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A cornucopia of Pohjonen

by Petri Silas

"Northern by name and Northern by nature, Kimmo is a totally unique, open artist with an illustrious career ahead of him. Based on Sensitive Skin, the future’s so bright he’d better start wearing shades."


SENSITIVE SKIN
Ondine Octopus OCTO 413-2


Versatility is one of the main factors when assessing an artist’s core value. Those capable of embracing unprecedented situations usually make their expression more fascinating and lasting. Having toured and recorded with, among others, the Kronos Quartet and former King Crimson members Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn, accordion and vocal shaman Kimmo Pohjonen is a prime example of this fearless attitude. For further evidence of the man’s creativity, look up his half a dozen albums, poignant duo pieces with dancer Minna Tervamäki or the ongoing Earth Machine Music extravaganza.

Fusing such a body of work into a coherent package would be mission impossible for most mortals. But on Sensitive Skin, helped by his trusty sidekick, percussionist Samuli Kosminen, and visionary producer James Spectrum of Pepe Deluxé fame, 50-year-old Pohjonen guides the listener through a mirrorland miraculously representing all he is now. The overall sound is more unified than on any of his previous discs. A key track is the romantic “Serenity”, a seamless meeting of the old and the new.

Northern by name and Northern by nature, Kimmo is a totally unique, open artist with an illustrious career ahead of him. Based on Sensitive Skin, the future’s so bright he’d better start wearing shades.