Undercurrents can be unpredictable and violent on occasion. This was certainly the case for Martti Vesala's new Soundpost album: I really intended for the music to sound more Nordic, to give it a sense of calm, longing and space, he recalls. I'm drawing inspiration from more varied sources now. This ambition matches the emotional oscillations of the autobiographical Landmarks, written during a period of personal turmoil. Everyone in the band has grown, starting with Vesala who draws a lot from non-trumpet greats like John Coltrane. The Soundpost Quintet members, meanwhile, are gelling tighter than ever while simultaneously excelling as individual instrumentalists. Landmarks is a rollercoaster ride entirely his own - and easily Martti Vesala's biggest vision so far. Visions beyond Miles: Landmarks is Martti Vesala's Nordic album, a personal statement of great calm, longing and space.
