Open
Hush Hush, 2022
8/10
A Finnish, ambient jazz duo, Tapani Rinne brings his saxophone and clarinet to Juha Mäki-Patola’s piano, organ, guitar and synth on this highly adventurous but also very sparse display that will also to atypical neo-classical fans.
“Brevity” starts the listen with plenty of atmosphere, as emotive sax is met with a dreamy background, and “Open Part I” follows with a similar approach that places a chilling, ambient quality from the keys amid the soulful brass.
In the middle, “Leave” finds itself in very mysterious territory that’s quite intimate, while “Peak” floats with light and airy jazz ideas in its soothing, meticulous nature.
“Fall” and “Hover” exit the listen, where the former emits bare but impactful keys alongside low clarinet, and the latter is more firmly planted in jazz sounds, where the duo’s inimitable skills mesh together with much beauty.
A record that’s cinematic and glacial in its charming demeanor, this is a mesmerizing and creative collaboration, and hopefully the first of many between the pair.
Travels well with: Rob Burger- Marching With Feathers; Lunar Noon- Symbolic Creature