July 2002 Archives
CD, Columbia 1990 (1968)
Track list: Nefertiti - Fall - Hand Jive - Madness - Riot - Pinocchio
Nefertiti is an album of tunes composed mostly by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, but with a distinct Miles Davis sound. The quintet (Davis, Shorter, Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams) play well together. Even when they play long solos, you don't get the feeling that they're just showing off their skills. But if you want to hear some nice, explosive drumming, check out "Hand Jive", composed by the drummer Tony Williams. "Explosive" is, in general, a good term to describe the album; "restless" would be fine, too. Wonderful work. ****
CD, Siboney 2001 (Love 1975)
Track list: Breeze - Countenance - The Daughter - Cadenza for Christina - Sandy - Havana Two
My image of Olli Ahvenlahti is the smiling man behind the piano in TV shows - but he's done much more than just showtunes for entertainment. Bandstand starts with somewhat unnoticeable "Breeze". However, you can't miss the next track: "Countenance" is the definite peak moment of the album and alone is enough to justify it's existance. It's very groovy jazzfunk tune and would be a killer on the dancefloor. Rest of the album falls only a bit short of that. ****
CD, EMI 1986
Track list: The Hunt - Lights Go Out - 51st State - All of This - Poison Street - Western Dream - Lovesongs - Heroes - Ballad - Master Race
New Model Army is one of my favourite punk bands. Their songs are melodic and catchy - anything that makes you sing along a political or social lyrics is good in my books. The vocals are excellent and the album sounds very good. My favourite tracks are the singles "51st State" and "Poison Street", but also "Lovesongs", "Western Dream" and "Heroes" are especially worth checking out. *****
CD, Atlantic 1992 (1960)
Track list: Ramblin' - Free - The Face of the Bass - Forerunner - Bird Food - Una Muy Bonita - Change of the Century
Ornette might be free, but not out of reach. I find Change of the Century quite easy to "get". And why should one care about whether the music is understood in all detail? There's groove and energy in it and it doesn't sound boring and academical. What else do you want from any music? Try songs like "Ramblin'" and "Una Muy Bonita", for example. ****
CD, Prestige 1987 (1958)
Track list: Good Bait - I Want to Talk About You - You Say You Care - Theme for Ernie - Russian Lullaby
Tempo of the tunes on this album goes from break-neck to mid-tempo to slow ballads. Little bit of something for everyone. From the intro of "Russian Lullaby", you might indeed expect a lullaby - but you'd be wrong! When Arthur Taylor's drums and Coltrane's sax kick in, the tune is nothing but sleepy. Gentler touch can be found in melancholic "Theme for Ernie", a composition dedicated to a deceased saxophonist. John Coltrane, an excellent musician on his own, is backed up with talented musicians (already mentioned Arthur Taylor, Paul Chambers on bass and Red Garland on piano) - the result is excellent, soulful jazz. ****
CD, Warner Music 2001 (1973)
Track list: Ekhnaton rakastui aurinkoon (prologi) - Herra Mirandos - Asfalttiprinssi - Mystalgia - Olet lehdetön puu - Olen hautausmaa - Lumi teki enkelin eteiseen - Atlantis - Meiran laulu - Sisämaan retkellä - Takaisin Narniaan
I've never cared much about Hector - he's boring and plays boring rock music for grownups who were listening to him back in the 70s, or something. However, I had also heard some good things about his older albums and when I saw this one in library, I took the risk and borrowed it. It was worth the risk! Herra Mirandos features two of Hector's bigger hits, "Asfalttiprinssi" and perhaps his best known and most loved song, "Lumi teki enkelin eteiseen". Which is a good song, can't deny it. But the other songs, which I had never heard, we're quite wonderful too. ****
CD, Warner Music 2001 (1972)
Track list: Yksinäinen tinasotamies - Sadepäivälaulu - Heinäpellolla - Karnevaalit - Mandoliinimies - Nostalgia osa 1 - Neitoperho - Aamukahvit - Poissaoloa - Syyskuu - Nostalgia osa 2
I didn't like Nostalgia as much as Herra Mirandos - perhaps because Nostalgia lacks the immediately obvious hits. With more listening to Nostalgia opens up a bit and turns out to be a good album, too. There are very good songs, for example the trio of "Heinäpellolla", "Karnevaalit" and "Mandoliinimies". If you're into folk-influenced pop music (and understand Finnish), give Hector a chance. ****
CD, Century Media 2002
Track list: Konevitsan kirkonkellot - Cross My Heart and Hope to Die - Brief Is the Light - Neverlasting - Aika multaa muistot (Everything Is Nothing) - Excuse Me While I Kill Myself - Blood & Tears - You Are the One - Guilt and Regret - The Luxury of a Grave - No One There
The new Sentenced album starts with a traditional Finnish folk melody, accompanied with shouting cranes. The rest of it is very Finnish, too: the grim suicide mentality of "Excuse Me While I Kill Myself" is unfortunately something very familiar to the Finnish state of mind. Sentenced used to sound heavier, now they've taken a step towards lighter sound, with clean vocals. Result: it sounds a bit like HIM, but with less sugar on top. I like it! ****
CD, Columbia 1991 (1958)
Track list: Dr. Jekyll - Sid's Ahead - Two Bass Hit - Miles - Billy Boy - Straight, No Chaser
Milestones features Miles Davis Sextet, full of very talented musicians. Therefore it's no wonder they get the songs swinging very nicely. Tunes differ from each other a lot, most notable being "Billy Boy" with it's clinking piano. Two of the six songs are written by Miles. Wonderful playing (for example some very nice bowed bass), good songs, great swing, what else do you want? ****
