We Jazz Finland 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Finland's exceptional We Jazz label continues with 'Tremendoce' series from Otis Sandsjo's Y-OTIS with four fresh new pieces pressed up to this vital 7". All of the tunes here are super fresh and forward-thinking with Kathrin Pechlof on harp adding another dimension to the sound. The joys flute on 'Tremendoce Part 2' is light and airy, the drums busy and meandering. 'Part 3' is a chunkier, slower tune with a big sax lead that makes you move your body and then 'Skerry Part 1' brings the mellifluous piano vibes. 'Skerry Part 2' layers up big kick drums with lurching grooves and busy oboe work to make for some superb avant-garde action.

Review: Berlin-based Swedish tenor saxophonist Otis Sandsjo is back with another of his brilliant albums. Y-OTIS TRE is his third on We Jazz Records and one that finds him working closely with his old work partner, pal, bassist and producer Petter Eldh, plus the live band keys-man Dan Nicholls. Crafted and produced by Eldh & Sandsjo, the album embraces the band's Swedish roots within the continuum of layered liquid jazz. It has a neon, 3D essence, morphing from laser sharp to gooey like jelly, and each track is ripe with evolutionary ideas though also remains rooted in recognisable forms, cross-referencing its own concepts but never repeating. With a mixtape-like DNA, the music teems with vibrant colours and acoustic depth and blurs boundaries between live performance and studio innovation.

Review: Finnish drummer/Producer Teppo "Teddy Rok" Makynen returns with his alias The Stance Brothers. Lauded by the likes of Kenny Dope and Gilles Peterson, Makynen's studio creation has been visible on the 7" format during the recent years. Now, Makynen is back with a full LP, the project's first in more than ten years. Duktus is a treasure-trove for everyone into crunchy jazz funk a la Bob James & CTI, but this is no retro exercise. Teddy Rok moves forward in all directions, constantly bringing new elements into his sound, which is more layered and deep than ever before. At the same time, the crunch & the breaks are there when you need them.