We’re always excited here at Nostalgia King when projects and releases come across our desk that are new on our radar but absolutely piques our curiosity and has our ears open to start the day. Well today is that day and something new has indeed come across our desk and coincidently from Finland where I’ll actually be heading back to this Friday! Something new from Borderline-jazz group Halme Prospekt who bring a warm light of hope into their psychedelically twisted music through collaboration with Togolese singer Queen Djenny Djella. There is an incredibly deep history and connection between the two and you can really feel that depth as soon as you drop the needle down and the track begins.
The renowned Finnish trailblazers, Halme Prospekt, have been led by Heikki ”Hepa” Halme for more than 20 years, with six praised albums under their belt. You could describe their music progressive borderline jazz, but above all they have open-mindedly fused together a wide range of of soulful rhythm music, from blues and acid jazz to hip hop. This comes as no surprise, considering Halme himself has been a national pioneer for more than 50 years, actively leaving his mark to entire genres within the Finnish music scene – from punk music to roots rock and funky hip hop.
Following their earlier atmospheric and free-spirited albums, praised in Finland over the years, Halme Prospekt’s new collaboration project Music Is My Truth takes their musical adventures reach entirely new latitudes. By presenting Ghana-based singer Queen Djenny Djella, the unexpected fusion brings a completely new sense of tenderness and soul to their approach. The band’s highly improvised style still follows the familiar paths with renowned Finnish musicians Arttu Tolonen (keys), Alf Forsman (drums), Esa Onttonen (guitar), Tapani Varis (bass & flute) and Eero Savela (trumpet), who replaced the late Matti Riikonen in 2021. Yet it is the unique combination of all these elements fused together that truly makes the project stand out.