(Fiasko
Records, 2001)
To begin a warning: "Exclusive lovers of
Camel, Genesis, Moody Blues, Barclay James Harvest... to ABSTAIN."
This is the first disk of the grouping of Finland
driven in the face compositive by the guitarist Esa Onttonen and saxophonist Mikko
Innanen. Difficult to categorize, if it was forced to make it would say that it is
framed in the RIO (Rock in Opposition) with a strong jazz component (or vice
versa), that which is not surprising since so much Onttonen as Innanen has a
solid academic musical formation, having studied, among other places, in the Jazz Music
Department of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. The band presents an
instrumental conformation outside of the common thing: Onttonen in guitars, fuzz
bass and bouzouki; Innanen in saxos and flute; Ilmari Pohjola in trombone; Janne
Antikainen in double bass; Mika Kallio in drums and gong; Veli Kujala in
accordion (bandoneón?) accompanied by Petri Korpela in percussion.
Made the objective presentation of rigor, step to
give an absolutely subjective opinion. I have to admit that when listening the disk I felt
a little disappointed. Although the instrumental execution is of first line, I found the
music quite uneven, although I should admit that presenting some interesting passages. But
it takes him listens for second time and I realized that in fact, although my favorite
style would be never inside, there was in that disk more you sew of those that I had
discovered initially. This takes myself to listen to it for third time and fourth and
fifth and I could not stop of making it... it is FANTASTIC. The music of Gourmet is,
in my humble opinion, EXCELLENT. Original and eclectic, between the jazz and the
experimental rock, with an accent to tango in many of their compositions. If... Tango (did
I clarify that will give an absolutely subjective opinion, so I am in my right of
perceiving an air of tango in spite of their Scandinavian origin). Not you if it is for
the sound of the accordion (do I insist, bandoneón?) or because, indeed, have they had
some coarse influence... does it Sew not absolutely unlikely since I had the opportunity
to live in Finland and do I know the passion for our music that they have in that
country. The probabilities are sensibly bigger if one keeps in mind that the own one Esa
Onttonen told me that it has among its collection several cds of Piazzolla and Gardel.
Be what is, the impressive acting of the saxo, the adjusted precision of the guitar and
the contribution of all and each one of the instruments gives to this music an incredible
intensity.
Conclusion: if you are faithful lover (and
understand each other " fidelity " like a " exclusivity " euphemism)
of the most conventional progressive rock, the proposal of Gourmet, very probably,
a plate of difficult digestion is him. If on the contrary this interested one in an
original, creative, varied proposal, with an instrumental conformation excessively
unusual, and also this willing one to be given the necessary time to adapt to this
EXCELLENT music, then "Glamour & Decadence" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Contacts: http://www.fiaskorecords.com
Paul Puleston