VERNERI POHJOLA — Aurora (review)

VERNERI POHJOLA — Aurora album cover Album · 2009 · Nu Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Verneri is the son of one of the most respected Finnish jazz-rock musicians, Pekka Pohjola (bassist with Wigwam, solo works, collaboration with Mike Oldfield, etc). Verneri's debut album was released in Finland back in 2009, but only two years later, when German ACT re-released it (with different cover art) this work received international success.

Verneri Pohjola is a session trumpeter known in Finland from his teens, it's obvious that Miles Davis was a serious influence on him. On his debut he displays really successful ideas combining a few different rhythmic styles while accompanied by a pianist, reed players and a string sextet.

From the very first sounds, this album will remind you of early NP Molvaer's recordings - same clear air/ambient feeling, relaxed Nordic space and some folk motives deeply under the surface. But even if Molvaer's/Nordic nu jazz influence is present on almost every composition, there are more elements that are more personal.

First of all Verneri's trumpet is more energetic and even "hot", as he is closer to Miles than to Molvaer in moments. Also, this music is more orchestrated, not so ascetic. Finally, some explosive moments and neo-classical piano are obvious signs of the Finnish school.

In all, its a better than average album and a really great debut. It could attract Nordic nu jazz fans searching for hotter sounds as well as lovers of great melodic well arranged but not too mellow music. In any case, this release has more life than many ECM recordings made by Finnish musicians. Only a bit more rough and energetic sound could make this music better ( but the music as it is, perfectly fits to ACT label sound as you could expect).
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