Rakka
Tampere, Ostrobothnia, Finland | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | INDIE
Music
Press
Mykorritsan Valtakunta is the sophomore release from Rakka: Tommi Kolunen (trumpet, flugelhorn), Masa Orpana (tenor sax, clarinet), Kusti Vuorinen (accordion, organ), Janne Tuomi (drums, percussion) and Ville Rauhala (bass). A retro effort, the music strongly echoes Blue Note-era hardbop, derivative in this sense, but with original ingredients arising from the quintet’s interest in Finnish folk music, Afropop and other styles. Orpana attains a clear, sweet sound on clarinet, his tenor waxing from wistful to full honk while Vuorinen’s accordion and organ pads evoke spooky, ethereal atmospheres. - New York City Jazz Record, January 2014, Tom Greenland
Rakka from Tampere combines Eastern tones and misty melodies with their local heritage in their music brimming with tasty compositional hooks and the underlying sense of swinging. Taking the stage after Cyrille and Innanen, the quintet presented a setlist lifted mostly from their latest offering, ”Mykorritsan Valtakunta” released in late 2013 by Lumpeela Julkaisut, one of Finland’s most far-reachig independent labels. Instead of dancing, an equally likely option, the public mostly opted for highly concentrated listening, fitting well to the mystic mood of the Rakka performance. Compositions such as ”Citykettu” (Finnish for ”The CIty Fox”) proved that the ensemble is increasingly becoming a force to be reckoned with. - Musc Finland, Matti Nives
Discography
Soutu (2012) Lumpeela Julkaisut
Mykorritsan valtakunta (2014) Lumpeela Julkaisut
Photos
Bio
Rakka (Fin)
Janne Tuomi drumsVille Rauhala doublebass
Masa Orpana saxophone, flute
Tommi Kolunen trumpet
Kusti Vuorinen accordion, organ, percussions
Rakka is an improvising instrumental
quintet from Finland. Rakka has released two renowned albums: the first album Soutu (means rowing) by
Lumpeela Julkaisut was released in 2012 and the 2nd album Mykorritsan Valtakunta in 2014. Both of the albums have been distributed in Finland, UK, Germany, Switzerland and
Austria. Rakka music is a unique combination of musical influences from Finnish
folk music, old dancehall music, blues, gospel and jazz. It is rhythmic, melodic
and includes a lot of improvisation.
With strong basis in classical education drummer/percussionist Janne Tuomi (b. 1973) explores the boundaries of sound in various situations from symphony orchestras to solo concerts and from rock and jazz gigs to composed and improvised contemporary chamber music and everything in between. Tuomi has performed with John Zorn (Cobra) and with Finnish avant rock cult band Circle, appeared as a symphony orchestra soloist with Minoru Mikis Z-Concerto, and given solo concerts in venues ranging from punkrock clubs to contemporary music festivals such as Tampere Biennale.
Ville Rauhala (b. 1976) is probably known best as the bass player of Black Motor, the experimental jazz trio from Tampere, but he is working with several other projects as well. Rauhala released his debut solo album in 2010 and has also recorded and performed with saxophonist Masa Orpana, saxophonist Petrio Nieminen, trombonist/accordeonist Kusti Vuorinen, Rakka and Olmari Unioni. He also frequently performs as a theatre musician in Tampere and as a studio musician in the field of popular music, having recorded with vocalists Ville Leinonen, Pate Mustajrvi and M. A. Numminen, among others. He has also collaborated with singer/songwriter Janne Laurila and guitarist/vocalist Pauli Hanhiniemi.
Masa Orpana (b. 1973) is a Kangasala based musician. His instruments are saxophones, clarinet, flute and guitar. During the years Orpana has played in various combos including Groovy Eyes, Rakka, Olmarin Unioni, Honky Tonk Men, Anssi Tikanmki Orchestra and Anssi Tikanmki Film Orchestra, Jazzgangsters, White Giant, One O'Clock Humph and Masa Orpana Honk. His playing style combines influences from Rythm 'n' Blues, Jazz, improvised music and rock.
Trumpetist Tommi Kolunen (b. 1976) is a true multifaceted musician. Kolunen has played in various bands during the years from classical music to jazz and beyond. He is occasionally heard in thetre plays but also as a studio musician for several records varying from ska and heavy metal music to pop and rock albums.
Musician, visual artist and organic farmer Kusti Vuorinen (b. 1974) si best known from Rakka and New Garden Orchestra to name a few. This highly productive musician has also composed the music of Black Motor's Jazz-Emma award nominated record Hoojaa.
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