UOMA

UZVA are a seven piece band out of Finland and this is their third and final album and in my opinion their best. Zappa did come to mind at times but this really is the sound UZVA has worked towards from their beginnings. We get some guests adding violins, cello, harp, bassoon and drums. The main band offers up a plethora of instrumental sounds including marimba, percussions, vibes, sax, flute, bass clarinet and clarinet. I thought at first there was no keyboards but then saw that we get piano on tracks 5 and 6 only surprisingly. Talk about going out on a high though, without question this recording needs to be mentioned with the best albums coming out of Finland.

Seven tracks over almost 72 minutes but out of these we get a three track suite that opens the album, a two track suite and then another three piece suite late. I like what Sean Trane says about this one as being more electric and jazzier than the previous two, in other words right up my alley. Highlight has to be the last part of that late three track suite called "Vesikko". It's the longest tune at almost 13 minutes on it's own, add another ten minutes for the first two parts of this suite. This track features some incredible guitar work that is almost surprising given the way the record sounds previous. So moving and it's hard to find the words to be honest. This really is a feast for the ears this album. Released in 2006 this was a breath of fresh air no doubt.