Funktio - Fyyralyyra

FUNKTIO

Helsinki Tapes (1985)

RateYourMusic-arvosteluni:

Funktio seem to have remained in obscurity ever since they released this LP 24 years ago. Nary a mention of them in the web. The lineup of Petri Laurila, Mauno Tuominen, Juha Nauha, Mauri Kiili and Pekka Toivanen cut an album of easy instrumental jazz pop which is undoubtedly too commercial for jazz fans and still too boring for pop fans. But there are a bunch of nice tunes to be found here.

"Helsinki Tapes" might have served well as the soundtrack for a documentary telling about the industrialization of Finland, showing factories, construction sites, power plants, people doing their daily jobs... sort of a small-scale "Koyaanisqatsi" without the criticism.

"Nemesis" is probably the track I like best. Nice keyboard part at the beginning. But I can understand why this isn't better known. Obscure label (SH-Records???), and music that clearly falls between cracks. As background music this is most enjoyable.

Helppoa fuusiojatsia joka ei pärjää edes Mezzofortelle, mutta silti tätä on kiva kuunnella.

Laitan tähän vielä rumpali Pete Laurilan kommentin YouTubesta:

"Mitäs tässä muuta kommentoimaan kuin sitä, että itse rumpalina olen sitä mieltä, että ei ole priimaa. Tehtiin kuitenkin 1 - 3 otolla, kun ei ollut fyrkkaa. Mutta kaikkiaan kuitenkin bueno, hienoja biisejä."

FYYRALYYRA

Fyyralyyra (1977)

Mike Westhues Band / Fyyralyyra: Pop Liisa 14 (1977 / 2017)

FinnArctic-esittely:

Fyyralyyra was formed in Jyväskylä in late spring 1976 as an intention to unite influences from various musical genres and knock down boundaries between them. The musicians in the original lineup were Jouni Koskimäki (piano, mandolin, bouzouki, balalaika, violin, moon lute, acoustic guitar, bass, accordion, vocals), Hannu Lehtoranta (flutes, birch bark horn, alto saxophone, mandolin, percussions, vocals), Hannu Tähtelä (bass, acoustic guitar, tabla, harmonica, Chinese wood drum) and Jarmo Valkola (drums, percussions, tabla).

All members had previously played in numerous local jazz/pop bands. The best known of these were probably Euforia, who even managed to visit Poland and had Valkola as a member for one and a half years. With the exception of him, all boys studied musicology at the time Fyyralyyra was born. Koskimäki also worked as director for two pop groups in Säynätsalo workers' institute.

Fyyralyyra debuted during the Jyväskylä Summer 1976 happenings at a summer club. After this they performed frequently mainly in Southern Finland. The following autumn they sent a tape to TV pop program Iltatähti, which resulted in the band being called to a TV taping session. The results of this taping were later seen and heard several times around the country.

In March 1977 Fyyralyyra cut their first album during one week, under the production of Antero Päiväläinen. The album, released in May, includes many different kinds of music from original folk and jazz-type material to a medieval circle dance sung in medieval French. The main asset of the album is instrumental diversity: the members are capable of handling an impressive array of instruments, which they switch in nearly every track.

Fyyralyyra later changed lineup and switched to playing electric jazz rock. Some of the members played in a jazz rock band called Sähköpaimen. Koskimäki started the duo Notker & Palbulus with Juhani Karjalainen, who played medieval wind instruments. Lehtoranta and Tähtelä played in a quartet called Tuulenkantajat in the early 80's.

Well, I can state that it's a shame Fyyralyyra never made more records than this LP, because this is the best folk album I've heard in my life! Side B is ingenious from start to finish. An old country man starts with an anecdote about an accordion player named Kalle, who had a tendency to drink his accordions away. He got invited to a wedding in Lapua, but since he didn't have an accordion at the time, he borrowed an expensive one from a friend - and drank during the whole 2-day wedding, returning with no accordion left. He didn't have any money to pay his friend the accordion he lost.

After an enjoyable medley of traditionals comes the short but stunning experimental piece "Metsä" (Forest). Triangles, a birch bark horn, a gong, a Chinese wood drum and regular drums create a psychedelic sound collage where you can hear a forest sighing and moaning.

The medley "Itäkarjalaiset ristikontrat" introduces two dance tunes from Eastern Karelia, and includes a free-form jazz middle section.

Fyyralyyra's album is a true gem that's unfortunately very rare and expensive these days. Listen with great dedication - and remember Fyyralyyra's message: "Don't pigeonhole music!"



Tavastian levymessuilta syyskuussa 2011. "Sitä koristaa muutama leima, joissa lukee "Kontiolahden kunnan pääkirjasto". (Toisesta tiskistä bongasin toisen, ei kirjastokappaleen, kympin kalliimmalla hinnalla.) Kirjaston poistolevyksi tosiaan hyväkuntoinen, ei rahise tai haitaksi asti napsu. Pieni roska "Metsän" lopussa, mutta poistin sen ja nyt soi jumittamatta." Näin kirjoitin tuoreeltaan. Fyyralyyran sanoma maailmalle oli: "Älkää lokeroiko musiikkia!", ja levy tosiaan kuvastaa tätä sanomaa. Mukaan on isketty kaikkea: hentoa akustista kitaratunnelmointia, muinaisranskalla laulettua traditionaalia, puheraita, free jazzia, perusjazzia, kansanmusiikkia ja avantgardistista kokeilua. Lopputulos totisesti yllättää.

Fyyralyyran ainokainen löytyy Spotifysta ilman sitä puheraitaa. Miksiköhän näin? Kyllä hyvin jaksaa kuunnella sitä kakkospuolen avaavaa vanhan miehen hauskaa tarinointia huipputaitavasta mutta kovasti viinaanmenevästä kaksirivisen haitarin soittajasta Kallesta, jolla oli tapana sortua niin pitkiin ryyppyputkiin, että haitarit menivät - ja sitten hänet pyydettiin soittamaan häihin Lapualle ja sai lainaksi Joutinnan Eetvin hienon italialaisen Dallapén...