Composer and Vocalist Eeppi Ursin from Finland sparkles on Violet

The shades of jazz, fusion, progressive rock and funk are an ever-debated prism. It's not so much a debate on how they really relate to one another, but what the luminosity of the viewer is. Rather than debating here what belongs where, it may be more valuable to recognize the endless reinventions of these – possibly somewhat artificial – musical genre components. With Eeppi Ursin, who calls herself a singer-songwriter, but deserves the title composer and lyricist on her Violet, this blend is all homegrown, not a preset or retro attitude of Motown sounds, for example. However, there is some recognizability from Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, even Earth Wind & Fire, but the platform which Ursin firmly utilizes to her great advantage, is aesthetically her own, and that is what makes her a great artist.

Violet is a careful studio production, featuring drummer Olli Krogerus, bassist Antti Lötjönen, guitarist Timo Kämäräinen and pianist Aki Rissanen and guest string musicians. These are not names one meets every day, not to mention of their household standing. All these musicians from Finland perform exceptionally, but this is clearly Ursin's show, and here particularly as a composer and lyricist. All lyrics are in English, and the release features a handy supplement for those who dare to sing along on these rather progressive and dodging melodies. Ursin has also recorded traditional Songs from Finland, Moomin music and Christmas Carols, all for Blue Music Group. But she expresses herself the best when in the role of leader and composer, as opposed to sideman. This musician from the Northeastern corner of Europe is – at the risk of using the worn expression – a sensation, and worth far more attention on the European and American music scene. Strongly Recommended.