top of page
EMMI KUJANPAA_Nani_COVER.png
EMMI KUJANPAA
Nani
(2020 - Nordic Notes - Germany)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSHui6KistA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9u0KfXotc

https://nordicnotes.bandcamp.com/album/emmi-kujanp-nani

Founder of the Finnish-Bulgarian vocal ensemble Finno-Balkan Voices, Emmi Kujanpaa (a graduate of Sibelius Academy, and the University of Helsinki) this uber talented singer, composer, kantele player, and folk music artist presents her debut solo 'Nani'. Her previous work with the new generation of 'Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares' choir shows up brilliantly here. She writes all the music but the inclusion of that said, Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares Vocal Academy:  Dora Hristova (choir conducting, bells), Mirela Asenova, Violeta Marinova, Stanislava Bobeva, Elizabet Janeva, Lubomira Pavlova, Maria Krusteva, Polina Paunova, Boryana Vasileva, Maria Georga, Radostina Nikolova, Elichka Krastanova / along with the composer herself, Emmi Kujanpaa: vocals, 11 and 40 string kanteles, jewelry percussions /  Eero Grundstrom: Harmonium, vocals / Jarkko Niemela: Trumpet, vocals / and Sauli Heikkila: Tuvan throat singing, Morin khuur, all make for one lush and richly ornamental, alternating with bare soul haunting solo voice and sometimes 40 string kantele (Finnish folk zither), not without episodes of deep trance Tuvan throat singing, ritual air exhale, choral heights only angels flutter around in, and the delicate otherworld of her kantele performance.

These are songs describing life for women, all the strong and sure emotions including joy, dreams, desires, sadness, hurt, pain, and the result of a now well known #meetoo movement. On 'Milenkalle : A Song For Milenka' (track #5), a mournful ballad of unequal beauty is produced with the exquisite trumpet and added male vocals of Jarkko Niemela. It is such a touching reverberation, it is like birth. With the many emotions in 'Nani' they all contain one common precious character. That one thing is radiance. The gorgeous music has a sacred adornment, authentic soul display, and the scope of the most daring mountaineer. All of Emmi's music is done with full sincerity and care. The physical format of compact disc is presented in a 6 panel digipak, with booklet, picture disc, and info inside.

The fusion of styles is quite stunning as with 'Sirkus Savonia' (track #8) that brings in polka, happy bouncing folk and has energy galore. Oh such smart writing and intertwine of genres. It keeps getting better. And knowing Kujanpaa's resume will have the listener understanding her total errant but fully captivating and ultimately impeccable compositions. She works in Celenka, a traditional 3 piece outfit that composes and plays music from Karelia to Balkan. She conducts Kukuvitsa, a large 14-member choir performs Bulgarian vocal music, but also traditional village songs from other Balkan countries and Finno-Ugric folklore regions. She stays busy doing lectures and classes on the kantele. We are blessed to have this solo, which is one fantastic platter. We can only hope she makes more solo albums. She clearly has an abundance of talent, and makes music that ranges from melancholy, joyful, spiritual, and that is filled with suffering, then celebration, all touching the hearts of the audience. This easily makes my TOP CHOICES OF 2020 list. A HUGE RECOMMENDATION!

 Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 - 30 - 2020
​
​
AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

© 2023 by Name of Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

 
 
BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
​
​
​
​
Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
drumlee@proton.me
​
This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
​
Donate with PayPal

ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

bottom of page