Aalto. Tuulilabyrintit (2012). CD, Album. Finland. Progressive Rock, Prog Folk.

1. Tuulilabyrintit (8:32) 2. Dyngyldai (6:40) 3. Juuret (6:03) 4. Kipinöitä (5:03) 5. Tulet (7:08) 6. Hyvät hevoset (3:51) 7. Intia (10:58) total time 48:17 - Marko Niittymäki / maniska, banjo, dumbek - Antero Mentu / sitar, guitars - Aleksi Rintala / drums - Sampo Salonen / vocals, doshpulur, didgeridoo - Petra Tikkanen / vocals, kantele - Panu Ukkonen / clarinet with - Hanna Rajakangas / vocals on track 3 - J.K. Ihalainen / reciting on track 7 For this first long player CD the group has been slightly reformed; Petra Tikkanen is introduced for singing and kantele playing, Marko Niittymäki evoking sounds with banjo, mandolin and dumpek-drum, and Aleksi Rintala sitting behind the drum set. The Finnish lyrics have moved further to realms of ancient traditional poetry, and wordless singing is also used pleasantly as a melodic supporter and deliverer of emotional dramatics for the songs. Calmly waving guitar droning with hints of sitar and percussions open slightly the doors to the wind labyrinths on the title track. Fragile and tender vocals euphorically venture to the mysticism of the lyrics; A voice which also has an interesting range to more rustic throat vocals, which I first thought been sung by the groups guys only, but was revealed to the more interesting reality when observing the band performances on stage. This opening rejoices with great dynamics of both cosmic and earthly analogies, a meditative dharma in vein of classic sitar rock and world fusion music. Again the minimal composition rolls really calmly, and the soothing song maintains its integrity and internal favourability due precious solo moments. “Dyngyldai“ shows the more active characteristics of the group. This guitar led number with more audible rhythm section of the rock music reminded slightly the tones from Fairport Convention’s “Unhalfbricking“. Voices and clarinet supporting the beautifully weaved carpet of sounds. Both clean and throat sung voices join the fine roll upon the tides of sound waves textures. “Juuret“ (“Roots“) is then a real slow hazed bluesy run, with traditional Finnish vocals first forming dual harmonies, later clarinet joining to a celestial sequence of enlightenment, and having Hanna Rajakangas visiting on the singing. Following dual song entity could be transcribed as “Sparks“/“Flames“, the first part “Kipinöitä“ being Antero Mentu’s authentic classical sitar raga meditation, leading directly to “Tulet“, enchantingly pulsing drinking song with didgeridoo’s and sitar’s dialogues. The beat of the drum rhythms the tribal run around the pyroblazes, and oscillating vocals curve for getting higher along with the flames. Just adored this long instrumental fantasy’s fine pause arrangements, repetition of the theme with reduced pace and it’s climaxing to a fastened melody reprisals. “Hyvät hevoset“ spurs the fine horses into a gallop by fast guitar, winds, violins and Tuvan throat vocals, amplified guitar pouring in the rock fusion presence. The riders are unseated to the last musical innovation of the disc, “Intia“. This hypnotic epic lasts over ten minutes, drawing together enchanting musical elements and the narrative voice of J.K. Ihalainen. The poet recites his tale summing together the universal aspects of the global culture present on the group’s musical style, and also the personal experiences of a man of the modern time world. Lots of pleasant instrumental tapestry illuminates the yurt for this nocturnal drunken tale spinning ever more intense to the climax. Though the track is a quite interesting experimentation, it still did not completely fulfil the promises I personally anticipated as a conclusion for the dramatic curves of the fabulous album. Overall, there is really much found from very simple song structures, and the tonal artistic explorations are not sounding neither boring nor artificially extended. The tender neo-hippie elements of this group are in my opinion totally charming, and I accepted the more rustic aggressive themes as contrasting factors, an understandable human turn sides of a coin, also being melted with time as smooth and relevant part to the group’s own sound. There is much improvement from their earlier fine EP, the production now done through a Uulu label, an co-operative organization established by ethnomusicologists, musicians and professionals from various fields of cultural activities. So please accept my recommendations of this adorable Finnish ethnic music album, and would note them as an especial attraction from the local concert venues. At least for me the disc as good as ever could not match their midsummer spell from local hippie festivals. Review by: Eetu Pellonpää