Joona Toivanen Trio makes their We Jazz Records debut with their new album 'Both Only'. A landmark work for the long standing group, the album showcases a new sound for the band, trekking deep into new ideas for an acoustic jazz piano trio. Since their formation as teenagers in mid-1990's, the trio of pianist Joona Toivanen, bassist Tapani Toivanen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori (of Superposition, Ilmiliekki Quartet and Linda Fredriksson 'Juniper') has developed their remarkably coherent band sound step by step, touring the world over. Nowadays, the trio is geographically split between Gothenburg, Sweden (Joona), Copenhagen, Denmark (Tapani), and Helsinki, Finland (Olavi), but the unit has never sounded so together as one, and as adventurous as on 'Both Only'.'Both Only' by Joona Toivanen Trio is a cocoon, a welcoming shelter of sound that opens up naturally for the listener to inhabit. The album is moody and introspective, even dark at times, but by the time you get to the closing track, 'This and This', you'll likely notice something hopeful brewing up. This is not music dealing with nostalgia or a world lost. Instead, it's a body of work with delicate dynamics, taking a minute just to listen and to look inwards to learn something, to move forward.The first single 'Enlightened' is perhaps the most traditional piece on the album, yet it flows like a vessel beyond genre, conveying a mood, a feeling and an idea. Listen to how the piano, bass and drums discuss, how the groove moves with the instruments having their clear roles but also supporting each other and documenting a musical aging process exactly as that of a quality bottle of red wine. As a song like 'Direction' proves, the melody is there all the way, yet there is nothing obvious about how it's carried by the trio. Things remain surprising, fresh and moving at all times. 'Except For' keeps it's intensity, while nearly erupting into a full on 4-to-the-floor banger. Nearly! The key here is how the energy sustains itself, building the intensity within the music.'Both Only' is a powerful statement from a band ready to renew itself time and again, and one willing to do it slowly, outside of the hype. This process makes the impact enduring, nuanced and lovely.
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
The Subways When I'm With You [2xLP]
Cooking Vinyl
October 17, 2025 -
Olafur Arnalds/Talos A Dawning
Mercury Kx
July 18, 2025 -
Sally Anne Morgan Second Circle The Horizon
Thrill Jockey Records
June 20, 2025 -
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell We Insist 2025!
Candid
June 13, 2025 -
King Parrot A Young Person's Guide To
Housecore Records
June 6, 2025 -
Putridity MOrbid Ataraxia Random Eco-Mi
Willowtip
June 27, 2025 -
Raphael Wressnig Committed
Zyx Music
June 6, 2025 -
McKinley Dixon Magic, Alive! (Neon Orange)
City Slang
June 6, 2025 -
Stateside Where You Found Me
Pure Noise Records
June 27, 2025 -
PESO PLUMA ÉXODO [2xLP]
Peso Physical
June 20, 2025 -
Pulp More
Rough Trade
June 6, 2025 -
Rival Consoles Landscape from Memory [2xLP]
Erased Tapes
July 4, 2025 -
Stars of the Lid Music for Nitrous Oxide (30 Year Anniversary; Remastered) [2xLP]
Diggers Factory
July 25, 2025 -
Adrian Quesada Boleros Psicodelicos II (Yellow)
Ato Records
June 27, 2025