Kultasiipi – Goldwing (Eclipse Music, 2015)
Keyboardist and composer Juha Kujanpää is back with another fabulous album that crosses over into various musical genres. Kultasiipi – Goldwing presents an outstanding fusion of progressive rock, Finnish folk music, jazz and classical music. On this occasion, the keyboards, guitar, bass and drums are joined by a string ensemble that provides a unique Finnish fiddle flavor to Juha Kujanpää’s music.
Throughout the album, the strings intermingle with the keyboards and guitars, creating circular dances and beautiful melodic interplay. Occasionally, you will hear traces of the great master Pekka Pohjola, but Juha Kujanpää has carved his own niche in Finnish music.
Most of the album is a mix of Finnish folk music with symphonic progressive rock with beautiful acoustic introspective segments and high intensity prog rock. The lineup includes Juha Kujanpää on keyboards; Timo Kämäräinen on guitars, banjo; Tero Tuovinen on bass; Jussi Miettola on drums; Kukka Lehto, Tommi Asplund, Alina Järvelä on violins (I recognize these fiddlers from the great folk band Frigg).
Guests featured on Kultasiipi – Goldwing: Antti Sarpila on clarinet; Henri Haapakoski on flute, sax; Emmi Kujanpää on vocals; and Teija Niku on accordion.
Although released late in 2015, Kultasiipi – Goldwing has quickly risen to the top of best progressive rock albums of 2015.