Ensio & Kusiset Tassut is a young Finnish band that offers Progressive Rock with retro sounds and a personal touch. On December 13, 2021 the album “Uuden Ajan Odottaja” was released via ETSM-äänilevyt record label and contains 7 medium-long length tracks. The album opens with “Tähtisumuun” which immediately proposes a fine mix of keyboards on a solid rhythmic session and well-made guitar inserts. Very intense right from the start, it is a track full of tempo changes that reminds us of the magical 70s and bands like the ELP but with a modern and personal touch. The headboards are at the center of the project, guiding the sound both in the melodies and in the solos, the vocal in Finnish is also retro, very warm and expressive. Good alternation of sung parts and instrumental sections, in which there are interesting phrases between guitar and keyboard, an album that immediately comes to life and involves the listener. “Tuulet Nuolee” begins with pompous keyboards and the vocals on a solid and linear rhythm session, with the tempo changes that follow each other, a real added value for their sound. The intensity increases with the passage of the piece, developed on the keyboard phrases, with the rhythm in continuous evolution and with the classic sounds of the Prog re-proposed in a modern key. With a harder and more powerful atmosphere opens “Monaco” where the keyboards are the protagonists with melodies that are stratified. The vocal is more melancholic and with choral features, while the structure of the piece is enriched by the tempo changes and the sounds are 70’s style, with a great trumpet solo in the second part. Another beautiful journey that takes us back in time, presenting the classic sounds of the Nordic Prog. “Päivän Sä Teet” is a short 1 minute passage with keyboards and guitar against an atmospheric background, dampening the tones with ethereal melodies. Linking to the synth melodies of the previous “Muuttuvat Maisemat” it immediately presents a solid rhythmic session and intricate keyboard melodies. The vocal is effected and more Psychedelic than the previous songs, as well as the sounds are always Prog but more Acid. Good developments of the central theme that recurs during the more than 6 minutes of the piece, to which are added interesting keyboard inserts, with the organ protagonist of the melodies and the synth of the solo. “Uneton Tarina” begins with organ melodies reminiscent of the sounds at the turn of the 60s and 70s, the rhythmic session in the first part is more linear and the vocal more melodic. In the second part the atmosphere becomes darker and the plots become more intricate with the keyboards protagonists of the instrumental section, intertwining in the solos with the guitar to close the track in crescendo. Closes the disc “Tänään, Eilen/Samettiaurinko” which opens with a guitar arpeggio and intricate keyboard inserts that are layered. the rhythmic session is very elaborate, while with the entry of the vocal the structure becomes more linear and the atmosphere alternates pompous passages with other intricate ones. The tempo changes are an added value and the alternation between vocal parts and instrumental sections is good, offering a pleasant guitar solo in the final. This band was able to recreate the musical atmospheres of the first prog records, so to speak the sounds are those of the late 60s. The keyboards are the protagonists of both the melodies and the solos, with the guitar offering excellent ideas and the vocal adapts well to the various situations of the album. A pleasant listening and a debut album that offers intense passages and interesting ideas, recommended to all lovers of Retro Prog sounds, giving it a personal and fresh touch.
Tracklist
01. Tähtisumuun (7:54)
02. Tuulet Nuolee (5:27)
03. Monaco (4:31)
04. Päivän Sä Teet (1:01)
05. Muuttuvat Maisemat (6:05)
06. Uneton Tarina (5:26)
07. Tänään, Eilen / Samettiaurinko (7:33)
Lineup
Eeli Räsänen / Drums, Percussion
Timi Kuosmanen / Vocals, Guitar
Olli Talsi / Philicorda, Boog, Organ
With:
Leo Sivonen / Trumpet (3)
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