Aleksi Heinola Quartet Aleksi Heinola Quartet

• 1 Up & Down 07:25
• 2 Big Push 06:25
• 3 Peace 05:37
• 4 Bolivia 06:24
• 5 New Vibes 06:38
• 6 Vananta Land 06:24
• 7 10 Points 05:17
• 8 Rio 05:15
• 9 415 Central Park West 05:00
• 10 Pronto 04:44
• 11 Think Of One 06:02
• 12 Tetragon 06:06
• 13 Soul Eyes 07:51
• Total Runtime 01:19:08

Info for Aleksi Heinola Quartet

In the autumn of 2021, four musicians and close friends joined forces for a week of touring and recording. This double longplayer album captures the essence of their appraise live performances accumulating in a 2-day recording frenzy at the legendary Finnvox studios Helsinki. The album features a mix of new and original Aleksi Heinola compositions and works by jazz greats such as Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Joe Henderson, and Cedar Walton.

The recording session was intense, with the group experimenting and playing together nonstop for two days. Their pre-studio performances shaped the music and created a expressive atmosphere in the studio, capturing the tight interplay and energy of a group fresh off tour.

Aleksi’s latest album represents a significant progression from his prior releases. However, he remains steadfast in his unwavering devotion to the jazz style that he holds most dear. The album serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy of hard-bop, characterized by its emphasis on captivating melodic phrasing, infectious swing rhythms, and a distinctive artistic flair that sets it apart from other modern works within the genre.

The quartet is composed of an impressive array of talent, featuring Finnish drummer Aleksi Heinola, Hungarian tenor saxophonist Gábor Bolla, Finnish pianist Jukkis Uotila, and Swedish double bassist Daniel Franck. A must-listen for any jazz enthusiast looking for a fresh and captivating sound.

“The spirit of vintage hard-bop is reimagined on the first great jazz record of 2023! Originals and compositions by Waldron, Shorter, Monk, and more travel new yet familiar paths as the Aleksi Heinola Quartet pilot the grooves with swing, style, and stellar musicianship” (Syd Schwartz, Jazz and Coffee)

"A contemporary Finnish group, and a great one too – a combo who play with the sharp, soulful tones of a Blue Note lineup from the 60s – but all without ever sounding like they’re trying to copy that mode too much! Instead, these guys just have a proud, confident sense of their strengths – which they bring to their music in a wonderful way. The set’s got this mix of sophistication and swing – a bit like late 60s work by Hank Mobley or Lee Morgan – and titles include the originals 'Bossa 69', 'Three Fiddy', 'Rudy', and 'Silver Maze' – plus a groovy take on 'Wives & Lovers'." (Dusty Groove)

Gábor Bolla, tenor saxophone
Jukkis Uotila, piano
Daniel Franck, double bass
Aleksi Heinola, drums

Produced by Johan Fredrik Lavik

Aleksi Heinola
Aleksi's new international quartet, featuring Copenhagen-based saxophonist Gabor Bolla and bassist Daniel Franck, took to the decks, with 38 on piano the day after the concert. Finnish Jazz Legend Jukkis Uotila.

Already a few years ago, with the Aleksi Heinola Quintet Heinola showed that the 60's Blue Note bop was in the bag and that was the name of the game this time, perhaps even more purely refined. Strongly throughout the duo's set, the music brought to mind the 60s music of Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, with one tune from Shorter, The Big Push.

Heinola has a brash personality as a drummer, and it didn't take long to get into the groove. Heinola likes to play with a rather heavy hand, which requires confidence and strong playing from his playing partners. Uotila's piano playing fitted this environment like a glove and Franck's bass had enough confidence.

Perhaps the best part of the whole concert was when the band was invited on stage for an encore and the standard Four was played very well.

Apparently there will be an album from this band later this year on the Jazzaggression label, and we were looking forward to it.

This album contains no booklet.