THE FINNISHING TOUCH

The Finnishing Touch is the LIFE LINE PROJECT album closest to jazz-rock. Like their 2008- album "Modinha" this album has a returning theme, hand-picked from the world folk literature. This time the leitmotiv consists of a simple, but charming anonymous folksong from Finland. After a short introduction in which the folksong is displayed for the first time in a beautiful melancholic mood, the band start off like a rocket in a number of jazz-rock orientated compositions, which give us high level duelling principally between the lead guitar of Jason Eekhout and the keyboards of Erik de Beer, all over a pumping rhythm section supplied by bass-player Iris Sagan and drummer Ludo de Murlanos. The chord progressions in these compositions, all written by Erik de Beer, sound warm and inviting, while the beautiful Spanish guitar, played by Jody van der Gijze gives us the necessary moments of relaxation.

After an inflamed shuffle, the only track on the album composed by Jason Eekhout, in which he proves to be a true master on his guitar, the music is quieting down in a very atmospheric and beautiful version of the Finnish folksong performed on the oboe by Dineke Visser and the grand piano by Erik de Beer.

The Missing Drink gives us once more an unchained LLP with some splendid Moog & Hammond solos opposed to some sharp-edged guitar leads. Again the oboe brings peace, this time accompanied by the warm acoustic guitar of Jody. The title track "The Finnishing Touch" is a virtuosissimo short gem on the Spanish guitar.

Little Alice & I Miss You More, two compositions dating from the late seventies, show us the more symphonic side of the Project, while Nimbo brings us a well-succeeded fusion of symphonic rock with jazz-rock influences.

The pressure is lowered in two short acoustic jazz pieces. The first one is a charming rendition of the Finnish folksong, principally played by a classical guitar. The second one is built over a chord progression by 19th century composer Fernando Sor and it's played on a copy of Sor's Panormo guitar.

Without Tears brings us a tad bit of latin with a beautiful flute part by Elsa de Beer. The Finnish Finish is in my opinion by far the best version of the Finnish folksong. It has it all. It begins quiet with a beautiful Spanish guitar, only accompanied by the keyboards, before it bursts into an unleashed folk-metal orgy. Then it slows down to a beautiful melodic symphonic electric guitar solo and it ends as a happy jig played by the mandolin and the harpsicord over a droning renaissance drum.

The bonus track "Desire" is one of the finest compositions on the album. It begins very melancholically with acoustic guitars before the oboe enters with the main theme. The song develops into a beautiful wailing electric guitar solo, alternated with flute and Moog solo's , perhaps the most symphonic composition on the album.

The Finnishing Touch is a great opportunity to discover a bit different sounding Life Line Project and I think considering both the level of the playing and the level of the compositions, that four stars are well-deserved!

Whistler.