Two great radio sessions from early 70s Finland – both of which present the extremely creative jazz sounds going on in that scene at the time! First up are the
Jukka Tolonen Ramblin Jazz Band – a group who might sound trad or old-timey from their name, but who have a very freewheeling approach to their music – showcased here on two very long songs! The music features both acoustic and electric guitar from
Tolonen – a player you might know from his famous sessions for the Love Records label – and although the group also features bass and violin, the strings are balanced out by very strong horn performances – by Mike Koskinen on trumpet and Pekka Poyry on flute, alto, and soprano sax! These instruments bring in some bolder colors, and give the music a rich tonal quality – and the group also draws a lot from the two drummer/
percussionists, Reino Laine and Ronnie Osterberg. Titles include the lovely "Warm Trip With Taija", and the more jamming "Ramblin". Next up are the Kom Quartet – a heady group from the Finnish scene of the 70s – one who've got a political bent in their lyrics, and a fiercely fusion sound in their instrumentation! The tunes all feature lyrics originally written in Swedish by Claes Andersson, but translated into Finnish by the group – and sung by Eija Orpana, a female singer with a freewheeling vibe that almost reminds us of Norma Winstone at times – especially in her ability to slide into the group's electric piano, bass, and guitar lines – which are plenty jamming at some points, in a very rock fusion mode! Titles include "Varo Niita", "Interviewed", "Ala Tuhlaa Aikaa", and "Mita Sina Sanotkaan".