snobb Possibly not every jazz fan knows, but Finnish jazz scene was extremely active and of very high class during late 60s - early 70s. Plenty of jazz clubs,regular concerts of world leading jazz artists and very inspired atmosphere between young domestic musicians and bands.From 1969 to 1972 or 1973 there are some excellent world class fusion albums, recorded by young Finnish jazz musicians. Leading names of that wave were Pekka Pohjola,Jukka Tolonen and Eero Koivistoinen. Fusion fever got burned very soon, but Finnish jazz scene saved excellent jazz school and jazz lovers culture in general for decades.Leading jazz artists of that time continued their musical career, possibly no more as super stars of young generation, but as excellent musicians on local and international jazz scene.

Two decades later leading Finnish reeds player Eero Koivistoinen recorded possibly his strongest release for almost twenty years - Altered Things. Almost all collaborators on this album are highest class American post-fusion musicians, including such names as drummer Jack DeJohnette, trumpeter Randy Brecker or guitarist John Scofield. The only other non-American musician besides of Eero himself is leading Norwegian keyboardist Bugge Wesseltoft (presented on 3 tracks). Album was recorded in New Yourk as well and its sound represent fantastic combination of American jazz tradition (read - electric period Miles Davis,etc) and Nordic clear and precise sound.

All compositions but two are Koivistoinen's and represent mainly post-fusion's era neo-bop.Crystal sound, reeds soloing perfection, compositions, varied in tunes and rhythmical structure all are just best contemporary post-bop could be find!And possibly one more important ingredient - this album sounds as recorded in mid 90s, but by its inspiration comes from late 60s!

Listen to this release if you're disappointed in modern (in moments secondary and boring) post-bop and you will feel the taste to that genre again!