Artist description Bassist of Värttinä released his first solo album of duets. Guest stars: Wimme Saari-voice, Sanna Kurki-Suonio-voice, Timo Alakotila (JPP,Aldargaz,Troka) -harmonium, Arto Järvelä (JPP, Aldargaz, Pinnin Pojat) -violin, Jarmo Saari (XL) - guitar, Riitta Kossi (Helsinki melodeon ladies, ex-Värttinä) - accordion.This is a very subdued and natural sounding album that highlights Pekka's versatility, the individual and collective talents of Pekka and his guests in duet settings, as well as creating an intimate and unpretentious ambience. Impressive debut from one of Finlands's most talented musicians.

Music Style Acoustic Nordic folkfusion

Musical Influences Karelian folksingers, Bulgarian voices, Astor Piazzola,european jazz and european jazz

Similar Artists Wimme, Arild Andersen, Piazzola, Charlie Haden,Bill Frisell,Anders Jormin,

Artist History Living on the fortress island of Suomenlinna three kilometres off the coast of Helsinki yields a fascinating vantage point over the life and happenings in the capital of Finland — and the whole nation. Not too surprisingly, this perspective is something artists find especially appealing. One of the musicians sharing the experience with the 900 people living on this historically significant island is Pekka Lehti. Although nowadays involved in varied projects, Pekka Lehti (b. 1965 in Joensuu, Karelia) first entered the world of music by beginning to play the bass in a punk rock band. Twenty years later the man would pay tribute to that group, 'Outo Voima' ('Strange Force'), by naming his own debut album after it. But between these two cornerstones of his career, Lehti's solemn double bass has been heard in numerous situations both locally and globally. Kicking off his professional career at the age of 17, the brave bassman has plunged into a dizzying array of settings from backing up singer/songwriters to sweating the night away with jazz combos to producing a concert based on the music of Nino Rota and beyond.In 1992 the bass player co-founded ZetaBoo, a critically acclaimed ethno jazz group which tastefully fuses the ancient with the modern. The foursome's eponymous debut disc came out in 1997, the sophomore effort 'MediZine' is released in 2000. Many exciting projects aside, Pekka's most widely recognized working environment has been, since 1992, the modernist folklore ensemble Värttinä. As an arranger, co-leader and composer Lehti is a valuable team player in the ranks of this vanguardian world music collective which has performed live all over Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America. The bassist can be heard on 'Aitara' (1994), 'Kokko' (1996), 'Vihma' (1998) and 'Ilmatar' (2000). Pekka Lehti steps to the fore with 'Outo Voima'. This disc presents a collection of duets with vocalists and instrumentalists with whom Pekka has crossed paths during his long and winding career in music. With the goal of capturing the strong Nordic inspiration at its purest, most of the album was recorded "on location" — either in Lehti's living room or the collaborators' homes. Therefore 'Outo Voima' seems possessed by an irresistible timeless magic. These meditative tunes are not only the first statement of a mature solo artist, but also a poignant cry out for peace and quiet: Impressions from the outside looking in. The Suomenlinna spirit.

Group Members Pekka Lehti -bass,Wimme Saari-voice, Sanna Kurki-Suonio-voice, Timo Alakotila (JPP,Aldargaz,Troka) -harmonium, Arto Järvelä (JPP, Aldargaz, Pinnin Pojat) -violin, Jarmo Saari (XL) - guitar, Riitta Kossi (Helsinki melodeon ladies, ex-Värttinä) - accordion.

Instruments Bass,vocals,yoik,guitar,harmonium,accordion,violin

Albums Outo Voima ('Strange Force')

Press Reviews TWO'S COMPANYDedicated to the memory of his father, 'Outo voima' ( 'Strange Force') is Pekka Lehti's poignant cry for peace and quiet amidst a hectic urban existence.The 35-year-old Lehti, who is recognized globally as the bassist for modernist ethno team Värttinä, has made a subdued and almost all-acoustic his solo debut.'Outo Voima' is comprised of duets with some of inspiring musicians Lehti has crossed paths with. This austere collection shies away from all kinds of percussion and finds its highlights in traditional Lapp "yoik" chants of Wimme Saari, vocalizations of Sanna Kurki-Suonio and guitar stylings of supreme six-stringer Jarmo Saari. The latter contributes some dazzling Frisellian soundscapes to 'Sarastus/Dawn' then goes all earthy on 'Päivölä/Land of the Sun'. Worthy of separate mention is 'Vainajalan Tango/Tango of the Vainajala', where Timo Alakotila's harmonium delivers some of the fumes of Hades hinted at in the title of the track. Lehti's apprenticeship under the tutelage of Swedish bass guru Anders Jormin shines through on 'Outo Voima' more so than on his work in the ranks of Värttinä, ZetaBoo or the JP's.Petri Silas

Location Helsinki, FIN - Finland

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