NIGHTS FLIGHTS SPICE
by Mika Pohjola with Ben Monder, Matt Penman

On Nights Flights Spice, pianist and composer Mika Pohjola presents a rare and compelling studio session alongside guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Roberto Dani—a one-of-a-kind lineup assembled under spontaneous circumstances. Originally intended to include saxophonist Chris Cheek, the session took an unexpected turn when Monder stepped in at the last minute, transforming the project into a unique musical encounter that would never be repeated in this exact formation.

The album showcases a selection of Pohjola's harmonically rich and rhythmically nuanced original compositions—works previously heard on Announcement, Landmark, and Still Alive. While the latter two albums expanded the ensemble to a quintet with electric bassist Fernando Huergo and saxophonist Miguel Zenón, Nights Flights Spice offers a more intimate acoustic setting, highlighting the chemistry of this exceptional quartet.

The title track stands apart with its fusion-tinged energy and appears twice on the album in contrasting interpretations, underlining Pohjola's adventurous range. In contrast, the rest of the program remains grounded in the acoustic jazz idiom, where the musicians find subtle yet dynamic interplay.

A standout is “When Things Will Change,” a grooving piece built over superimposed rubato, anchored by a deceptively simple melody that gradually gives way to fierce, energetic solos from both Pohjola and Monder. Another highlight is “My Mother Turned Fifty,” a heartfelt and witty dedication, featuring serpentine, bebop-inspired lines that balance emotional weight with playful complexity. This particular track, unlike much of Pohjola's earlier catalog, is previously unreleased, making it an especially meaningful addition for longtime fans.

For those familiar with Pohjola's collaborations from the late '90s and early 2000s—particularly with Chris Cheek, Ben Monder, and Miguel Zenón—Nights Flights Spice offers a fascinating new perspective. For new listeners, the album serves as an inviting entry point into Pohjola's compositional world, best explored further through albums like Landmark and Northern Sunrise, the latter also featuring saxophonist Steve Wilson.

Whether approached as a spontaneous artifact or a curated listening experience, Nights Flights Spice captures the spirit of creative immediacy and the artistry of a composer-pianist at once rooted in tradition and unafraid to explore beyond its borders.

http://nights.bluemusicgroup.com