KESÄMAA

Though Magneettimiehen kuolema seems to be more famous - due to Tasavallan Presidentti playing on it? -, both of Pekka Streng's albums are very interesting works mixing psychedelic pop and jazz rock. In that sense they are a perfect example of the innovative, fruitful period of the early 70's LOVE RECORDS; the top class jazz instrumentalists grace also this album, such as Pekka Pöyry (fl), Eero Koivistoinen (sax) and Olli Ahvenlahti (keyb). I have the cd containing both albums, but I think this one is more dear to me. Less dark and psychedelic and closer to children's music (I mean GOOD, artistic children's music!). For example 'Mimosaneito' and 'Ja Tuittu ruusut sai' (the latter based on Tove Jansson's text) could be used as lullabies, and 'Auringon lapsi' (The Children of the Sun) shows Streng's close relationship to a child's world. Overall the lyrics are beautifully naiive, romantic and mysterious. Here's a rough translation of 'Serenadi':

"You're a flight of a swallow / you're a cloud up high / you're a warm rain / You're the scent of freedom / you're the key of fairy tales / you're the bridge of dreams".

'Perhonen' (Butterfly) and 'Puutarhassa' (In the Garden) are lively jazzy songs with faster tempo. 'Kanttorinpoika Max' is lyrically the darkest, narrating of an organist's son chained to an organ in the cellar. But it's not too gloomy, not at all out of place amidst lighter and laid- back little tunes. Maybe my favourite song is 'Annabella', a slow-tempoed, romantic little tale of a nightly meeting. It has a lovely flute playing. If this all appeals to your tastes, I warmly recommend to find the cd containing both albums. Only, I don't know how marketable this is to non-Finnish listeners. It would help to print lyric translations because the music and lyrics intertwine in an unseparable way. Rest In Peace, Pekka Streng.