Miked Up! The first title of Finnish jazz guitarist Varre Vartiainen's latest album Head & Heart is nicely ambiguous: it can mean that a band is equipped with microphones and is therefore ready to record, but it can also mean that a Mike is added as an improvement. Both is the case, but one thing is more remarkable - the Mike, of course.
Mike Stern's guitar sound is special. Lots of reverb, daring harmonies - it's what is known in English as a signature sound, a sound characteristic so individualised that it identifies infallibly like a signature.
The fact that Stern plays with Vartiainen is an honour for the jazz virtuoso from Helsinki, who is around 20 years younger, but it also has certain disadvantages? How you take it. Because such a signature sound can easily confuse the listener's mind. If it weren't for Varre Vartainen on the cover, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a new album by Mike Stern. Of course, we know better, that would be wrong.
Stern has also brought his wife Leni Stern with him. Born in Munich, she doesn't play the guitar, however, but only the ngoni, a Mandinka lute from West Africa.
Vartainen's compositions are lively fusion jazz, orientated on models from the 1970s. Some of it sounds familiar, if not in terms of the stick itself, then certainly in terms of the concept and instrumentation. What is interesting is the mix of genres the Finn chooses here and there. Dark Size Life is driven by a lively bossa rhythm. Hardly, on the other hand, has a snare roll a la New Orleans jazz as a supporting element in the background. And so it goes on.
Vartiainen's music flows in a pleasingly high-calibre manner over the entire almost 70 minutes. There are no weaknesses in the performance. Great harmonies, exciting solos, excellent interplay, everything fits. And that is surprising in a way, because the list of musicians includes a total of eleven people. And they have to play in alternating line-ups, because you won't find two basses, two saxophones or two drums in the repertoire.
The recording itself is also excellent. The sound engineer has managed to place any combination on the same stage with identical clarity, precision, position and message. This is skilful and reflects the quality of the music.
"Just got a change to listen to three songs from Varre. Beautiful!! Varre plays his ass off! Wonderful guitar playing! And the tunes are beautiful and the band is smoking!" - Mike Stern
"Varre Vartiainen is a virtuosic Finnish guitarist whose past merits are exceptionalespecially in the field of rock infused music styles. What makes him really unique is the fact that his instrumental and expressive jazz chops are also world class!!" - Jukkis Uotila
Definitely a tip to listen to. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)
Varre Vartiainen, guitar, vocals
Mike Stern, guitar, vocals
Leni Stern, ngoni, vocals & (23rd St. Angel Choir)
Joonatan Rautio, saxophone
Severi Pyysalo, vibraphone
Visa Oscar, keyboard
Timo Hirvonen, bass
Juho Kivivuori, bass
Jukkis Uotila, drums
Jussi Lehtonen, drums
Mongo Altonen, percussion