KOLI

The legendary Jazz / World Music hybrid PIIRPAUKE from Finland is still going strong, this is one of their recent albums. Sakari Kukko (saxes, flutes, keyboards) and percussionist Ismaila Sane are accompanied this time by the rhythm section from the jazz group TRIO TÖYKEÄT and guitarist Jukka Orma, who has a many-sided career in rock (such as Hassisen Kone and Sielun Veljet) and jazz. Guest appearances are made by a trumpetist on three tracks and a vocalist (Meissa Niang) on four other tracks. They don't have very big roles in the arrangements, except the African vocals on one track.

'Blue Alma' is composed by Toivo Kuula (1883-1918) but the arrangement and the sound is unmistakably Piirpauke's. Orma's electric guitar has brought a new ingredient into it. 'Paimenen polska' is a cheerful traditional, resembling some early Piirpauke stuff from the mid-seventies, but the percussion is very lively, almost African-sounding. The flute part is pure Nordic folk. Kukko composition 'Kaustinen-Dakar' flows at first peacefully like a river but grows into very lively African- style music featuring also the African male vocals.

'Romance' is originally a Tchaikovsky tune which has become familiar also as a song arrangement. Here the saxophone is in the lead role in a tasty 8-minute version including improvisational elements. The next three tracks are composed by Jean Sibelius. 'Musette' is very fresh jazz number starring flute. 'Rondino' and 'Romanssi' are beautiful, relaxed arrangements of relatively familiar classical tunes, both with a saxophone lead. After Kukko's happy-natured Sibelius tribute 'Ainola Festivo' comes one of the best known Sibelius compositions: 'Valse Triste' works surprisingly well as an emotionally strong, unique Piirpauke arrangement.

'Lo-hi' is another good Kukko composition with rich sonic texture. The instrument reminding a violin must be that gopi yantra I've never heard of. The rest of the album flirts with the traditional Finnish folklore. All in all, a very pleasant album featuring the usual Piirpauke elements, without trying to bring anything radically new. In fact, Jukka Orma's guitar could have been more upfront as it is in the opening track.

Piirpauke have well established themselves as probably the most important Finnish world music band. Their discography is well varied and this 2010 album features a couple of original songs and several classical music pieces arranged in their own style.

Of the 12 tracks three are written by band mastermind Sakari Kukko, two are traditional Finnish folk songs and one is by Finnish folk music past stalwart Konsta Jylhä. The other half is classical music adaptations. One from Toivo Kuula (Finnish early 20th century composer, died young and violently), one from Tchaikovsky and four from Jean Sibelius. All are performed in Piirpauke's own style that combines jazz and world music full of feeling. According to liner notes (by Kukko), classical pieces here were originally inspired by folk music and thus perfect fit for Piirpauke.

Rhythmic interplay of percussionist Ismaila Sane and drummer Rami Eskelinen is superb and Jukka Orma's guitar playing covers many styles from gentle to flamenco-furious acoustic stylings to channeling Hendrix on fuzzy electric freak-outs. Sakari Kukko's reeds take most melodic responsibility and solo spots, and his playing is exemplary. What else you'd expect with decades of experience with this kind of music.

Lasting almost an hour, the album is too long for my taste (and/or attention span) and, while somewhat varied, gets too repetitive towards the end. Trimmed to 45 minutes or thereabouts it would've been near perfect.

Stylish digipak with very informative liner notes and gorgeous cover art.

Three stars. Hardly essential but well worth checking out if you like this kind of world music/jazz/prog hybrid.