JUKKA HAURU

For the fusion-minded listeners, this is an interesting item in the Pop Liisa series (or Jazz Liisa, which would have been equally suitable for these acts), ie. the seventies' live performances recorded in the Liisankatu Studios, Helsinki, originally broadcast on the Finnish radio and finally released by Svart Records in the 2010's. The two series are almost like a "who's who" of the Finnish prog and jazz/fusion scenes of the seventies.

Although it was naturally more common to have one band per show (of approximately 36-40 minutes length, at least on the releases), some of the live dates featured two artists, and this was the case in December 15th, 1976. Guitarist and composer JUKKA HAURU (b. 1950) was added into ProgArchives roughly four years ago. He released two albums, Information (1972) and Episode (1975). Especially the debut's instrumental music has been compared to the likes of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report and Frank Zappa. This Liisankatu gig however contains a single 17-minute epic piece which was never recorded for a studio album, 'Günther Angst, Parts 1-6'. The sextet consists of Hauru (electric guitar), Juhani Poutanen (violin), Eero Ojanen (piano), Tapani Tamminen (double bass), Esko Rosnell (drums) and Ari Valtonen (percussion).

The violinist Poutanen was Hauru's primary collaborator on Information, and his playing is in a big role here too. Also other instruments get solistic spots in this complex piece wandering in the outskirts of free jazz. Round the sixth minute there's a beautiful calmer section first starring piano and double bass, then evolving into a delicate duet for violin and double bass played with a bow, joined later by a gentle guitar and light percussion, before shifting into a more fiery movement. Progheads may get some associations of the Larks-era King Crimson, in addition to Mahavishnu Orchestra. The liner notes reveal that right at the start of the gig, the E-string of Hauru's guitar broke. Hardly anyone noticed it, but probably because of that accident Hauru looked angry in the end when the audience applauded. A few years later he quit playing altogether and pursued a career as a music critic.

As another fusion guitarist, Arto "NONO" SÖDERBERG (b. 1945) was a natural pairing for Jukka Hauru. The guitarist and composer is accompanied by the keyboard maestro Esa Kotilainen (who at the time had played in Wigwam), saxophonist Reijo Ylinen, plus bass, drums and percussion. Söderberg's had a long and many-sided career since the sixties but he released his debut solo album Nono no sooner than in 1976. Both pieces heard in this gig are taken from that instrumental pop-jazz / fusion album. The lively and funky 'Tide' gives a refreshing contrast to the more demanding and ambiguous stuff of Hauru's sextet. Very nice groove in this 8-minute piece, almost twice as long as the album version. 'Seagull' is a calmer piece with laid-back soaring melodies reminiscent of CAMEL and SANTANA. Kotilainen's synth solo is cool, and the soprano saxophone takes its place harmonically. The congas of Esa Roswall sound very nice too. Have to say I personally prefer the Söderberg set.

On the CD this Pop Liisa 05 is combined with Pop Liisa 06: Finnforest and Elonkorjuu (1977) -- my review for that is to be expected.

If your into Zappa influenced music this is a really, really good one out of Finland. Jukku is a guitarist extraordinaire and he plays in Frank's style at times but not always and this guy is exceptional. He released 2 studio albums in the seventies and this is the debut from 1972. Lots of musicians helped him out over the month of July when he recorded this. Plenty of sax and we get bass and double bass and yes this is quite jazzy. I was thrilled to see that the violinist on here is Juhani Poutanen the leader of the band JUPU GROUP who's album I just reviewed last week. We get that zany Finnish humour like on the closer "Waltz For The Straight Relatives" or the outstanding but short "Jamsession The Finnish Yes Federation's Skinheaded Board" where we get some incredible female scat singing.

Best song for me is "Splitting" with that nasty distorted electric piano along with Jukku's guitar work makes this a must hear. "What ?" is another winner but there's lots of those on here. The jazzy groove before the electric piano and guitar trade off then we get this uptempo soundscape of double bass, drums and the guitar lighting it up. Distorted electric piano too. Yes! Our very excellent violinist does his thing on the title track an uptempo and repetitive track with a Zappa vibe. More of that violin and Zappa like guitar on "Evil". Some humour with those funny vocal expressions that come and go on "No More Blues". So much going on late. So impressive. Suspense and Avant with the short "Room 1972" and what a great title. The opener has an Asian vibe at times and I like when it turns into a "Rock" mode late to the end.

Another awesome Jazz influenced album from the seventies. More please!

Nice to see this Finnish guitarist added here. Nowadays Jukka Hauru is best remembered, at least by common Finns, as a music critic. His career as a musician - active mainly in the late 60's and the 70's - had an emphasis on being a session/live guitarist for several groups and artists. In the early 70's he also was a producer for a brief period (notorious for rejecting the future-classic prog band Haikara; in the end he only produced the Kalevala debut and his own debut!). Later he composed some songs for e.g. KOM Teatteri. Hauru's solo ouput consists of two albums only, Information (1972) and this one released by Love Records in 1975. Both are instrumental fusion comparable to Frank Zappa or Mahavishnu Orchestra. It's sad how few people, apart from the critics, noticed his albums at the time, maybe because Jukka Tolonen (Tasavallan Presidentti, solo) was THE guitar hero back then.

The opening track 'Enema Syringe' is a groovy, lively, fast-paced piece. At first it seems to focus self-poignantly on Hauru's guitar skills, but the whole group is totally involved, and also synths have solo moments. 'When I Met My Wondergirl' lives up to its charming title as a dreamy and romantic composition. These two tracks feature the bass legend Pekka Pohjola and the saxophone legend Pekka Pöyry. 'Waltz Bourgeois' contains lots of saxes played by Teemu Salminen. This is my least favourite; it attempts to be witty and humorous without really taking off.

The whole B-side was composed earlier than the A-side, ie. in the autumn of 1973, after the military takeover in Chile. As one can guess, the music is more 'serious' and complex, especially in the 12½-minute 'Episode (Santiago 11.9. 73)'. Sonically it sometimes reminds me of early Pekka Pohjola albums such as Pihkasilmä Kaarnakorva or Harakka Bialoipokku. 'Elegy (for Victor Jara)' is a beautiful, moody piece in a slow tempo, starring bright guitar and electric piano sounds. 'Goodbye Pinochet' is the shortest track at three minutes, and easy to enjoy by any listener who likes jazz.

Episode is not a faultless masterpiece, but it's a strong work with excellent musicianship, and the music has good balance between technics and emotion. The album was re-released on vinyl in 2016.