Antero Mentu - 2024 - N​ä​in Unta Kaukaisesta Maasta

(38:46; Eclipse Music)

This is the first time I have come across Finnish musician Antero Mentu, although apparently he has released other albums prior to this, which in English is called ‘I Dreamed of a Distant Land’. It is instrumental, with the six songs all called “Unia” (“Dream”) with a number appended to each, which makes one think this is designed to be listened to as a complete piece of music, almost orchestral in its manner, as opposed to being dipped in and out of. Antero provides guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion and is joined by Otto Eskelinen (flute, keyboards, percussion), Amanda Blomqvist (drums, percussion), Jesper Anastasiadis (bass) and Markus Pajakkala (flute) and the result is something which brings together folk music, world music and jazz, in a manner which is pleasant although often feels like it lacks direction and purpose as somehow it can be inventive while also feeling somewhat repetitive and New Age.

It certainly does not sound as if it has come out of Finland in the 2020’s, as if someone had told me this had come from the Peruvian prog scene of the late Sixties I would not have been surprised as there are some surprising similarities, especially when the flute takes on the lead. In some ways this is quite a fragmented release in that there can be a great deal going on but not much happening to engage the listener, which I found quite frustrating as there is no doubt that there are some very skilled players involved, but I could not find enough to really maintain my interest with the repetition becoming just way too much at times. Available through Bandcamp this really is one which people who enjoy the genres mentioned should play prior to purchase. 

Kev Rowland, July 2025

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557444204303
http://www.eclipsemusic.fi/