There is something here

The slender one is a firm believer in biding one’s time when it comes to listening to music. As an old-fashioned purist, never mind simply suffering the weight of the years, the concept of not being able to physically lay hands on a recording is alien. Sure, streaming, iTunes, downloading onto the device of your choice is the preference of the majority. But nothing beats knowing that you have the hard copy. Technology does crash. Recently Are Jaama’s CD, aptly titled Aare, or treasure, reached these hands. And ears. Self-released, it is as far as the slimster knows his second solo recording. The first being 2011’s EADGBE. (Interesting chord progression, that. Make ‘em flat, even cooler…) Known as a talented sideman, Jaama is among Estonia’s elite on guitars, and on this album, on one cut, a mean ukulele as well. The recording at times defies categorization. All instrumental, no singing, although voice effects, using the vocal chords as instruments without words add to the arrangements. There is a distinct Esto-Latin-funk flavour throughout, perhaps nowhere more than on “Midagi siin on”, stolen by the slimster in translation as the best definition of Jaama’s creations. Another standout is “Karujaht” (bear hunt), featuring Tõnu Raadik’s exquisite violin work. Jaama and Raadik have collaborated before numerous times. The 1992 Läbi saju (Through the rain) and 1993 Läbi tule (Through the flam) along with vocalist Sulev Luik are a good example. These recordings saw the multitalented instrumentalists (Jaama is no slouch on drums and bass, Raadik is a talented ivory tickler as well) dedicate their efforts to interpreting Raimond Valgre’s works.