TOLONEN!

This was guitar maestro Jukka Tolonen's debut record released when he was only 19 years of age. He shows surprising maturity as you would think at that age it would be a shred-fest.The year was 1971 and Jukka would also release an album with his band TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI (their second one) and then be part of WIGWAM's "Fairyport" album as a guest guitarist. He had a busy and fantastic year. Pekka Pohjola and Ronnie Osterberg both from WIGWAM guest on this album. I should also mention that the final track "Last Night" is a live tune and it features Jukka playing with WIGWAM. In the liner notes Jukka relays how Ronnie from WIGWAM was constantly asking him to join their band, but Jukka thought if he left TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI that band would break up, he felt why not have two great bands instead of just one.

"Elements - Earth / Fire / Water / Air" opens with unique and impressive sounding guitar melodies. A good rhythm before 1 1/2 minutes comes in. Piano comes and goes. I like the bass and guitar here. Piano takes over after 3 minutes, then some spinet before 4 1/2 minutes from Jukka. A calm a minute later with flute. Guitar comes in then sax before 6 1/2 minutes. Flute is back and piano ends it. Impressive track. "Ramblin" opens with bass, drums and guitar as sax plays over top. This is an uptempo song with sax leading the way early then Jukka comes in and leads on the guitar. Nice bass lines too. Sax takes the lead again late. Great sound.

"Mountains" opens with strummed guitar as sax joins in. We start to get a guitar melody before 3 minutes when the sax stops.The earlier melody of sax and strummed guitar returns to end it. "Wanderland" opens with strummed guitar as percussion, drums and bass join in. Piano and spinet also come in. Electric guitar follows. "Last Night" is the live tune with WIGWAM although Jim Pembroke isn't on it. A nice way to end the recording as Jukka lets his hair down with some steller playing.

The enjoyment level is what's keeping me from giving this a 4 star rating, even though it's an impressive debut.