Down the road less travelled. Maverick, serene, Finnish saxophonist Pauli Lyttenen uses field recordings as part of the spell. Allied with the open ended free-ish sax roamings Lyttenen takes us on something of a tramp to make us feel as if we have entered a natural world. Swapping between alto, tenor and soprano layering in effects and natural summer sounds along the way an optimism laden bucolic retreat is conjured. That canvas spans groves - the 'Lehto' from the Finnish language in the titling - and forest, the 'Korpi'. But these latter sections are less interesting. Comparisons with Evan Parker are way off the mark because the whole effect is far less adventurous and out there than the great English sax icon's reliably scorched earth policy. It also isn't as microscopically detailed or electro-acoustic heavy as it could be or as incrementally intense as the signature Parker method. Comprised of 5 Lehto pieces and 4 Korpi numbers the vocabulary is fairly limited in terms of the key ingredients. Yet Lyytinen's concept hangs together well relying on mystical tonalities and expressive yearning. Look for the full album at the end of August. The second of the 'Lehto' pieces is streaming.
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