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My fascination with Finland has now reached such a stage that I’ve had to go and take my fitful world tour there next month.  In Tampere, Helsinki, Turku, Saimaa, Aland and Lapland, preparations have already begun, with locals building brick barricades to protect themselves from a rising tide of unnecessary alliteration and faintly ridiculous water-related metaphors. I need to try to find out just what it is that is about the country that is giving it such a strong esoteric musical tradition.  Is it the weather?  The scenery, with its forests and lakes?  Or is it – my guess, after a shot or two of it at a recent Fonal gig - the Salmiakkikossu?  Already this year I’ve been unduly excited by albums by Islaja, Kemialliset Ystavat, and Pan Sonic.  My internal adding device tells me that this must therefore be the fourth.

It was out a wee while ago, and stocks are probably lower than North Sea cod by now.  However if you can see a copy then buy on sight.  This record hangs in the air like heat haze, and it just won’t shift;  one seamless shimmer, with Rhodes keyboard burbling amongst percussive shuffle and twinkle.   Tower takes the rhythmic-yet-languid feel of “Shh/Peaceful” from Miles’ In A Silent Way, and of Can’s “Future Days”, and stretches it in the air until it cracks and chunks of light break through the holes.  They are unfeasibly prolific, and will no doubt have another record along any minute, but do not let this imply dispensability.

Listen to “Gättö” here.