Departing the Wasteland

Two decades after the release of 2006s Constellation, Finnish composer and pianist Alexi Tuomarila has recorded and toured with a boundary-pushing trio that includes bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori. Tuomarila has examined, explored, and excavated his own vocabulary across various piano traditions in jazz, classical, and improvised music. Departing the Wasteland is a new move for this group. In addition to the trio, the composer recruited guitarist Andre Fernandes, and a horn/winds group -- trombonist Gil Silva, tenorist Jose Pedro Coelho, and altoist/flautist Joao Guimaraes -- to perform on various tracks. Elegant, emotional drama is the constant thread here, a hallmark of Tuomarilas sound. Check the lithe, bell-like acoustic piano vamp in opener "Towards Dark Light"; while constant and circular, it offers a dynamic tension provided by a subtle synth, massive chords, and Fernandes haunting phraseology -- as well as a roaring solo. The trio builds on the tension as the pianist begins a percussive, modal blues in his solo before shifting toward post-bop and modal jazz. "Watchtower Hill" could have been composed by Pat Metheny. There is seamless integration between pianist and guitarist, twinning harmonic lines as Eilertsens bowed bassline wrapped in Louhivuoris syncopated drumming creates a darker, more mysterious exchange. The entwined solos of the two frontline players draw the listener deep into the extrapolated rhythmic invention. "Inner Wasteland" is a jazz labyrinth. Its freer and edgier with unresolved tension. Utilizing the horns in a series of modal contrapuntal melodies, Fernandes is the telegraph wire uniting pianist, rhythm section, and horns. Its followed by "August," a gauzy modal jam that cuts across classical and jazz traditions, marrying them in a multivalently textured harmony both colorful and limpid. "Moreeni" is a feature for Eilertsens playing. He leads the melody with constant circular motion as Tuomarila and Fernandes engage in a melody that could easily illustrate an action scene in a film, but offers so much canny improv and conversational dialog, it could register as 21st century. Closer "Circle" is a feature for the saxophonist, who solos to Tuomarilas dreamy chordal pulses, adding emotional heft to episodic musical invention. Departing the Wasteland is among the best albums in the pianists long career. His writing for this extended group is masterful, imaginative, and sophisticated. Theres an emotional power and liquidity in this music that allows shadows to frame its companion: lustrous light. Further, this music is completely accessible. Listeners outside Europe will hopefully avail themselves of the creative musical vision this group displays in spades. ~ Thom Jurek