PIIRPAUKE 2

In May and September 1976 Piirpauke recorded their sophomore work simply entitled ''2''.The album features the familiar line-up of Kukko/Hytti/Walli/Wasama, this time though without any guest musicians helping aside.''2'' was released in November 76' on Love Records for the Finnish market and on Svenska Love Records for the Swedish one and, as stated by the group, it is dedicated to the national liberation movements worldwide.

As expected after such a statement, Piirpauke have filled an album with traditional tunes from all over the world.''Laulu'' is a short but excellent melancholic tune from East Karelia in Russia, based on the great work on sax and bells.Two Greek traditional interpretations follow, ''Sirtos'' from the district of Rumeli, based on Kukko's magnificent performance on bouzouki, and ''Fyssouni'' from the area of Epirus, which Piirpauke have transformed into a Folk/Fusion hybrid akin to ARCHIMEDES BADKAR's works.''Prazider adeus'' is a Lounge jazzy Brazilian melody with little to offer, sounds closer to a ballad, yet featuring an excellent guitar solo by Walli.The flute- and percussion-based ''Agjer'' is an archaic-styled improvised melody, exactly in the same style comes the opener of the second side ''Pealdoaivi''.The 11-min. ''Penang'' is an original Piirpauke composition, dedicated to the fight for the black people's rights in South Africa.So this piece contains plenty of African percussion and flutes for the most of its part, but towards the end it suddenly becomes an Electric-Fusion monster with superb drumming, bass and guitars in full energy.The closer ''Imala maika'' is a Bulgarian folk tune with great flutes and light piano in a delicate and beautiful melody.

Another strong work by Piirpauke, epitomizing how Folk Music can stand next to some Jazz/Fusion ideas.A great piece of art for all lovers of music with both ethnic and jazzier tastes.