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Tommi Varjola Trio: Tommi Varjola Trio

Tommi Varjola is a Finnish jazz guitarist and is an excellent player which he shows throughout his latest self-titled album. The member of bands Padarion and Mist Season goes for a softer approach on this album, similar to his last offering Family Life released in 2008. Varjola proves that guitar virtuosity doesn't have to barrage the listener at a million notes per second (although he can and does let loose every so often). Rounding out his latest venture is bass virtuoso Jan-Olof Strandberg and drummer Markus Ketola.

Soft guitar arpeggios begin "Hybrid Mind" and as the song plays on the guitarist gathers speed offering some pretty tasty lines working in some heavier chords as well. I really like his laid back style and smooth sound. "Möksy" has a retro feel with its almost breezy guitar lines punctuated with Strandberg's classy bass play. In "Sea Lion" all three musicians strut their stuff. Varjola's guitar carries a bit more bite and the rhythm section is at their imaginative best with some complex drum/bass interaction. With the laid back "Melancholy Party" I can imagine playing it on a tropical beach somewhere in the Caribbean. That is just the vibe it gives off. Oh, and the bass solo here is pretty wicked. The album ends on a quiet note with the pretty ballad "Sleep, Sleep, Bye-Bye".

Bottom line - if you like your jazz a little laid back with excellent musicianship, the Tommi Varjola Trio should satisfy that craving.

Track Listing:
1. Hybrid Mind (4:36)
2. Möksy (5:06)
3. Be Rodeo Bob (4:05)
4. Sea Lion (6:59)
5. Melancholy Party (4:13)
6. Happy Renaissance People (5:12)
7. Hong Xi Road 19 (5:08)
8. New Bourree (4:29)
9. Sleep, Sleep, Bye-Bye (2:41)

Added: September 29th 2013
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 2252
Language: english

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