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November 05, 2002
Kimmo Pohjonen
I have just been to see Kimmo Pohjonen play at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. It was quite simply stunning - the first half (Kluster) was simply Kimmo on accordion and vocals, and Samuli Kosminen on a sampler, adding creaks, rhythm, blips and burps, bass and melody, using just samples of Kimmo's accordion and amazing pixie/demonic voice. The accordion proves to be a generator of square, triangle and sine waves to beat most electronics, creating an orchestra of acid house bass, mid and treble. It moved smoothly from riotness cacophony to the smallest sounds and noises, whilst creating a steady beat. Then Kimmo did his best whirling dervish impression, complete with accordion fully extended.
The second half (kalmuk) featured a 16 strong sinfonietta, again effortlessly moving from noise and power to James-Brown-tight, funky movements. The music is circular and rhythmic, a lot like Koyaanisquatsi, relentless, pounding then quiet, but always building. Moods effortlessly shift from the unnerving and tense to happy and joyful. It's quite impossible to describe, and I think even the CDs won't do it justice - there is a DVD coming out, hopefully in the full surround sound used.
It really is an amazing performance, with mood swings, emotion, and some incredibly strange music. It's worth catching if he ever performs in your neck of the woods. He quite rightly got a standing ovation, as it is one of the most powerful performances I've seen. It's like the best bits of a techno all-nighter condensed into an hour of music.
A few samples (both from the Kluster CD):
http://www.undergroundlondon.com/loska.mp3
http://www.undergroundlondon.com/voima.mp3
His website:
http://www.kimmopohjonen.com
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