Featuring Tomi Leino on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, Jaska Prepula on both electric and upright bass plus backing vocals, and Mikko Peltola on drums, this 2016 release is just the elixir a blues fan needs when seeking a collection with an economical, respectful, and rollicking take on the genre.  There is so much talent on display here as to render Leino’s outfit and its musical prowess a diamond-in-the rough, and a revelation to most blues fans.  This trio needs to more broadly known in the U.S.!

Hailing from Scandinavia, the Tomi Leino Trio is said to be one of the most active blues and roots oriented musical aggregations playing throughout Finland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and other blues-rabid areas in Europe, and have also earned the respect of internationally-known blues artists by backing them on tours.  The energy and groove of this time-tested band come through on each cut, and even to a highly seasoned collector such as this reviewer, I find myself returning to this CD over-and-over again.

Takes on classics by Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Frank Frost, Slim Harpo and J.B. Lenoir sit side-by-side with Leino originals, and the entirety of the proceedings are simply a great time front-to-back.  This is not an over-amplified, stiff, and overly-reverential take on the blues.  No, this is akin to that magical time most blues fans have had when they’ve stumbled upon an abundantly talented blues band in some anonymous joint in some anonymous town off the beaten path.  It purely satisfies on all levels.

Surprises such as this CD make collecting blues recordings a continued joy.  This is superb music making on all levels!  Highly-recommended, indeed!