Utopianisti – Reason in Motion (Unnecessary Leftover Music, 2024)
Utopianisti’s sixth album, Reason in Motion, brings forward a powerful blend of jazz-rock, progressive elements, Afrobeat jams and African rhythms. The brainchild of Finnish composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Markus Pajakkala, Utopianisti has evolved since its inception in 2010. This latest album pushes genre boundaries through collaboration with Senegalese percussionist Ismaila Sané and musicians from Tampere’s vibrant jazz scene.
The album’s inspiration emerged in 2015 through a collaboration between Pajakkala and Sané, sparking Pajakkala’s vision of combining African influences with jazz-rock. Although Pajakkala initially began recording Reason in Motion in a one-instrument-at-a-time process during the COVID-19 lockdown, he ultimately assembled a nine-piece live ensemble, including Mauritian percussionist Gilbert Kuppusami, to capture the raw, energetic, percussive sound he envisioned.
Recorded live, Reason in Motion emphasizes outstanding, intense rhythmic interplay and high energy performances without excessive studio refinement. The release also marks Pajakkala’s venture into independent production through his new label, Unnecessary Leftover Music.
Pajakkala is recognized within Finland’s progressive and jazz music communities, having worked with notable groups such as Von Hertzen Brothers and Njet Njet 9. He has collaborated with artists from Metallica to Jason Mraz through roles at Yousician and Musopia. as a consequence, he remains a highly influential figure in Finnish music, with his compositions reaching over two billion plays worldwide.
Fans can dive into Utopianisti’s journey through behind-the-scenes footage on YouTube, presenting the project’s evolution from its early studio-driven albums to the collaborative, genre-defying sound of Reason in Motion.
Pajakkala says: “I’m always on the lookout for different kinds of human energies reflecting into music. This time, inspired by the political activism of Fela Kuti, I wanted to have a rhythm forcing you to move, but activating your brain at the same time – thus Reason In Motion. To give you power to make changes for the better, not stand aside ignorant when stupid things happen, but also try to actively understand the opposing view.”
Musicians: Ismaila Sané on percussion, voice (left channel); Gilbert Kuppusami on percussion, voice (right channel); Ville Hatanpää on drums; Jaakko Luoma on bass; Matti Salo on guitar; Anssi Solismaa on keyboards; Olli ”Trumpenator” Helin on trumpet; Inari Ruonamaa on alto sax; Markus Pajakkala on baritone and tenor sax, flute, additional synthesizers, percussion, and vocals.
Conceived, produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Markus Pajakkala.
Recorded live at Pajakkalab November 2022.
All music by Markus Pajakkala, except “Yegaa Intro” & “Yegaa Nu Betaa” by Pajakkala/
Sané and poem in “Jaa Di Burung” by Sané.
Cover art and layout by Veera Arstio.
Buy Reason in Motion.