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Mika Pohjola, Miguel Zenon, Ben Monder & Fernando Huergo : Landmark
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\"From odd-metered Zappa-esque romps to soothing ballads, fusion vehicles to 4th century hymns, rhythmic rock-fueled jams.\" (Bill Milkowski). Featuring Ben Monder, Fernando Huergo, Miguel Zenon, Roberto Dani and Johanna Grüssner.
Genre: Jazz: Jazz Fusion
Release Date: 2002
Landmark
Mika Pohjola, Miguel Zenon, Ben Monder & Fernando Huergo
Record Label: BlueMusicGroup.com
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  • Download Album (MP3) - $8.99

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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. Landmark 6:19 + MP3 $0.99
2. Screen Play 6:53 + MP3 $0.99
3. A Ballad About Something 4:12 + MP3 $0.99
4. Future Apparent 5:04 + MP3 $0.99
5. Psalm 549 - Isämme Kiitos Päivästä 2:26 + MP3 $0.99
6. Old Couples Lullaby 4:54 + MP3 $0.99
7. Young in the 80's 7:31 + MP3 $0.99
8. Passing Recline 5:11 + MP3 $0.99
9. Summer Garden 4:32 + MP3 $0.99
10. MikaSonik Theme 0:33 + MP3 $0.99
11. Retrospectives 8:03 + MP3 $0.99
12. Reppurin Laulu 4:50 + MP3 $0.99
13. Landmark (Radio Edit) 2:54 + MP3 $0.99
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Album Notes

BlueMusicGroup.com - Your jazz, classical and world music label

This remarkable disc features Mika Pohjola's crafty ensemble, with Miguel Zenón on alto sax and flute, Ben Monder on guitar, Fernando Huergo on bass, and Roberto Dani on drums, with Johanna Grüssner contributing haunting vocals on occasion. Pohjola plays Fender Rhodes and other electric keys in addition to acoustic piano; on Landmark and Retrospectives he doubles certain melodies on harpsichord, as he has done on two previous albums (he may well be the first musician to employ the arcane instrument in a modern jazz ensemble, although Herbie Hancock played an electric harpsichord on a couple of unissued Miles Davis tracks in the late 60s.) Compositionally, Pohjola's work is involved yet infectious and profoundly melodic, driven by the virtuosity and strong personalities of his players. On tracks like Screenplay and Future Apparent the band purveys a hip, appealing species of electric jazz. Pohjola's mellower side comes through on A Ballad About Something and Old Couples Lullaby. In contrast, he makes loud mischief on the rhythmically skewered punk of Young in the '80s and conveys a peculiar, semi-rubato feel on the evocative Summer Garden (which features Monder and Dani in a duo exchange toward the end). Pohjola also works wonders with Grüssner's voice on an inspired arrangement of the fourth century Ambrosian hymn, as well as the Finnish-titled Reppurin Laulu (Vagabond's Song), the lyrics of which are in the Karelian language. The highly recommended Landmark sets the bar very high for creative music.There is an underground alternative jazz scene that is beginning to bubble over the surface and its starting to leak into all the different areas of music and culture. It's based in Manhattan New York. People like Mika are leading the way. When you get a four star review with the All Music Guide you have made the grade. This gentleman has arrived in a big way. I knew that he would, and the deserving recognition was just around the corner after the last release. Yes, I knew that he was special, and so will you when you hear his music. This is the perfect title for this CD; it is no doubt a Landmark release.

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REVIEWS

This Landmark is a benchmark!
author: Roland Kreuscher
                            
Not much more to mention, but perhaps to repeat/emphasize: Yes, VERY recommended if you like W. Shorter and his W.Report.-compositions, Hermeto Pascoal e Grupo(!!!) and Zappa's less funny but more serious(?), complex, melodic jazzy titles like 'little umbrellas', 'grand wazzoo' or (almost) 'jazz from hell'. This CD is a must!
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Pohjola keeps pushing the limits of good fusion jazz ever further!
author: Richard Poulin
                            
Landmark is up to my expectations after getting his superb ''Announcement'' and becoming already a devoted fan. It's intelligent fusion jazz that incorporates so many different styles that one cannot do anything else but listen and get amazed at how imaginative this wonderful pianist is. A treasure chest of excellent, innovative music.
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Landmark sets the bar very high for creative music
author: David Adler, All Music Guide
                            
AMG EXPERT REVIEW: This remarkable disc features Mika Pohjola's crafty "MikaSonik" ensemble, with Miguel Zenon on alto sax and flute, Ben Monder on guitar, Fernando Huergo on bass, and Roberto Dani on drums, with Johanna Grüssner contributing haunting vocals on occasion. Pohjola plays Fender Rhodes and other electric keys in addition to acoustic piano; on "Landmark" and "Retrospectives" he doubles certain melodies on harpsichord, as he has done on two previous albums (he may well be the first musician to employ the arcane instrument in a modern jazz ensemble). Compositionally, Pohjola's work is involved yet infectious and profoundly melodic, driven by the virtuosity and strong personalities of his players. On tracks like "Screen Play" and "Future Apparent" the band purveys a hip, appealing species of electric jazz; the fluid melodies and richly layered sounds are somewhat reminiscent of Kurt Rosenwinkel's The Enemies of Energy. Pohjola's mellower side comes through on "A Ballad About Something" and "Old Couples Lullaby." In contrast, he makes loud mischief on the rhythmically skewered punk of "Young in the 80s" and conveys a peculiar, semi-rubato feel on the evocative "Summer Garden" (which features Monder and Dani in a duo exchange toward the end). Pohjola also works wonders with Grüssner's voice on an inspired arrangement of the fourth century Ambrosian hymn "Psalm 549," as well as the Finnish-titled "Reppurin Laulu" ("Vagabond's Song"), the lyrics of which are in the dead Karelian language. The highly recommended Landmark sets the bar very high for creative music in the year 2002. -- David R. Adler
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Pohjola represents one of those rare entities in modern music
author: Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz
                            
Pianist/composer, Mika Pohjola represents one of those rare entities in modern music as his often-complex compositional style generally yields straightforward and easily attainable results. A musical mind at work for sure; however, Pohjola’s uncanny knack for integrating sonorous melodies with multi-layered and intricately formulated arrangements elicits notions of listener-friendliness. With his latest effort, Pohjola garners strong support from New York City-based guitarist, Ben Monder, alto saxophonist, Miguel Zenon, and others for a multifarious and deeply stylized program. On the opener “Landmark,” Pohjola employs harpsichord, synths and Fender Rhodes piano atop the rhythm sections’ bustling pulse and Johanna Grussner’s harmonious wordless vocals. Here and throughout, Monder and Zenon engage in lilting choruses, poignant lines and make excellent use of space and depth. Conversely, Pohjola acts as the painter via his quaintly executed synth treatments, and acute sense of swing and rhythm. Meanwhile, Johanna Grussner provides the Midas touch on several pieces including the quasi hymn-like, folk melody titled, “Reppurin Laulu.” The divergent mix continues on the hard driving “Young In The 80’s,” as Monder puts the pedal to the metal for some blistering, supercharged guitar work in concert with Pohjola and Zenon’s anthem-like choruses. The pianist provides lucid imagery with a maturely stated melody on “Old Couples Lullaby”; whereby Monder’s dusky mid-tone electric and Ms. Grussner’s warm vocalise trigger the emotive elements. Overall, there’s a lot to get excited about during this superbly crafted set, largely due to the leader’s creative spirit and unassailable infatuation with the jazz vernacular! Recommended.
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