Kaamos - Kadotetut

KAAMOS

Deeds and Talks (1977)

FinnArctic-esittely:

"Kaamos was formed in Turku sometime in 1973 by Peter Strohlman (guitar), Eero Munter (bass), Eero Valkonen (drums), Ilkka Poijärvi (organ) and an American vocalist named Jimmy Lewman. In autumn 1974 Valkonen, Poijärvi and Lewman quit and were replaced by former Yellow members Ilpo Murtojärvi (guitar) and singing drummer Johnny Gustafsson. Strohlman started his obligatory army service in summer 1975 and arranged 15-year-old keyboardist Kyösti Laihi to be his replacement. No original members were left when Munter headed off to the town of Pori to continue with his musical studies and play in the local municipal orchestra. He was replaced by Gustafsson's former bandmate from The Islanders, Jarkko "Jakke" Leivo.

Most of the band's material was written by Murtojärvi, with lyrics by outside man Göran "Jocke" Sumelius. In the autumn of 1976 Kaamos surprised the people in their hometown by opening for Welsh band Man when they toured in Finland. They also played on Turku prog band Combination's only LP "Relax" (1977) - four songs on that album were arranged by Kaamos, two of them were sung by Gustafsson.

Kaamos signed to small label M & T Productions, started by light pop singers Matti and Teppo Ruohonen (!) Their only album "Deeds and Talks" was released in November 1977. The material on this varied album ranges from baroque tones to acoustic balladeering and light funk. With complex and colourful songs and skillful performances, "Deeds and Talks" was one of the best debuts by a Finnish band so far. Only Sumelius' lyrics somewhat ruin the record, the English is rather clumsy and the lyrics printed on the inner sleeve have lots of typos. Makes you ask yourself if Kaamos really had to sing in English...

Despite performing in Ruisrock in 1978, Kaamos didn't get as many gigs as needed for a band to stay afloat. Leivo had to quit because of poor health, and he was replaced by Bert "Patti" Karlsson. Financial necessities forced Murtojärvi and Karlsson to play music in theaters, and Murtojärvi also worked as a guitar teacher. Gustafsson also got a job as a teacher, and worked as engineer in a studio.

Kaamos hired a new keyboardist, Jouko Kantola, and a bassist, Pasi Lyysaari, before the inevitable dissolving of the band in August 1980. Murtojärvi and Lyysaari ended up in Pasi & Mysiini. Gustafsson found fame in the 80's in boy band Bogart Co., who won the hearts of many teenage girls with their wild hairdos, outrageous clothes and easy-to-hum modern dance pop."

KADOTETUT

 


Kadotetut (1984)

Liian suuri suu (1985)

Zapa! (1987)

Kadotettujen ensimmäinen single Anna sydämesi on hieman kömpelösti esitettyä punkpoppia ylipitkillä biiseillä, mutta yritteliäisyys ja kunnianhimo korvasivat soiton epätarkkuudet ja laulun puutteet. Ensi-LP on omintakeinen sekoitus post-punkkia ja jazzia. Tyyli pehmeni vähitellen, Zapa! on aika kevyt popahtava levy. Olihan bändin musiikissa minulla alkuun sulattelemista, mutta useampi kuuntelukerta vain ja pääsin sisälle meininkiin.

Jossain kohtaa on silti pakko olla jotain valittamista, ja ensimmäisen LP:n kohdalta se löytyykin: viulisti-pianisti Sanna Salmenkalliota oli ihan turha päästää vielä laulamaankin. Hänellä ei ollut sillä saralla mitään mielekästä tekemistä, vaan sinänsä hienonkuuloinen ääni jää turhaksi elementiksi.