Kraak/Fonal
Es : Sateenkaarisuudelma (FIN,2006,re.2007)***°
Around the same time as his previous album (see review up), Sami Sänpäkkilä, leader of Fonal records and some of its musical projects, was already working on this album. Sami in those days, back in 2006, did a ten day tour in USA with Miriam Goldberg on cello, Jeffrey Alexander on guitar and effects (= Black Forest/Black Sea), with Tara Burke on vocals and keyboards. The fruits of this cooperation can be heard on side C of the LP, or cd2. Also Laura Naukkarinen (aka Lau Nau) participated on various parts. Side D of the LP version was recorded in Boston at the WMBR radio station. Side C and D or CD2 were reworked compositions dating back to 2002, as if they evolved with the project until it was finally finished in 2005.
Much of the recording contains, with convincing effect, Terry Riley like minimalist ideas, but then built from minimum note playing of instruments (piano, keyboards or guitars), use of loops, oscillations on acoustic instruments, while having a slight cosmic effect (comparable at times to some early Klaus Schulze, without being electronic). This is rather convincing. Very nice to hear, also, is that at one point (Side C or cd2) another minimal idea (use of singing bowls, keyboards in reverb with certain eastern chords) evolves to interesting, rather contemporary classical music-like vocal arrangements, while remaining in its cosmic free minimalist world. The ideas on the last two tracks have less complex effects, a dreamy drone soundscape and an improvised outro where the piano seems to clusters a few chords or notes, with a certain automatism in time.
The album was released in 2LP format almost two years ago, and now finds its way onto a double CD with the same artwork.
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