HYSTERICA

The founder of legendary finish Tasavallan Presidentti and also appear on two Wigwam albums, Jukka Tolonen is one of the most respected and well known guitarist ever came from Finland, and why not from Europe. Under his name he release some more then respectable albums in jazz rock/progressive rock field , one of them is Hysterica from 1975. Hysterica like previous two albums is an acclaimed release both by fans as for crititcs aswell. To me is a very worthy jazz rock album, with a touch of his distinct tone not far from bluesy atmosphere. Some killer musicinship here, is obvious because we have here on bass Pekka Pohjola and on drums Esko Rosnell, while on keyboards appear Esa Kotilainen+ lots of other instrunets, trumpet, trombone, sax. The music is quite challenging with blistering guitar chops and fairly intelligent keyboards, the opening track, the most bluesy of the album , a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, is a worthy one but what is to come is most consistent and intresting, the title track, Hysterica, Tiger or Silva the cat are excellent jazz rock/progressive rock pieces that stands among the best of the genre, really high calibre musicianship and interludes between musicians. An almost essential album bith in his catalogue and in this musical field, definetly woth to be discovered. 4 stars for sure. nice art work.

A year after The Hook, on which band leader and composer Jukka Tolonen takes a step further away from his folk and world music-tinged preferences toward harder, heavier rock.

1. "Jimi" (9:30) quite an obvious homage and imitation to rock guitar's greatest trailblazer and innovator, the rhythm section is surprisingly sparse (much less chaos than that which Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell routinely generated) and Jukka's performance is far less dynamic or technically impressive than Jimi's easy-going temporal mastery. This, unfortunately, the first half of this song feels like a teenage garage band's early attempts at exploring Jimi territory. Since Jukka was 23-years old at the time of these recording sessions, I must admit to being a little disappointed. And, no: even with warmup and synchronizing, the trio never really achieve those magical, masterful levels of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. (17.125/20)

2. "Django" (2:34) blues-rock musical motif that is set up to make room to show off Jukka's fast, clean-picking electric guitar prowess--with, of course, a bit of the folk-jazz perspective that Django Reinhardt was known for. There is quite a little in Jukka's style and sound that would compare him to Steely Dan stalwarts Denny Dias and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter as well. There just needs to be something a little more to elevate this song into a finished or fully-developed state. (8.875/10)

3. "Hysterica" (6:33) entering the fray of full-on rock-oriented jazz-rock. Nice horn section arrangements, nice drumming from Esko Rosnell, and impressive guitar play from Jukka--at times sounding a bit like Steve Howe, at others like a caffeinated B.B. King. Overall, the song has a bit of a cheesy television soundtrack/advertisement sound and feel, but the skill levels are pretty high with the band hitting all the changes and speed demands with admirable synchronization. Esa Kotilainen's MiniMoog solo in the last 90 seconds makes the song sound a lot like something from American band Starcastle. (8.875/10)

4. "Tiger" (7:02) opens with a fast-moving blues rock bass line (courtesy of Pekka Pohjola) repeating itself over and over in an unusual time signature as other instruments slowly, carefully join him. By the time the second minute rolls around there are percussion (agogo!), Hammond organ, saxes, and guitar playing a jazz-rock "Peter Gunn"-like motif. Airy flutes take over at the top of the motif in the third minute for a bit before a bridge takes us into a more R&B-like motif over which Pekka performs a brief but impressive bass solo before the horns take their turns. I love the awesome abrasive rhythm guitar strum-striking Jukka is doing here! Then Jukka finally takes a solo: it's okay. (I don't really like the Stephen Stills-like muted jazz guitar sound he's chosen here.) Great drumming from Esko Rosnell throughout. What an awesome rhythm section! This song makes me wish Pekka Pohjola were around for the whole album (which is not always my reaction to Pekka's presence). Easily the best song on the album: just great from start to finish. Even the cat-like cacophony at the end with Jukka rock-soloing over it is entertaining. (14.25/15)

5. "Silva The Cat" (4:50) a song that was even released as a 45-rpm single back in the day, it's cute and melodic, quite simple, tow-chord song--which makes it understandable that is would/could be popular as a teeny-bopper radio dance tune. The fuzz guitar soloing over the top from the second half of the second minute to the is, to my ears, a bit annoying. I'm also not really happy with this simplistic tune on a Jazz-Rock Fusion album: it feels as if Jukka is pandering, debasing himself by selling out to the pressures for mass popularity, lowering his standards to an embarrassing level. (But, then, so many artists were doing the same--succumbing to the pressures from their record companies to try to make money.) (8.5/10)

6. "Windermere Avenue" (7:15) slowed down and straightened out, the sound and feel of this one almost lands this in Yacht Rock territory. The folky reeds and synth weave and Surfer Rock bass melody seem to substantiate this. Jukka's guitar solo doesn't start until the fourth minute and it's a bit smooth and easy--like a 461 Ocean Boulevard-era Eric Clapton solo. The main piano-based melody keeps bringing me into easy listening crossover country-rock tunes and artists like "Rhinestone Cowboy," Kenny Rogers, and even Charlie Rich. (13.25/15)

Total Time: 37:44

One great song (that would become a concert staple and much-covered song by other up-coming artists over the decades), three solid if-odd ones, and two "throw away" songs does not, in my opinion, make for a great album. After his previous two solo efforts, I find myself greatly disappointed with this one (the growth was not as significant as I'd hoped for and, perhaps, expected).

B/four stars; a sorely inconsistent album of eclectic styles and sounds that proves to be quite a disappointment after the promise shown by Jukka's previous two albums. Recommended for "Tiger" and the three other solid, if-less-jazzy jams.