FINLAND: Aleksi Heinola: Quintet (Jazzaggression 2019)

"Brand new sparkling hard-bop in the Quintet formula, from aspiring Finnish drummer talent Aleksi Heinola!" This is the full album by Aleksi Heinola Quintet, featuring a top cast of Finnish jazz-men: Mikael Jakobsson on Keys (Five Corners Quintet), Mikko Gunu Karjalainen on Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Manuel Dunkel on Tenor Saxophone (UMO Jazz band) and Swedish Daniel Franck on Double Bass. Aleksi wanted to make his debut album where his heart lies musically, in the modern hardbop landscape of past greats like Art Blakey and Horace silver. A strong debut that showcases strong melodies with rich detail and great interplay. Album has 4 originals songs composed by Heinola and 1 cover, comes sealed in laminated UK-flap over sleeve with digital download and additional CD with 4 extra tracks.