THE HOOK

This is solo album number three for guitarist extraordinaire Jukka Tolonen. The man can play multiple instruments and is a great composer as well. Probably why he was in the mighty WIGWAM and TASAVALAN PRESIDENTTI while doing his solo stuff. There are five horn players on this 1974 release playing various saxes along with trombone and trumpet. Flute too along with clavinet, moog and accordion besides the usual rock instruments.

The album cover represents this opener "Aurora Borealis" and it made me realize that it has decades since I've seen the northern lights. I grew up where you could see the northern sky over Georgian Bay and we saw them several times. This track is the longest one by far at almost 13 minutes. A nice heavy sound from the keyboards here as drums support, horns and synths will also take part. A catchy melody takes over just before 1 1/2 minutes and it's sax led. Back to the previous soundscape as contrasts continue. The guitar starts to solo over top then we get a calm with nothing but piano left. It then starts to build as bass and drums join the piano, then synths sounding melancholic which I like. Soprano sax takes the lead around 7 1/2 minutes then it's the guitar's turn before 9 1/2 minutes as Jukka lights it up.

The other two songs I really like are first "The Sea" with the opening and closing atmosphere that is quite heavy. Piano joins in then drums and bass. Flute will lead then guitar as well as a couple of horns in there as well soloing over top. My favourite is the title track "The Hook" with the many intricate sounds that come and go to begin with sounding very cool actually. The guitar is so good on this one as Jukka just plays and plays. Nice bass later on.

Another solid release from one of Finland's best guitarists.