YÖ KYÖPELINVUORELLA

Undoubtedly the best known albums of this legendary Finnish group mixing world music, folk, rock, jazz and even classical music are the first two, Piirpauke (1975) and Piirpauke 2 (1976). Recorded in 1979, Yö Kyöpelinvuorella / Night on Bald Mountain was the group's third studio album and featured a new line-up. The founding members Sakari Kukko (saxophones, flute, clarinet, keyboards) and Jukka Wasama (drums, percussion) were joined by guitarist Juha Björninen and Jukka's brother Olli-Pekka Wasama on double bass. Gone were some exotic instruments heard on the first two albums. The music is somewhat tighter and more in line with the groovy jazz fusion of the era. So, at least for the fusion listeners, inclusing those who are perhaps less keen on the band's ethnic/world music orientation, this is absolutely among the most recommendable Piirpauke albums.

'Macedonian Twist' is a joyful piece with Kukko's selection of wind instruments in the spotlight. Jazz/fusion with folk elements, slightly comparable to swedish Kebnekajse. The next piece is a gorgeous interpretation of a Finnish classic piano composition, Oskar Merikanto's 'Soi veinosti murheeni soitto' (Sweet Is the Sound of My Sorrow) from the 1890's. The melancholic melodies soar passionately, highlighting the electric guitar work that even the fans of Pink Floyd/ David Gilmour would enjoy.

'Anglais Ranne Mo Mari' bursts with happy jazz fusion energy and contains solos from both Kukko and Björninen. 'Juhan biisi' (Juha's Piece) was composed by Björninen. It's a dynamic, happy-natured and elegant fusion piece with juicy solos for electric piano, soprano sax and electric guitar. The 7½-minute title track composed by Kukko combines mysticism and vital jazz-rock very fluently. 'Zumba Que Zumba' draws from Latin rhythms. The long and lovely flute solo is followed by a Santana-reminding guitar solo.

The album's cosmopolitan musical journey finally takes us to Eastern Europe. 'Búzam Szól a Kecskeméti' is originally by a Hungarian gipsy musician Pista Dankó who lived in the 19th century. For the type of the material this one and 'Bulgarian Dance' represent the lively ethnic orientation typical to Piirpauke also in the later decades, but the fusion listeners will have better time here. This line-up was over even before the album was released. Björninen joined Pekka Pohjola's group.