Archives of FMQ - Finnish Music Quarterly

From runo roots to the UZone lair

From runo roots to the UZone lair

From runo roots to the UZone lair

"The JuuriJuhla-RotFest (Roots Festival) takes place in Espoo each year and says it has its own roots in the pelimanni folk dance music, although most of the concerts range much wider. It featured top names on the Finnish roots music scene."

Simon Broughton

April 14, 2021

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