Verneri Pohjola Quartet - Ancient History (2012)

To clarify where one is standing now and what the future might hold, it is often worthwhile to take a look back to the beginning. This goes for Ancient History as well the album title emerged from a song that was originally called Ancient History of 1991 . I began to play the trumpet in 1992. The song reminded me of the time before that. Later Siggi Loch and I thought it might be a suitable name for the whole album. Indeed, the eight pieces have a distinctly grand and epic quality, from the classic-sounding ballads through to the more modern songs and passages. The biggest difference to Pohjola's previous album (and ACT debut) Aurora is certainly the instrumentation. Whereas Aurora included fifteen musicians, Ancient History gets along with an intimate quartet line-up: Aki Rissanen on piano, Joonas Riippa on drums and Antti Lötjönen on bass. In addition, the alto saxophonist Jukka Perko joins them for one track, and the percussionist Tatu Rönkkö for three. All of these musicians are Pohjola s longstanding companions. Ancient History may appear less monumental than its predecessor, but it is also more deft and light-footed. Once again Pohjola shows he is a master of combining styles, moods and sounds.

Tracklist:

1.Deism
2. But This One Goes In Four
3. Ancient History
4. Hyperballad
5. White View
6. Cheap Taxi Adventure
7. Thunderous Thoughts
8. Ballad 18

All compositions by Verneri Pohjola, except Hyperballad by Björk.

Verneri Pohjola, trumpet Aki Rissanen, piano Joonas Riippa, drums Antti Lötjönen, bass

Jukka Perko, altosaxophone (6) Tatu Rönkkö, percussion (4, 5, 8)