I have found that I am often surprised with what gets released by Inverse Records, as while they tend to concentrate on many forms of metal, they are not afraid to release the odd album which throws a total curve ball and that is definitely the case with this one. Seppo "Ukko" Pasanen founded the band in 1997, and has been playing the blues for more than thirty years and has his son Joonas on rhythm guitar while bassist Juha-Antti Helamaa has been in the band from the beginning. Asko Vikki features on drums while singer Harri Häkkinen is a relative newcomer. I always feel woefully unprepared when I get sent a blues album to review, as it isn’t a genre that I have spent nearly enough time listening to (same with jazz, although I am working hard on both fronts – honest!). So, although I know what I like I do find it hard sometimes to put it into words.
This is one of those blues albums that is warm and inviting, where the groove is definitely in and all he listener has to do it go along for the ride. Whenever I play this I find my whole body moving with iit n time, as it just has that vibe. Harri has a great Southern Soul voice, while Ukko has a wonderfully delicate touch, knowing that in blues it is all about the feel and emotion and that there is no need to play “the blues like Machine Gun Kelly, Five hundred notes to the bar”. As Harry Chapin so rightly said, only a fool plays the blues like that.
I saw one review where it said if you like Robert Cray you’ll like this, but to me t is way more simple – if you like good music, whatever you normally listen to, then this is essential. There is more genuine talent and heart in this one album than in a whole series of ‘X Factor’ etc. Definitely worth seeking out.
www.inverse.fi
