Volume II Mortality

• 1 For Oona (Prologue) 03:32
• 2 Towards Darkness 05:57
• 3 The Expanding Universe, Pt. I 06:22
• 4 The Expanding Universe, Pt II 05:51
• 5 Mortality, Pt. II 08:04
• 6 For Oona (Reprise) 05:01
• 7 Desperate Measures 08:13
• Total Runtime 43:00

Info for Volume II

The Finnish jazz collective Mortality impressed audiences and earned notable acclaim with their 2019 self-titled album. Heavier than words can express, it gracefully carries the emotional burden of composer and producer Tapio Ylinen's personal tragedy. Skillfully blending contemporary jazz with progressive rock, the album unfolds as a musical journey filled with tenderness and hope.

In 2024, the ensemble makes a comeback with the continuation of the Mortality project: 'Mortality vol. II'. Having dedicated the past years to crafting a beautiful sequel to the initial release, Tapio Ylinen's compositions evolve alongside him and mirror his personal journey through life.

In 'Mortality volume II', Tapio Ylinen’s soulful compositions are brought to life by the new lineup, comprising of Jori Huhtala on bass, Mika Kallio on drums, Mikael Myrskog on keyboards and Johannes Granroth on guitar, a top class wind & brass section with Manuel Dunkel, Max Zenger, Mikko Pettinen and 'Gunu' Karjalainen. Guitarists Teemu Viinikainen makes a special appearance as well as vocalist Teri Mantere. Tapio himself joins the band, playing guitar in several tracks.

This release marks Mortality's maturation as both a project and a band, showcasing the quality and effort invested by its members in their craft. One can only imagine the heights that 'Mortality' will reach—take this single as a testament to their passion and dedication to quality.

"All of Mortality is about as good as music gets, from the first track all the way to the last." - Peter Thelen, Exposé Magazine

"These eight tracks paint a vivid picture of what it means to be human." - Petri Silas, Finnish Music Quarterly

Tapio Ylinen, guitars
Johannes Granroth, guitar
Manuel Dunkel, tenor saxophone
Max Zenger, alto saxophone
Mikko Pettinen, trumpet
Mikko "Gunu" Karjalainen, trumpet, flugelhorn
Jori Huhtala, double bass, electric bass
Mikael Myrskog, keyboards
Mika Kallio, drums
Guests:
Teemu Viinikainen, guitar (track 6)
Teri Mantere, vocals (track 7)

Recorded by Joonas Saikkonen, Finnvox Studios, Helsinki
Mixed and mastered by Jarno Alho, Alho Audio Mastering, Tampere

Mortality
Bringing together an all-star cast of musicians from the vibrant Helsinki jazz scene the Finnish jazz supergroup Mortality released its self titled debut on November 29th 2019 on vinyl LP, CD and digital streaming formats. The album went on to become one of the best selling jazz records in Finland in 2019-2020 and got nominated for Jazz Album of the Year. The highly anticipated follow-up album Mortality vol. II has been recorded and is expected to be released in late 2023 / early 2024.

The concept of the original Mortality album was the brainchild of the group’s producer Tapio Ylinen, who wrote the bulk of the compositions after the tragic death of his wife in 2015. For the album, each member of the ensemble took on the task of arranging the pieces of music to create a cohesive piece of art under a unified theme.

Mortality combines the conceptual aesthetics of progressive rock with the harmonic and tonal soundscapes of jazz and jazz improvisation. Despite the heavy subject matter the music on the album is delicate, melodic and hopeful. Each member gives their own, distinctive interpretation of the topic in their pieces, while Ylinen’s melodic language keeps the overall piece coherent as a whole. The cover art by graphic artist Aarni Ylinen gives the final touch to the album as a conceptual piece of art.

This album contains no booklet.