Announcement by Mika Pohjola, Chris Cheek, Matt Penman & Roberto Dani
Mika Pohjola is a superb technician who also possesses a crafty compositional pen as the artist generally pushes his creative faculties to the limits, evidenced by an increasingly rich recorded legacy. With this 1998 effort, the pianist along with saxophonist Chris Cheek and longtime running mates, drummer Roberto Dani and bassist Matt Penman integrate ferocious soloing into a palate often consisting of vibrant choruses, peppery exchanges, swiftly executed rhythms and lyrically rich unison lines. However, Pohjola also excels as a forward thinking visionary who draws upon widespread influences, whether it is far eastern modalities, Scandinavian folk or the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, while also injecting innocent, lullaby style melodies into the grand scheme of things. Simply stated, Announcement represents a joyous event that supersedes a good portion of the nondescript, overly hyped, and rigorously marketed 90's and 2000 brand of post-bop, whereas this refreshing and altogether stirring production imparts a lasting impression. -All Music Guide
Tracklist
| 1. | Party | 8:30 |
| 2. | Indian Restaurant | 3:30 |
| 3. | Announcement (Kungörelse) | 8:30 |
| 4. | Maalaiselämää (Country Living) | 3:47 |
| 5. | When Things Will Change | 8:20 |
| 6. | Hair, Scarf & Fragrance | 6:29 |
| 7. | Thinking, Wondering, Dreaming | 6:04 |
| 8. | A Portrait Of Three Statues | 7:40 |
| 9. | Relax In The Sun | 6:54 |
Credits
Mika Pohjola - piano & composer
Chris Cheek - tenor & soprano saxophones
Matt Penman - bass
Roberto Dani - drums
License
All rights reserved.Tags
BMG is the crystallization of Mika Pohjola's artistic vision, spanning composition, performance, and production. Pohjola's musical journey took flight under the wing of the composer legend Gunther Schuller at GM Recordings. Recognized for his exceptional talent, Pohjola became a Steinway artist in 1997. He continues to curate a diverse repertoire, crafting music of unwavering quality.