Alexi Tuomarila: Departing the Wasteland

Finnish pianist and composer Alexi Tuomarila's fourth album on Edition Records marks a new blending of his long-standing trio with expansive orchestrations and subtle electronic textures with Departing the Wasteland. Anchored by his collaboration with bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori, the album reflects the trio's dynamic chemistry after two decades of explorations, which now take on new creative horizons with the addition of Portuguese guitarist André Fernandes.

The narrative of Departing the Wasteland is grounded in Tuomarila's experiences and emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a commission to write for trio and symphony orchestra. These experiences propelled Tuomarila away from his previously head-and-solo-driven compositions toward an expanded structure with a group-oriented approach to music-making. The result is an album that brings in different ensemble sounds to make each selection a journey. On select tracks, guest artists include Gil Silva on trombone, Jose Pedro Coelho on tenor saxophone, and Joao Guimaraes on alto saxophone and flute.

The album opens with the compelling "Towards Dark Light," where Tuomarila's evolving composition has an expanded form and a playful and memorable melody. During Tuomarila's solo, his rhythmic lines are infused with echoes of European classical music and American jazz traditions. The phrasing of his single-note passages recalls the delicate touch required to perform composers like Haydn and Mozart. His melodic choices include those composers' use of chromaticism and chromatic approaches to chord tones that are also firmly rooted in the American jazz idiom.

One of the album's defining features is the integration of electronics, which are used to further give purpose to new sounds and colors. On "Gaman," the Nordic aesthetic grounds the music. Fernandes' guitar brings a rock-fusion sound to the mix, while Tuomarila's use of synthesizers adds color. The track's seamless transition from acoustic to electronic sounds exemplifies the ensemble's fluidity in switching between the two, marking a distinct departure from some of Tuomarila's earlier work. In "Inner Wasteland," this texture is further enriched by Silva's trombone, Guimarães alto sax and flute, and Coelho's saxophone.

The core quartet's chemistry remains a consistent highlight as the album progresses. The track "Moreeni," with its upbeat groove and layering of jazz and fusion elements, offers an upward-reaching melody that is vibrant and expressive. Eilertsen's bass provides the drive, and Louhivuori's energetic drumming pushes the piece forward. Each section of the composition has a new sonic territory, with Tuomarila's piano and synthesizer work providing just the right touch of expressive colors and moods.

In contrast to these more dynamic pieces, "Aether" offers a brief but poignant interlude that shows the ensemble's ability to build growing and dynamic musical passages. This short, sonorous track encapsulates the album's theme of transformation; its growing textures bring the album back to the trio's intimate acoustic roots. The deep, rumbling bass of Eilertsen and Louhivuori's textural drumming provides the perfect backdrop to Tuomarila's growing piano textures.

The closing track, "Circle," brings all Tuomarila's compositional and arranging skills to the forefront. The expanded ensemble, featuring the brass and reed sections, enhances the track's energy and sonic palette. Coelho's tenor sax solo is a highlight. Tuomarila's use of acoustic piano and synths throughout the track provides an intriguing contrast.

Through his experimentation with orchestrations and electronics, Tuomarila maintains his trademark lyricism while embracing new forms and structures. His compositions can be heard incorporating a mix of modern and traditional to create a sound that is contemporary and deeply rooted in his Finnish heritage. With the strong synergy of his long-standing trio and the added textures brought by Fernandes and the guest musicians, Departing the Wasteland is an album that has a distinct musical voice.

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