Artlogy

With their four fiddles, JPP have always come across like a small orchestra, especially with the agile bass work behind them and the chorded harmonium to fill out the sound. While their material isn't traditional, the sound of the past is a strong influence on all they do — but brought up to date, as on "Hämmennys" (Perplexcity), an impressionist view of 9/11. It's a disc with plenty of light and shade and a great deal of joy, whether on the elegantly complex "En Till Sven," the gorgeous "Käyden," which moves with easy grace, or even the Western swing of "Stuffologie," inspired by the great Stuff Smith. One of the beauties of JPP is that they're never constrained by style — they're as comfortable on "Tango de Caro" as they are on "Roudaneristyspolkka," with its strong overtones of their native Finland. It might not be a long album, just under 50 minutes, but every second is a joy (and keep it going for the elusive hidden track). As usual,JPP deliver the goods.