IIRO RANTALA & ULF WAKENIUS - Good Stuff
ACT Records 9851-2
Iiro Rantala (pno) Ulf Wakenius (gtr)
ACT Records have brought together two more their ever expanding stable of top class European players for yet another fascinating and intriguing duo set. Pianist Iiro Rantala from Helsenki is generally thought of, alongside a very small handful of others as leading the way in contemporary jazz piano these days and is even mentioned by some in the same breath as the late Esbjorn Svensson. His partner Ulf Wakenius was one of the last guitarists in Oscar Peterson's trio and made eighteen albums alongside the Canadian master. With a liking for the duo format, he has in recent years partnered Pat Metheny and Neils-Henning-Orsted- Pederson.
From interpretations of works by Bizet, through John Coltrane to Stevie Wonder, this is an album for quiet indulgence. Guitar and piano blend together as one on most offerings and weave their own magic spells when in solo mode. There are a number of compositions by both players, each being a musical reflection of a particular city such as Rome, Berlin and Vienna etc. The highlight for me however is a mesmerising duo on Coltrane's "Giant Steps" which afforded a unique alternative look at this great standard.
Jazz is the broadest of churches these days and all the better for it, but listening to the admittedly beautiful and skillful playing here it is somewhat difficult to place it fully in the category as most people understand it.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
ACT Records 9851-2
Iiro Rantala (pno) Ulf Wakenius (gtr)
ACT Records have brought together two more their ever expanding stable of top class European players for yet another fascinating and intriguing duo set. Pianist Iiro Rantala from Helsenki is generally thought of, alongside a very small handful of others as leading the way in contemporary jazz piano these days and is even mentioned by some in the same breath as the late Esbjorn Svensson. His partner Ulf Wakenius was one of the last guitarists in Oscar Peterson's trio and made eighteen albums alongside the Canadian master. With a liking for the duo format, he has in recent years partnered Pat Metheny and Neils-Henning-Orsted- Pederson.
From interpretations of works by Bizet, through John Coltrane to Stevie Wonder, this is an album for quiet indulgence. Guitar and piano blend together as one on most offerings and weave their own magic spells when in solo mode. There are a number of compositions by both players, each being a musical reflection of a particular city such as Rome, Berlin and Vienna etc. The highlight for me however is a mesmerising duo on Coltrane's "Giant Steps" which afforded a unique alternative look at this great standard.
Jazz is the broadest of churches these days and all the better for it, but listening to the admittedly beautiful and skillful playing here it is somewhat difficult to place it fully in the category as most people understand it.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
