JPP - Artology (Finland 2006) @320

JPP Järvelän Pikkupelimannit (“Little Folk Musicians of Järvelä”) formed in 1982 in the fiddling capital of Finland (and perhaps the world), Kaustinen. Born from the fiddling tradition of the Järvelä family, in Järvelä village in Kaustinen, JPP’s musical roots go back to the 19th century. Their initial spark came from the local and national folk music boom in the 80s, particularly the phenomenal national success of Kaustinen fiddler/composer Konsta Jylhä, and their distinctive skills at composing and arranging immediately emerged, forming the basis for their style, appeal and future career.

JPP members have experience and training in musical genres outside folk music, for example classical and jazz, therefore expanding the scope of their music far wider than ordinary fiddle groups. In effect, JPP have created a style all their own, one that is impossible to categorize easily and one which continuously surprises.

JPP has toured and performed on every continent and has a collection of ten albums to their credit. Their new album Artology exhibits the brilliant composing skills of fiddler Arto Järvelä while simultaneously sending the listener on an exciting melodic journey through the heart of Ostrobothnian fiddle country and JPP’s own imagination, featuring plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

Artology album by Jpp was released Aug 01, 2006 on the NorthSide label. With their four fiddles, JPP have always come across like a small orchestra, especially with the agile bass work behind them and the chorded harmonium to fill out the sound. While their material isn't traditional, the sound of the past is a strong influence on all they do -- but brought up to date, as on "Hämmennys" (Perplexcity), an impressionist view of 9/11. Artology songs It's a disc with plenty of light and shade and a great deal of joy, whether on the elegantly complex "En Till Sven," the gorgeous "Käyden," which moves with easy grace, or even the Western swing of "Stuffologie," inspired by the great Stuff Smith. Artology album One of the beauties of JPP is that they're never constrained by style -- they're as comfortable on "Tango de Caro" as they are on "Roudaneristyspolkka," with its strong overtones of their native Finland. Artology CD music It might not be a long album, just under 50 minutes, but every second is a joy (and keep it going for the elusive hidden track). Artology music CDs As usual,JPP deliver the goods. ~ Chris Nickson


Tracklist:
1.    En till Sven (One for Sven)    3:12
2.    Tomahuta & Pöhölö    6:34
3.    Hämmennys (Perplexcity)    5:06
4.    Murhe (Grief)    5:57
5.    Tango de Caro    2:59
6.    Yli Äyräiden (Over the Banks)    3:59
7.    Sutela (Sutherland)    3:34
8.    Käyden (Andante)    4:34
9.    Roudaneristyspolkka (The Frost Separation Polka)    2:06
10.    Stuffologie (live at the Kaustinen Festival '05)    11:39
11.    [silence]    0:05