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There was a time when the saxophone was the star attraction in jazz. So one of the ‘problems’ for any young saxophone player is the inevitable comparison with the true greats such as John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders.

Of course, one of the reasons for such comparisons for Timo Lassy is that the ‘Helsinki’ sound is very much a classic jazz vibe. Gene Ammons is also mentioned as an influence and Timo’s playing on ‘African Rumble’ is powerful and fluent with a great R&B gutsy edge to it. Imagine the rolling plains of the Serengeti meets the Blue Note club in New York. One for the dance floor this one with a powerful rythmn and great piano playing.

This record is a double AA without a doubt. ‘High At Noon’ takes us for a walk in the park on a glorious day without a care in the world. I can see why The Guardian’s John Walters described Timo’s playing as “a story-telling approach”. Both tracks conjure up images and experiences within you.

One of the reasons this release stands out is that Timo is joined by fellow quality jazzheads. Fellow Five Corners Quintet member Teddy Rok (aka Teppo Mäkynen) plays the drums and has produced these tracks. The line up is completed with Antti Lötjönen (bass) and Greece’s Georgios Kontrafouris (piano).

In addition to the FCQ, Timo is also to be found on Teddy Rok’s Universal Four album and he makes an appearance on ‘1974’ by Trumpeter Jukka Eskola (yet another member of Five Corners Quintet and Teddy Rok Seven) on Schema’s Freedom Jazz Dance Book II.

Hopefully this is just a taster for an album.

Timo Lassy - ‘African Rumble / High At Noon’ (Ricky-Tick Records) Cat. No. RT008 12” Release Date: 20.02.2006
Tracklisting:
A African Rumble (6:21)
AA High At Noon (5:14)

Links:
Timo Lassy
Ricky-Tick Records www.ricky-tick.com
More Greek Jazz @ muse.gr www.muse.gr