will have a listen to your recommendations.

I have been collecting a great deal of jazz on the Pablo record label recently. Norman Gantz produced many of the great jazz artists of the 1950's,60's and 70,s on this record label which he set up. My favourite recordings are of some of the greats including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, Eddie lockjaw Davies, Joe Pass and some of the great session musicians of the time in small group recordings usually trio,s or quartets.

The recordings are all analogue and very well produced, some are exceptional.

Have a listen to Duke Ellington with the Double bass player Ray Brown on the album This one's for Blanton.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KS6UJgdEDjs

[Mika K]

Yes Pablo record label has some very nice albums at their catalogue. Found the label by a recommendation from a friend years back and usually always buy those when see for sale somewhere. I think I have approx 35 LPs from them at the moment including some of the newer live jazz concerts from Pable Live label. Goof stuff indeed.

I'm also big fan of Norman Granz and admire his work with the Verve label and later with Pablo. Are you familiar with this book for the subject http://www.amazon.com/Verve-Sound-America-Richard-Havers/dp/0500517142? Highly recommended!

[Mika K]

For all the jazz and prog lovers out there:

http://musicfinland.fi/en/news/article/series-of-rare-70s-jazz-and-progressive-rock-recordings-released-by-svart-r

Received the first albums lately and these are really something special..

[Jimbo]

Lots there to consider Mika. Would appreciate any strong recommendations from that lot as I like 70,s jazz especially as it's all analogue!

Just bought another bike. Hope you don't mind me pop it on this post. As I know your a keen cyclist thought you might find it interesting. Great bike for summer riding in Finland?

Check out this video!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i5sJg05BJXw

[Mika K]

Hmm, that kind of bikes have been in our radar already for years partially due to gravel grinding popularity. I also ditched my road bike some years ago to have my custome Konga which can take 40mm tires for similar riding seen at the vid. Nice bike thou and very interesting option for all other "one bike to rule them all" thoughts out there :)

I ordered the whole Jazz Liisa box as those are all unreleased material and have some mighty interesting stuff there. One related album I can highly rcommend is the Unisono Lp recently also reissued by Svart http://svartrecords.com/shoppe/svart/3278-unisono-lp.html. Other might be Soulset Edward Vesala Jazz Band http://svartrecords.com/shoppe/rock-kraut-folk-pop/3273-soulset-edward-vesala-jazz-band-nykysuomalaista-lp.html.

I think you can also find these at Spotify etc for quick preview as well as the released Jazz Liisa LPs.. :)

[Mika K]

Btw I'm really looking for one debut album (or actually three of them) from artist Mikko Joensuu that will be released by Svart Records soon. Please check it out..

http://svartrecords.com/shoppe/3968-large_default/mikko-joensuu-amen-1-lp.jpg

Mikko Joensuu is the kind of singer-songwriter who’l easily stand out from the crowd. His debut album ”Amen 1” taps into the American folk music tradition, and it is all about deep and healing songs which at times give the listener an impression of spending time in quiet, intimate surroundings with people like Townes Van Zandt, Lee Hazlewood or Leonard Cohen. Arrangements are raw but beautiful: mostly just the piano and guitar accompany Mikko’s voice, with pedal steel guitars and soothing string sections paying a visit every now and then.

Mikko Joensuu’s grand solo debut is three albums long, and with part 2 appearing in late 2016 and part 3 next spring, it forms the Amen Trilogy. Joensuu, who’s spent some years in the proverbial wilderness after the split of his earlier combo Joensuu 1685, comments on the creation process of his magnum opus:

“In the summer of 2012 I built a studio in a small cabin by a lake in northern Finland. I spent a month staring towards the lake, writing and recording. During that time I realized what I had was actually three different albums, all stemming from the same state of mind, expressing various sides to the same story. From the three, Amen 1 is perhaps the most fragile. It’s an effort to find balance between great sadness and beauty, and to understand the very strange state when one’s mind is close to collapse and yet at the same time more alive than ever."

https://soundcloud.com/svart-records/mikko-joensuu-closer-my-god

[barry-potter]

can't believe no one has mentioned 'deep turtle'.

[Mika K]

During my summer vacation saw legendary band Circle live at Qstock festival. They were really awesome and also their warmup Death Hawks was good. Nice finnish psychedelic-progressive rock!

Now I'm listening Talvikuningas (=Winterking in english) by CMX, which is one of the big finnish rock bands. The album is concept album and an epic science fiction story taking place in the 25th century. See more information from wiki.. :)

http://dizw242ufxqut.cloudfront.net/images/product/001/597/1597907.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talvikuningas