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.