We’ve been deeply immersed in these mind-cleansing and particle-shaking records that just landed from Finland on Ultraaani Records. A few months back we had our first instalment which absolutely flew out, so stay ON it?
Oiro Pena’s 10″ was one of the big hitters from the first batch and now, on this new(ish) long player Beke they’ve fully launched into Cosmic inner/outer space. There’s more distinct melodicism while remaining absolutely locked in to that sense of purpose they’ve had. A lot of this reminds me of the more obscure Spiritual Jazz cuts that Jazzman have been compiled for the last decade. There are group vocals that bring a powerful congeniality and sense of togetherness., some amazing searching saxophone that reminds me of David S. Ware’s Surrender. Astounding to be honest with you. Screenprinted sleeve, paste-on info sheet and screenprinted insert.
Phardah was a new name to me, pitched by the label as a more Free Jazz proposition. Two side-long compositions that burrow deep into the night, dripping stars and light fragments over the instruments. This isn’t a late-60’s skronk-a-thon though: the guitar playing and double bass interact with a drummer who adores his toms to create this elastic, locked-down but mutable rhythm that reminds us a little of Sonny Sharrock. Side 2’s Touch Of The Spheres is TRULY blast off material. If you thought Village of Skulls (the Side A offering) had that Sonny directive, here the group ebb and explode into melted streams of guitar and sax before remerging with a tripped out groove replete with echo-guitar and an almost Gabor Szabo rhythm. Truly a class act. Beautiful packaging too: silver screenprint on glossy sleeve, pink obi + fold-out insert. Sold out at source
Lastly, we’re kicking ourselves for not ordering more of this one. Lightman is a mysterious Finnish producer who channels the great dubmasters for his own brew of lo fi, heavy dub music slathered with melodica, echo and organ on Trombi. “Finland’s Augustus Pablo” somehow sounds really authentic in that Lee Perry’s-bombers-might-land-on-the-mixing-desk way but also has a touch of the contemporary, specially if you were into that Sun Araw / The Congos kind of revival that happened a few years ago. Instrumental, with a really gravitational pull on the bass frequencies. Each copy is screen printed and made up of recycled sleeves. In an age of perennial exposure and oversharing, it’s kinda nice that these kinda subterranean grooves stay just out of reach. 600 only, last copies. Also love that they’ve strictly prohibited digital versions of this so you’ll have to take your chances. Trust us on this.