PROGNOSIS

Jukka Gustavson got artistic pension from Finland state in 2014, but he really isn't retaired! He has been very active with the Wigwam Experince, naturally he also was in those Wigwam's 50ties celebration concerts. He has also had some gigs with other groups. But the greatest thing is he still composes new songs! In 2017 came very much into roots music style 'Mojomen'-album with Saxman Syrj'nen, but this year he released totally his own album. Musicians in this new album has again changed, only really talented bassplayer Janne Rajala is same as in his previous album. The guitarist Jari 'Hein' Nieminen has done his musical career mostly with crooners. The drummer Thomas T'rnroos has been Jukka's bandmate in British Standard. Anyway all these musicians are very skillfull as always in Jukka's albums.

'We Must Change' starts album quite straightforward. But after some verses the song changes more complex direction with great organ playing. The song has lots of Traffic feeling. In the next 'All Flowers Of the Spring' direction changes totally. It's really a masterpiece to all symphonic prog lovers! Starting very much renaissance classical music style this instrumental piece changes in the middle much more abstract Jukka style. Jukka plays in this his kurzwell keyboard with string sounds. 'Some Astronomers Have Seen Far' is also instrumental and first reminds a little bit Pekka Airaksises serene works. But it changes more melodic and starts to remind Jukka's 'Kadonnut H'vi'm'tt'miin' -album. 'The Great Crowd' is again more straightforward, but has complex melodies. I am not sure what crowd Jukka is singing, but I hope he's not meaning just he's own religious crowd. 'J&L' is a beautiful lovesong to Jukka's wife Leena reminding Stevie Wonder a lot.

'Turquoise Yarn Inspiration' is another masterpiece in this album! It's little bit darker than the other songs in album, but not gloomy. It has really great melodic complexity and Jari's acoustic guitar fits in it very great way. Also Janne's great melodic basssolo reminds Pekka Pohjola's great ones. When Jukka starts to sing, song changes, but this part fits just great into it. Although the song is totally different, its structure and greatness reminds me 'Losing Hold'. I wonder, could Jukka have made this longer, epic piece? 'Be Wise Realize' is another great piece with complex melodies and another great basssolo. This reminds me a little bit Wigwam's Prophet in Being album in it's structure. 'You Can't Be a Racist' is a funky song and also one of the many songs against Trump. I believe many thinks Jukka's lyrics naive, but I have always respect his honesty. He also lives like he preaches. I have heard some to say it's not very intellectual to be against Trump, but as Jukka I think bad leaders are bad leaders, no matter are they in USA or Africa. The ending 'Ode To the Poor And the Unemployed' starts sad but change very inspired with it's rising chords.

I have listened this only twice, but it has already become the greatest album of this year to me! This really rises to the group of Jukka's four stars solo albums. It's not masterpiece as his first two solos, but there are songs that are as great. It's little bit sad Jukka seems to be a little bit in the shadow of his bandmate Pekka Pohjola also in Finland and this new album hasn't got lots of attention even here. To me Jukka, Pekka Pohjola and Jean Sibelius are the greatest Finnish composers. I believe Jukka's attitude towards his great Wigwam's compositions doesn't help him to get more respect. In those Wigwam's celebration gigs only 'Losing Hold' was played from Jukka's Wigwam compositions. In Finnish magazine Jukka praised Jim Pembroke's and Pekka Rechardt compositions. It's true those two made also great music in Wigwam's seventies period, but after that it has been Jukka and Pekka Pohjola who have made the greatest music. Genius men should not be too humble! Jukka really is one of the last great ones that started in the fifties or sixties. Anyway this album is highly recommeded to those who love Wigwam's 1969-74 period!