KOLI

Piirpauke have well established themselves as probably the most important Finnish world music band. Their discography is well varied and this 2010 album features a couple of original songs and several classical music pieces arranged in their own style.

Of the 12 tracks three are written by band mastermind Sakari Kukko, two are traditional Finnish folk songs and one is by Finnish folk music past stalwart Konsta Jylhä. The other half is classical music adaptations. One from Toivo Kuula (Finnish early 20th century composer, died young and violently), one from Tchaikovsky and four from Jean Sibelius. All are performed in Piirpauke's own style that combines jazz and world music full of feeling. According to liner notes (by Kukko), classical pieces here were originally inspired by folk music and thus perfect fit for Piirpauke.

Rhythmic interplay of percussionist Ismaila Sane and drummer Rami Eskelinen is superb and Jukka Orma's guitar playing covers many styles from gentle to flamenco-furious acoustic stylings to channeling Hendrix on fuzzy electric freak-outs. Sakari Kukko's reeds take most melodic responsibility and solo spots, and his playing is exemplary. What else you'd expect with decades of experience with this kind of music.

Lasting almost an hour, the album is too long for my taste (and/or attention span) and, while somewhat varied, gets too repetitive towards the end. Trimmed to 45 minutes or thereabouts it would've been near perfect.

Stylish digipak with very informative liner notes and gorgeous cover art.

Three stars. Hardly essential but well worth checking out if you like this kind of world music/jazz/prog hybrid.