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180 gram Black Virgin Vinyl with a free Download Code included!

Having tributes for his musical role models and kindred spirits, is the concept behind Iiro Rantala's solo recording Lost Heroes. Jean Sibelius, Finland's national classical hero, is of course amongst those selected. The piece "Jean and Aino" shows the unconventional, surprising and captivating way in which Rantala becomes closer to his personal heroes. Rantala is not satisfied with using what would normally be included in a homage, such as a simple interpretation of the artist's work. Instead, he seeks out astonishingly accurate parallels, references or conversions - see how he perfectly characterises another Finnish classical artist, Pekka Pohjola, with an Erik Satie-style piece, immersed in a delicate northern sheen. His impulsively played "Can't Get Up", played solely into the deeper ranges to evoke an electric bass solo, is a tribute to Jaco Pastorius. On "Donna Lee" he brings Art Tatum's pioneering technique back to life, whilst on "Bluesette" it is the incomparable elegance of Oscar Peterson. On "One More Waltz for Michel Petrucciani", it is the unique timing and Gallic elements which can be heard in every note, while with "Thinking of Misty" Rantala reveals the humour of Erroll Garners playing. Particularly impressive is the homage to Esbjörn Svensson. On "Tears for Esbjörn", Rantala captures in a very personal way the shock that the tragic and premature death of the pioneering "pop star of jazz" triggered throughout the whole world. Along with several other pieces on Lost Heroes, "Tears for Esbjörn" is undoubtedly dark, but beautiful at the same time. The New York pianist and arranger Gil Goldstein quite rightly said: "Rantala is a pianistic sensation who makes the strongest case I know to believe in reincarnation because his pianistic technique and musical sensitivity speak of depths which appear impossible to have been achieved in this lifetime alone."

Track Listing