Stories by

The second album of Karuna, a trio of accordion, piano and nyckelharpa, is even more stylish and secure than their debut. The musicians are all superb: Teija Niku (acc), Juha Kujanpää (pf) and Esko Järvelä (nyckelharpa).

The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra is now working up even more steam with a view to enhancing its international reputation.

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

The performance of Rautavaara's Flute Concerto with Sharon Bezaly, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, and Dima Slobodeniouk is enjoyable in its richness of instrumental colours.

Crossover has been like a red rag to a bull for many a serious-minded contemporary music buff. Nevertheless, the crossover products of the present decade speak of a respect for difference, and of the multidimensional aspect of both the present day and ourselves.

This is a brilliant recording made up of scraps of information, gems from the archives and the contributions of contemporary speakers of the Helsinki lingo.

Sometimes a record gives you the impression of sneaking into a secret place, in this case maybe a small house in the forest with a light scent of smoke in the walls.

There’s a real sense of narrative in the music as Kastinen moves between the different instruments in her improvisations, and combines different playing techniques with bows and plucking, slides, sticks and mutes as well as using her own breath.

The album shows great potential in songwriting, singing and production – watch this space.