Not only is flugelhornist / trumpeter Jukka Eskola an integral part of The Five Corners Quintet but he’s also worked with other top Finnish artists such as NuSpirit Helsinki, Teddy Rok Seven, Quintessence and Jimi Tenor. On this his self titled debut solo outing he’s accompanied by Jukkis Uotila on electric piano, along with fellow TFCQ contributors Antti Lotjonen, Teppo Makynen (Teddy Rok) and Timo Lassey on bass, drums and saxophone / flute respectively. He impressed earlier this year with the 12″ for Ricky-Tick, which featured the jazz dancers ‘1974’ and ‘Buttercup’. Both tracks are included here and on first listen are the standouts. However spend a little time with this disc and you’ll discover the delights of the Freddie Hubbard influenced ‘Kulo’, as well as ‘Duudamdej’ and ‘Timber Up’, two funky fusion pieces. The later features some awesome drum breaks and keys reminiscent of those on Roy Ayers’s ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’.
