Klaus Suonsaari's concern with sound and balance extend to the ensemble as well. Critic Jon Pareles, writing in the New York Times, stated that "Mr. Suonsaari fulfilled one of a bandleader's most important duties: choosing his group members well." Here Klaus has gathered one well-chosen assemblage of top American performers, and another consisting of respected players from his homeland, with the aim of bridging the gap between continents, and revealing the commonality of intent among European and American jazz artists. Klaus succeeds as a leader because of his sense of balance and his ability to find common ground between seemingly different elements. Tradition and originality... the European and American aesthetic... lyric beauty and freewheeling expressionism ("Song For S.R." is a glorious example) ... Klaus always finds "something in common" with which to engage the listener. ~ StoryvilleRecords.Bandcamp.com.
Storyville Records, STCD 4218,
1998
11th-12th April, 1992 (#1-6)
at Finnish Broadcasting Studios, Helsinki, Finland;
17th-18th February, 1989
(#7-12) at RPM Studio, New York City
Musicians:
Klaus Suonsaari - Drums,
Percussion & Vocals (#12), Arranger
Jukka Perko - Alto Saxophone
(#2,6) Soprano Saxophone (#1,5)
Jerry Bergonzi - Tenor
Saxophone (#7-12), Arranger (#9,10)
Jarmo Savolainen - Piano
(#1,2,3,5,6), Arranger (#5)
Niels Lan Doky - Piano
(#7-12)
Severi Pyysalo - Vibraphone
(#1,2,5,6), Arranger (#6)
Mike Mainieri - Vibraphone
(#7,8,11)
Eerik Siikasaari - Bass
(#1,2,3,5,6)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#7-12)
Bobby Sanabria - Percussion
Tracks:
01. Ritual {Klaus Suonsaari}
(7:39)
02. Jaska {Eerik Siikasaari}
(6:25)
03. Motion {Klaus Suonsaari}
(7:00)
04. Song For S.R. {Klaus
Suonsaari} (2:05)
05. Inseparable {Jarmo
Savolainen} (5:49)
06. Burning Bridges {Severi
Pyysalo} (6:33)
07. Serenity {Klaus
Suonsaari} (5:47)
08. Miles Apart [Part 2]
{Klaus Suonsaari} (5:51)
09. Jab {Jerry Bergonzi}
(7:20)
10. If I Were A Bell {Frank
Loesser} (4:48)
11. Blues For G {Klaus
Suonsaari} (6:54)
12. Happy People {Klaus
Suonsaari} (5:07)
Total Time: 71:18
Credits:
Producer - Klaus Suonsaari
Executive Producer - Karl
Emil Knudsen
Engineer - Heikki Antero
Savolainen [Helsinki]
Engineer - A.T. Michel [NYC]
Engineer - Hans Nielsen
[Focus Recording, Copenhagen]
Layout - Richard Meyrick
Photo - Marja-Leena Helin
Artwork & Design [Cover]
- Tina Eskilsson
Liner Notes - Scott Robinson
