ANNOUNCEMENT - REMASTERED EXPANDED EDITION
by Mika Pohjola with Chris Cheek

Announcement was originally recorded in Helsinki, Finland and released in 1998 by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, presenting a program of original compositions by Pohjola for jazz quartet.

The music combines contemporary jazz with influences from Scandinavian folk music, East Asian musical traditions, and the musical environment of New York City. The compositions integrate written ensemble passages with improvisation, featuring unison melodies, changing rhythmic structures, and extended solo sections.

Throughout the album, lyrical themes are contrasted with more rhythmically driven passages, while the quartet emphasizes interaction between composition and improvisation. The recording documents an early stage in Mika Pohjola's development as both a composer and pianist and reflects musical ideas that continued to develop in later recordings.

http://announcement.bluemusicgroup.com