We’ve been utterly transfixed by the sounds coming from the Finnish underground of late, documented by our new favourite label Ultraaani. Running the gamut from sparse, Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru-esque piano + drone to full throttle free jazz, these releases are usually in runs of 300, with hand-screenprinted sleeves. Think the fierce independence of Sun Ra’s Saturn label crossed with the benign beligerance of musicians clearly doing whatever they want to do. This label opens the door to an utterly beautiful new world for us and now for you too.
A quick summary for you…
Juho Toivonen’s sparse, piano and synth excursions feel like Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru’s joined the most meditative moments of Sun Ra, alone at a piano battling a wall of subdued tape hiss and rain. Stunning stuff.
Luthier Rauno Nieminen makes and plays his own instruments as Olli Aarni and the result is simple and utterly beguiling. Zither-like, twinkly and sparkly the music here is transfixion embodied, sure to root one to the earth and connect to the universe.
The only release not on Ultraaani but actually consisting of the afore mentioned Juho Toivonen, this is deep submersive and submerged drones for oceanic summonings. Gorgeous and with a paste-on cardboard sleeve.
Easily one of the most accessible and gorgeous releases of this load, Oiro Pena is the work of A. E. Vauhkonen, a flute-playing wizard who across four tracks on a classic Jazz 10″ sends consitent shivers and delight down the spine.
Ville Lahteenmäki Trio bring to mind all the classic free-blowin’ Jazz, though the clarinet is the lead instrument here, constantly blasting off into the acid-scarred corners of the mind. Wild, free abandon.
It’s Rock, Jim, but now as we know it. The Ville Pirinen Combat School provide what is the most “conventional” music of this drop but it’s still super inventive, lo fi, DIY psychedelic and pretty damn tuneful duo rock. Awesome stuff and a big Russell tip.