Get introduced to our specially selected artists for Womex ‘21 in Porto, Portugal!
Get introduced to our specially selected artists for Womex ‘21 in Porto, Portugal!
The new online information channel Funky Finland highlights the artists, who have contributed to the diverse rhythm music field of Finland. Read more »
Funky Finland is curated by Funky Amigos.
afrobeat, retro funk, jazz, soul, world music, fusion
Tuure Tammi and Juha Sarkkola have been creating their funky analog musical mixture and taken it to another level already years ago, only waiting to get all the international recognition they deserve! Ranging from a dj and production duo to a retro-styled 9-piece afrobeat-funk-jazz-soul orchestra, The Blassics‘ speciality is their subtle delivery of multilayered, earthy and uplifting music drawing inspiration from a range of African rhythms and African-American styles of the 60s and 70s, with the authentic spice from the Northern atmosphere added to the mix.
After being active for over a decade already, The Blassics are known from their bubbling and boiling live performances as well as crispy analog recordings of Odd Funk Records, their own studio and independent record label. In 2022, The Blassics’ fifth studio album will be released by Detroit-based Funk Night Records. The label has published singles from them prior to this as well. -JK
funk, afrobeat, jazz, world music, progressive rock, fusion
Step into the magical rhythm labyrinth of Mama Longhorn and get lost in its multi-coloured, meandering passages. You won’t find your way out, and you don’t even want to.
For ten years, Mama Longhorn from Pori has delighted their listeners with versatile, energetic rhythm music. Their funk and afrobeat based sound is typically tinted by catchy melodies, free form playing and psychedelic hues. A breeze of Finnish air is brought by some melancholic melodies, the Northern mysticism of Eeva Poijärvi‘s voice and other subtle local characteristics.
On their third album Let It Run, released in 2021, Mama Longhorn takes steps towards more imaginative expression. The elements of experimental and slightly even pop music carry the strong character of Mama Longhorn sound to even more original and enchanting direction. Let It Run has gathered excellent reviews, and Radio Helsinki chose it as their album of the week.
dub, reggae, ska, jazz, fusion
Far from your typical reggae dub band, the echoes and the effects are only the last perfect touch to the versatile musical richness of Dub Vallila. Already their first single “Jean Dub” in 2015 gained them a strong underground status in Finland as it was a prime example of their originality while paying tribute to the late Finnish national hero, composer Jean Sibelius. And as they are finally ready to drop their debut album, it’s only fair that the world will learn about them!
The band is led by the versatile trombone player and composer Jussi Vuorinen, also a permanent musician in The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and a big fan of Jamaican musician Don Drummond. He’s accompanied with a wide range of talented musicians with various background plus on the recorded material with the best roots dub production in Finland by the reputed Mikko “Micho Dread” Rossi (Studiored). All that adds up to a very special mix guaranteed to inspire minds and souls worldwide. -JK
