Midnight Sun weaves together Koskinen’s signature sound, a blend of jazz and Latin arrangements, rooted in the sounds of his native Finland. Spanning three decades, Midnight Sun offers listeners the latest musings from this innovative musician.
Excerpt from CD liner notes:
This CD realizes dreams and ideas from a musical journey which took me from Finland, via Boston, to San Francisco. The Finnish songs on this CD grew out of my involvement with the Bay Area Finnish band Kaleva All Stars.
Many tracks feature two wonderful musicians – woodwind player Steve Heckman and Latin percussionist Michael Spiro. Steve was one my first San Francisco musical associates and I still enjoy his passion and unique sound. Michael’s expert and deeply felt contribution lifted up these tracks.
The last four CD tracks are earlier recordings that feature my live bands as well as my trumpet playing and composing from the early 80’s.
Heikki Koskinen / Midnight Sun
2. EARTH SPIRITUAL / THE SAINTS DON’T MIND DANCING: keys & sax
5. MOTHER AFRICA: piano solo
10. FORT FUNSTON BEACH: tenor recorder-vocal fx-keys
11. MERILAULU / SEA SONG: piano solo
12. CRY: piano solo
Tracks 1…12: Heikki Koskinen, piano, keyboards, ten recorder & vocals; Steve Heckman, tenor & soprano sax; Michael Spiro, congas, bongos, timbales, güiro, chékere & bell
Tracks 13 & 14: Heikki, tpt & flugelhorn, Steve Heckman, ten sax; Hadley Caliman, ten sax & flute; Neil Kirkwood, piano; Heshima Williams, bass; Larry Hancock, drums
Tracks 15 & 16: Heikki Koskinen, Flugelhorn; Dave Goldblatt, keyboard, Frank Holder, percussion
Heikki “Mike” Koskinen also available on:
MIDNIGHT SUN / MUSIC VISION 2005
SUNWEBS / LRCD 157, Love Records 1975 / Siboney 2001
LOVE JAZZ 30 VUOTTA – LOVE RECORDS 30 YEARS / LXCD 615/A, / Siboney 1996
TUOHI KLANG / Ufo 1972
CONTEMPORARY FINNISH / SOULSET & EDWARD VESALA / Finnlevy 1969