A brilliant set from Finnish arranger Kerkko Koskinen – one with loads of deep jazzy textures, and a feel that's almost like some lost European soundtrack of the late 50s! The arrangements are tight, but never overwhelming – so that the ensemble's soloists have plenty of room to stretch out in creative patterns of their own – mixing in some great modern jazz modes that really deepen the feeling of the whole record – with elements that remind us of the best Swedish or French jazz experiments of the 50s! Players include Jukka Eskola on trumpet, Timo Lassy on tenor and flute, and Kerkko Koskinen himself on cembalo – and the record's got some especially evocative vibes from Penu Savolainen, who handles his instrument with these sharp chromatic tones that are mighty nice. Titles include "Day Train", "The Answer", "Night Train", "Calling Mrs Aagaard", "Taipan March", and "Modern Single Man". ~ Dusty Groove
JOE LOCKE / GEOFFREY KEEZER GROUP - SIGNING
Joe Locke's vibes, and some great work on Fender Rhodes and piano from Geoffrey Keezer – wrapped up beautifully in a mode that makes for one of the best records from either player in a number of years! From the notes, it's clear that the album's definitely a co-led session – with different arrangements and compositions contributed from each player – a nice sense of depth that really allows for some complex tones from the piano and vibes – styles that go way past the obvious! Rhythms are a part of this too – thanks to simple, effective touches from Mike Pop on electric and acoustic bass, and Terreon Gully on drums – and titles include "Hide & Seek", "Naima", "Darth Alexis", "The Lost Lenore", and "Signing". ~ Dusty Groove.
HAWTHORNE HEADHUNTERS – MYRIAD OF NOW
Electro funk, boogie soul and spacey hip hop from Hawthorne Headhunters – completely delivering on the promising earlier EP and rivaling the best of their similarly-traveling peers – particularly Plug Research labelmate Shafiq Husayn, along with leftfield funk leaders Dam Funk and Georgia Anne Muldrow – and we do not take those comparisons lightly! The Hawthorne Headhunters started as more of a freewheeling collective, though here as more of a partnership between Coultrain and Black Spade. 70s jazz funk, 80s synth soul and otherwise spacey sounds and the insistent underlying bounce of the best hip hop continue to inform the sound. Titles include "Sum People Don't Change", "Collage" feat Rockwell Knuckles & Tef Po, "Luv Galactic" feat I Am, "Teleport", "Yellow Cougar", "Whirlwind", "Ghostfields", "Fairweather" feat Von Pea & Haz Solo, "Hole In The World", "Tribute" and more. ~ Dusty Groove
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