Album Notes

The second solo album by Markku Lepistö, Varttinä’s accordionist, takes him from western Finland to the wide world. Markku’s first much-acclaimed album, Silta ("Bridge"), was a eulogy to his roots in southern Ostrobothnia. This is what Markku has to say about his new album:
"The album Polku ("Path") tells the story of my life since I left the Ostrobothnia region. Along the way there have been ups and downs, rocky paths, rail tracks, plenty of pitch-black highways, crossroads, comings and goings. On my journey I picked up the pictures and landscapes that are played in this recording. This album wouldn't exist without the friends who have shared my journey."

As the years and kilometres have clocked up, Markku has developed his own, fresh language of composition, where Finnish tradition combines in a new way with influences he has collected on his travels round the world. Polku takes the listener from Ostrobothnia via Helsinki to Finisterre, a headland at the end of the world.

The totally acoustic sounds in Polku are rich and ruggedly beautiful.
Over the years, Markku’s band has gelled together well and in Polku they play in a wonderfully easygoing way. There are also two trio pieces, which Markku plays with his fellow Värttinä artists Janne Lappalainen (bouzouki) and Lassi Logrén (nyckelharpa).

Markku Lepistö is one of Finland’s foremost accordionists with many recordings to his credit. Apart from his solo project, Markku plays with the bands Värttinä and Doina Klezmer.