Reviews reporting thread

MODERN SMOOTH JAZZ

One of the most interesting works of latest jazz i've heard along with Mindflowers ; this album called Mist Season is a solid debut album that on their own way ended combining a fusion between Spyro Gyra and The Brecker Brothers remembering the manhattan NYC jazz sound, Mist Season added this influences to a warm and pleasant for anyone that has been into jazz, and as well for the ones that didnt since the music is very digestable as for any listener searching for wise music. These musicians carries what nowadays is a must have on jazz bands, and thats the "Jazz wise" ingredient. Another interesting matter on the band sound are the "mood Swings" , most songs have very well crafted mood changes during the whole cd. Every musician seems to be inspired by a particular musician from different times, guitar reminds of mainly 80's and 90's artists... wich at times gives a Pat Metheny Group kind of feeling to some songs, following a more "rooted" melodies than most fusion bands.

I thought about doing a review song per song, but this album just needs an introduction, its clear that anyone who has listened to all sorts of jazz/Fusion bands will enjoy this band as much as i did... Its like combining the best elements from jazz and turning them into a modern crafted jazz. I gotta say im glad this band is more concerned about creating memorable songs more than doing a w**k fest of technicall soloing, like some of the bands that came out in the latest 5 years on this genre. Those who can still bring the best jazz elements and make sensual music without limitating themselves in instrumental orientations are the ones that keeps the genre growing from its initial routes.

The album is mainly a source of jazz wisdom , bringing mature music towards emotive passages on piano and a very smart Drumm playing, Kimmo really shined on the arranges for songs that could end being monotone if it wasnt for the dynamic percussion, thought its a personal taste, i always enjoyed drummers that doesnt go all noise with the cymbals and stuff like Dennis Chambers in some ocassions, and more close to the Lenny White, "romantic Warrior" playing of capturing and englobing the songs and not just add fast and noise drums...

The beginning the album has some great improvisations and interesting arrangements for each song, such as the opening track, "Peppermint Patty", "Lydia", to some classicalesque fusion on "Life is". Then the Brecker brothers and Jay Beckenstein effect starts to appear on the "Siren's Gaze", wonderful sax melodies ...Kari Rantakallio achieved the domination of the saxophone as for not using superflues notes in any of the songs...wich makes hes playing very soothing and relaxing, wich brings to the head landscape and images that are very well reflected on the art work made by Esko Tuovinen on this album , talented photographer...worthy mentioning it on the reviews cause hes artwork and photographs are breath taking, makes you feel you already know Finland. Towards the end the album goes more Electrik Band with "Skeptoscopic Detector" and then culminates into a classical passage called "Lullaby For The Little One" that does works perfectly for a closing song. I would let this band pass, its good to know that we do not have to rely on 70's jazz only, that theres indeed interesting bands appearing from everywhere that still has the same passion jazz musicians had back in the days.

Stay Classy

Very Highly Recommended

4.5 stars!

Posted Thursday, January 18, 2007, 19:02 EST | Permanent link

MODERN SMOOTH JAZZ

One of the most interesting works of latest jazz i've heard along with Mindflowers ; this album called Mist Season is a solid debut album that on their own way ended combining a fusion between Spyro Gyra and The Brecker Brothers remembering the manhattan NYC jazz sound, Mist Season added this influences to a warm and pleasant for anyone that has been into jazz, and as well for the ones that didnt since the music is very digestable as for any listener searching for wise music. These musicians carries what nowadays is a must have on jazz bands, and thats the "Jazz wise" ingredient. Another interesting matter on the band sound are the "mood Swings" , most songs have very well crafted mood changes during the whole cd. Every musician seems to be inspired by a particular musician from different times, guitar reminds of mainly 80's and 90's artists... wich at times gives a Pat Metheny Group kind of feeling to some songs, following a more "rooted" melodies than most fusion bands.

I thought about doing a review song per song, but this album just needs an introduction, its clear that anyone who has listened to all sorts of jazz/Fusion bands will enjoy this band as much as i did... Its like combining the best elements from jazz and turning them into a modern crafted jazz. I gotta say im glad this band is more concerned about creating memorable songs more than doing a w**k fest of technicall soloing, like some of the bands that came out in the latest 5 years on this genre. Those who can still bring the best jazz elements and make sensual music without limitating themselves in instrumental orientations are the ones that keeps the genre growing from its initial routes.

The album is mainly a source of jazz wisdom , bringing mature music towards emotive passages on piano and a very smart Drumm playing, Kimmo really shined on the arranges for songs that could end being monotone if it wasnt for the dynamic percussion, thought its a personal taste, i always enjoyed drummers that doesnt go all noise with the cymbals and stuff like Dennis Chambers in some ocassions, and more close to the Lenny White, "romantic Warrior" playing of capturing and englobing the songs and not just add fast and noise drums...

The beginning the album has some great improvisations and interesting arrangements for each song, such as the opening track, "Peppermint Patty", "Lydia", to some classicalesque fusion on "Life is". Then the Brecker brothers and Jay Beckenstein effect starts to appear on the "Siren's Gaze", wonderful sax melodies ...Kari Rantakallio achieved the domination of the saxophone as for not using superflues notes in any of the songs...wich makes hes playing very soothing and relaxing, wich brings to the head landscape and images that are very well reflected on the art work made by Esko Tuovinen on this album , talented photographer...worthy mentioning it on the reviews cause hes artwork and photographs are breath taking, makes you feel you already know Finland. Towards the end the album goes more Electrik Band with "Skeptoscopic Detector" and then culminates into a classical passage called "Lullaby For The Little One" that does works perfectly for a closing song. I would let this band pass, its good to know that we do not have to rely on 70's jazz only, that theres indeed interesting bands appearing from everywhere that still has the same passion jazz musicians had back in the days.

Stay Classy

Very Highly Recommended

4.5 stars!

Posted Thursday, January 18, 2007, 19:02 EST | Permanent link

Does anybody else see something odd about these reviews?