You know when you find a jazz group you like, and then think, when are they going to be putting out new music? Such is the case wit this group led by Jukka Eskola; the JUkka Eskola Soul Trio and their newest release on Timmion Records Steamy!, This Finnish jazz set are back for another round, with a smooth combination of soul jazz, progressive jazz, showcasing the best of jazz players in Finland with these pros. JUkka Eskola, trumpet player and Teppo Makynen on the drums, staples of the Helsinki jazz scene since the ’90’s combine together with Mikko Heleva, a pure Hammond pro who conquered the Finnish funk scene since that time as well, have really come together as a force to be reckoned with in Finnish, and world jazz. Stand out tracks fro us are the title side “Steamy!”, a funkier jazz movement that has Eskola and company laying it down on the fatter side, “Five On Three”, which grooves like the best of them, a moody ’60’s Blue Note sound on the seven minute plus “Smash”, plus “Hanky Panky”, a swinger from the first drop. This is the state of jazz right now in Finland, and it’s absolutely fantastic. If they keep making music along these lines, they will go down as one of the finest in jazz. They already are at the moment, and you knew that. If you didn’t, you do now. The packaging is pretty slick too, reminiscent of some late ’50’s and ’60’s Prestige sleeve design, which is a bonus Stream the record below, and grab the record after the stream. Timmion Recods once again proving they are a force to be reckoned with in soul, funk, and jazz recordings.
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