Trumpet man Jukka Eskola, ranking among the leading instrumentalists of his generation, comes through with his second solo album entitled “Walkover”. Released by Ricky-Tick Records in the fall of 2009, the album further strengthens Eskola’s foothold at the forefront of contemporary jazz in Finland and beyond.
Jukka Eskola, previously known from the ranks of The Five Corners Quintet, Nuspirit Helsinki, and the Jimi Tenor band, to name but a few, is one of the key characters in the growing interest towards Finnish jazz during the early 21st century. In addition to his solid teamwork in various ensembles, the man has one successful solo outing under his belt. His self-titled debut saw the light of day in 2005 and established Eskola as a force to be reckoned with, gaining especially strong support in Japan.
Whereas Eskola’s debut was a stylishly postmodern package of contemporary jazz, “Walkover” keeping the essentials but introducing a host of new elements as well, is a solid step into the next level. The album, produced by Teppo “Teddy Rok” Mäkynen, is the brainchild of two friends with a vision. The new album is a compact batch of nine tracks dipping into the world of 1970’s funk-influenced jazz imprints such as CTI, but simultaneously staying firmly on the level with contemporary ideas of sound and composition in order to forge a fresh sound with both firm roots and a rich foliage.
The “Walkover” roster comprises of a tough cast of characters from the A-list of the Finnish jazz scene. The core quartet includes Jukkis Uotila on Rhodes and bass player Antti Lötjönen (of The Five Corners Quintet fame), in addition to Eskola and Mäkynen. Other hard-hitters featured in the sessions were Timo Lassy on sax, Mikko Mustonen on trombone, and composer Jussi Lampela who is responsible for the lush string arrangements heard on the album.
All in all, Eskola’s second swings in a delightfully stylish and colourful manner, led by the trumpet maestro’s cool charm as a soloist, and taking paths not easily predicted. A good introduction into the album’s world would be the first single release, ‘Chip ‘n’ Charge’ – an irresistible groove which unfolds piece by piece, not revealing all of its potential during the first few bars of the composition.
One of the album’s hidden themes has little to do with jazz per se. Jukka Eskola loves tennis, and some of the tracks derive their terminology and inspiration from the tennis court. It is no wonder then, that the album’s very title “Walkover” (an unopposed victory) is one of them, since Eskola and his producer Mäkynen followed each one of the thirty or so recording sessions with a mutual tennis match.
