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cd of the month
Iiro Rantala New Trio

Iiro Rantala New Trio

One of the great pleasures I get from doing what I do within the jazz scene is discovering new contacts, new artists and exceptional new music.

I met Henk van Leeuwen in Melbourne earlier this year at a John Surman concert. We kept in touch and I very pleased to say that Henk sent me half a dozen excellent new European jazz releases a few weeks ago.

One of them has been in constant repeat on my player this week and I am still enjoying it immensely. It is wonderful to hear jazz - a music that is 100 years old now - being remolded into something new without losing it's jazz sensibility. Iiro Rantala is a Finish keyboard player who comes from the European classical music tradition but has a deep love for jazz, rock and pop. These three elements are combined to stunning effect on this cd but what takes this release up to the next level is the use of "Human Beatbox" Felix Zenger to provide the beats. The trio is rounded out with Marzi Nyman on guitar who strides between touching ballad licks to searing rock solos.

The three musicians combine effortlessly keeping one enthralled with constantly changing tempos and structures. The wonderfully moving ballad "Aino" has sparse acoustic piano to start; slowly the guitar effects subtly come in the tune takes shape. A wonderfully loud mid section with Nyman's soloing is reminiscent of Carlos Santana but the power is not sustained on this track. It is sustained on the cover of Coltrane's "Giantsteps" though, and if you think you have heard all versions of this masterpiece think again. Some excellent and intriguing scatting by Zenger delights.

There are many magically quirky moments on this release, fresh and intelligent it really is a joy to see and hear that new jazz is being made but holding to the tradition.

Check out the website
Iiro Rantala New Trio

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Each week I will be pulling a lucky email address out of my Jazz Hat and sending someone a clutch of new jazz cds. All you have to do is email me with your thoughts on the station. Entries from NZ and beyond welcome. One winner each week so keep those emails coming - mark@georgefm.co.nz

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