Discography
Ilmiliekki Quartet: Take It With Me
TUM Records 2006, (TUM CD 020)
- Take It With Me 6:34
- Karhu 7:00
- So Far 4:55
- Askisto 9:24
- Porcelain 4:36
- Kanava 9:27
- My Favorite Plum 2:54
- Hatchi 10:05
- In Wood 6:29
Album Info
Total playing time 61:24
Take It With Me was recorded in June 2006 at Nilento Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden with Lars Nilsson as the recording engineer. The recording was mixed by Lars Nilsson at Nilento Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden and mastered by Henrik Otto Donner and Esa Santonen at DER in Tammisaari, Finland.
Ilmiliekki Quartet: March of the Alpha Males
TUM Records 2003, (TUM CD 005)
- ico.mp3 (9.4 mb) 8:06
- Anchor Song 4:17
- Old May Become New 7:43
- Answer Kalho, Answer 8:30
- Monastery 2:54
- March of the Alpha Males 5:07
- Melankolinaa 6:33
- Blue Jyväskylä 10:14
- The Tourist 5:30
- What Reason Could I Give 5:51
Album Info
Total playing time 64:45
Additional musician: Jaska Lukkarinen, percussion (ICO; Old May Become New; Answer Kalho, Answer; March of the Alpha Males and Blue Jyväskylä)
March of the Alpha Males was recorded in June 2003 at Kallio-Kuninkala in Järvenpää, Finland with Miikka Huttunen as the recording engineer. The recording was mixed by Miikka Huttunen at Mute Studio in Helsinki, Finland and mastered by Henrik Otto Donner at DER in Tammisaari, Finland.
Reviews
‘An excellent album’ (The March Of The Alpha Males) Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise, February 2005
‘The band’s name, which means “open fire” or “full blaze” in Finnish, is a further indicator. Its music is a mix of freely improvised and composed segments that provide ample avenues for open playing around structured themes. Pohjola is a vital force on trumpet or melodica.’
‘The dominant trumpet sound of Pohjola permeates each cut, labelling him as the showcased member of this closely aligned group effort. His playing is ambitious which also defines Ilmiliekki’s approach to music.’
Frank Rubolino, Cadence, July 2004
‘Ilmiliekki Quartet movingly interpret two modern songs from Radiohead and Björk, find life in an obscure Ornette Coleman tune, and build stark, gritty moods with originals. With sensitive interaction and the dirty, strangled trumpet of Verneri Pohjola, the quartet at times evokes a vocal ensemble. At others, they sing together as a chorus, four voices intersecting in harmonious dialogue.’
‘Neither a nostalgic trawl of the past nor an experimental push into the future, March of the Alpha Males both seethes with youthful abandon and muses with thoughtful maturity. The Ilmiliekki Quartet has travelled collectively into the musical spirit of our age and returned with a haunting, dimly lit portrait for the 21st century.’
Matthew Wuetrich, All About Jazz 12/2003