Aleksi Heinola Quintet

Released some time ago, this is an interesting freeze listen, as it illustrates the kind of jazz that has come in from the cold and is beginning to settle in our Latin lands. A Finnish bop quintet that hasn’t yet hit the woods, all the more reason to take a stroll..

Soberly entitled Aleksi Heinola Quintet, this recording made at the Helsinki auditorium presents us with a pure hard-bop quintet led by the drummer who gives his name to the ensemble, whose more than northern origins might make us wonder.

We’d be both right and wrong, for behind his skins, the drummer takes us on a high-flying jazzystic jaunt that could easily stand comparison with US bands of the same caliber.

Following in the footsteps of Art Blakey and Horace Silver, these five swing their bop jazz with an impeccable rhythm section served and flourished by an omnipresent pianist whose accompaniment/relaxation game serves the ensemble marvelously, and in particular the saxophonist, whose interventions are also brilliant (Rudy).

Two very lively blowers, backed up by a top-notch rhythm section, all set to lively themes that allow for brilliant exposition and interpretive dexterity. Note the trumpet chorus on Silver Maze.

The full range of instrumental tessituras is explored, and all without unnecessary repetition or overabundant frills. Phrasing and ensemble placement worthy of a very good quintet in this style.

Complementarity is assured on Chasing The Spirit‘s ensemble choruses.

Seven of the nine compositions are penned by the drummer, who shows a definite talent for writing in addition to his assumed role as stage director.

The compositions are classic in their genre, but the interpretations are enriched by the revival of excellent hard-bop.

The final track, Drift, is a perfect example.

A beautiful elk in the land of elks!

Finnish jazz is showing its icy snout, and we must take a closer look. These jazzmen from the cold have a lot to tell us. We’ll be talking about it.