They say you must never judge a book by it's cover. This isn't always true. When I first received this CD and started to leaf through the booklet, I had a very good idea about the kind of music the disc would contain. For the most part I was right. Mist Season plays a soft adult contemporary smooth jazz. However, this isn't a Kenny G snoozefest as is often the case with this genre. This Finnish quintet delves a lot deeper then the muzak inspired stuff usually associated with this genre.
The band can be upbeat and uplifting, such as on tracks like "Peppermint Patty" and "Skeptoscopic Detector". Numbers like "Lydia", "Cosmic Wardance", and "Hong Xi Road 19" travel the soft, serene, and silky smooth route. "My Joy" and " Life Is" show an ebullient, exhuberant, and even effervescent Mist Season. In contrast, numbers like "Siren's Gaze" and "Lullaby For The Little One" showcase the quintet's more calm and contemplative facet. The band even demonstrates a penchant for West Coast jazz with the oddly-metered "Kati", which has a slight Dave Brubeck swing to it. Throughout this 11-track excursion the quintet is the epitome of the word band. All musicians play like seasoned veterans without any one member overstepping the delicate musical lines of each track. Guitarist Tommy Varjola does seem to stand out the most ,however, as his fluidity on the fretboard seems to make very difficult passages sound simple and harmonious.
A record that gets better with repeated listens. This is the kind of music which is mandatory for those quiet evenings at the cottage or as a backdrop to a relaxing Sunday morning at home.
Track Listing:
- Peppermint Patty (4:13)
- Lydia (6:45)
- My Joy (4:29)
- Siren's Gaze (5:31)
- Cosmic Wardance (5:18)
- Kati (4:37)
- Hong Xi Road 19 (5:38)
- Marieholm (8:47)
- Sketposcopic Detector (3:27)
- Lullaby For The Little One (4:18)
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