VA - 12 tähteä

VARIOUS ARTISTS

12 tähteä

Satsanga SATLP 1032
1977
Compilation LP






12 tähteä (12 stars) is one of the countless compilations Satsanga and other labels released during the 1960s and 1970s. Usually these compilations were about songs only released as singles or other compilations. The best track on this one, Anita Hirvonen's "Älä tule myöhään" (don't come home too late) is released on this compilation only. Although the voice of Anita Hirvonen have always given me a little creeps, On the other hand, I still can't pretend I don't like this funky disco track, it's really cool. The catchy chorus was even sampled to a Finnish rap song years ago. Another slightly decent track is Anita Virta's "Ja silti rakastan" (and I still love). Rest of the tracks are humppas, schlagers and other non interesting stuff.


Anita Hirvonen - Älä tule myöhään

Inga Sulin - Rakkaustaika

INGA SULIN

Rakkaustaika / On yö, tehkää tilaa

Decca SD 5811
1974
7"






Inga Sulin started her singing career in the mid 1960s when she attended the auditions of the Pohjoismainen Sähkö Oy (PSO). She succeeded pretty well and her first single was released in 1965. And then almost ten years later this single was released. "Rakkaustaika" (lovespell) on side a is a really beautiful ballad with a quite melancholic beats. "On yö, tehkää tilaa" (it's night, make some space) on side b is more uptempo song with some flutes and jazzy beats. Both songs are written by Johan Simelius, arranged by Nacke Johansson and backed by Nacke Johansson's orchestra.


Rakkaustaika


On yö, tehkää tilaa

Charles Williams - Funky music

CHARLES WILLIAMS

Just as long / Funky music

Decca SD 5842
1976
7"






I consider this one to be Finnish music although Charles Williams was an American soul singer who lived in Finland only few years in the 1970s. It was only released in Finland and Williams was living in Finland at that moment, that's enough for me. So what we have here then? This 45 is a nice northern soul double sider with two great funky uptempo dancefloor fillers. "Just as long" on the a side and "Funky music" on the b side. It is maybe not as popular and in demand as his first single, "Standing in the way" but it's still a good one. And quite hard to find too.


Just as long


Funky music

Lea Laven - Sano suoraan

LEA LAVEN

Soley soley / Sano suoraan

Columbia 5E 006-34515
1972
7"






Another groover from Lea Laven with two good ones. On side a there's "Soley soley", a cover of "Soleil Soleil" as written by Fernando Arbex and first recorded by Middle of the road in 1971. The better one can be found on side b. "Sano suoraan" is Lea Laven's own composition with arrangements by Kaj Backlund. It's a funky uptempo beat track that suits for the dancefloors anytime and in my opinion it's one of the best Laven ever did.

Jukka Kuoppamäki - Sä kanssain leikit vaan

JUKKA KUOPPAMÄKI

Rakkaus on sininen / Sä kanssain leikit vaan

Blue master BLU 677
1968
7"






I have never been too big fan of Jukka Kuoppamäki's voice, but I have to bring this 45 up anyways. While the side a song "Rakkaus on sininen" is a pretty basic but quite powerful schlager ballad, the better one is on side b. "Sä kanssain leikit vaan" is a cover of the big Supremes hit "You keep me hanging on" originally written by the legendary songwriting and producing team Holland–Dozier–Holland. It's a very nice uptempo soul song although the vibrating vocals of Jukka Kuoppamäki disturb me a little.

Gitte - Tämä maa

GITTE

Tämä maa / Stormy weather

His Master's Voice 45-TJ 228
1961
7"






I have no idea why Danish singer Gitte Hænning-Johansson recorded a song in Finnish. She don't pronounce Finnish too well and the dialect sounds actually quite funny. The song itself however is quite nice early 1960s jazz-schlager. And we do talk about the side a song "Tämä maa" (this land) here. It's a cover of "La terre" by Jo Moutet and it's backed by Jørn Grauengårds Orkester. Side b song "Stormy weather" is quite ok song too. A curiosity 45 I must say.


Tämä maa

Sirkka Keiski - Ei vieläkään

SIRKKA KEISKI & SOULSET

Mä heräsin / Ei vieläkään

Sonet T6523
1969
7"






Sirkka Keiski started her singing career in the early 1960s as a vocalist of a local dance ensemble. She released only three 45s in the 1960s. In 1969 she recorded her last 45 with the legendary Finnish soul/funk group Soulset. After this 45 she quit her musical career and started her studies. Later she graduated as an interior designer and doctor of arts. Both of the songs in this 45 are covers of the legendary female soul group The Supremes. Side a song "Mä heräsin" is a cover of the "The happening", a Billboard #1 hit from the 1967 that was also a theme song of the movie The happening. Side b song "Ei vieläkään" is a cover of the propably most well known Supremes hit "Baby love" that was also a Billboard #1 hit in 1964.


Mä heräsin


Ei vieläkään

Matthews - Tulivuori

MATTHEWS

Se oli hän / Tulivuori

Sonet T6586
1974
7"






Matthews was a short lived band from Tampere, that released one single in 1969 and after some line-up changes two more in 1974. From the ruins of the Finnish rock band Alwari Tuohitorvi rose this new line-up where several well known Finnish musicians were involved. Musicians included Seppo Tammilehto (drums), Hannu Latva-Hakuni (keyboards), Olli Juhani Kivistö (bass), Rale Koivisto (vocals) and Matti Järvinen (guitar). After the breakup of Matthews Latva-Hakuni, Kivistö and Tammilehto went to form another funky rock group Kummitus.

This third and at the same time their last single was the most funkiest of them all. While they started their career playing Cream-styled rock, "Tulivuori" (a volcano) have clearly some strong elements of funk. It's a nice vocal funk rock number with a drum-guitar break at the start. A side song "Se oli hän" is a regular pop'ish rock number.

Taru Hallama - Taru Hallama

TARU HALLAMA

Taru Hallama

Just KPLP 106
1982
LP






This self titled album of singer Taru Hallama was released in 1982. It's about half and half covers and original compositions. Covers include quite wide variety of different artists and styles. "Sovinnon aika" is a cover of Beatles' "We can work it out", "Auta minut aamuun" is a cover of Donna Summer's "I believe in Jesus", "Kasvamaan" is a cover of Eric Clapton's "Let it grow" and "Huuda mua" is a cover of "I'll be right there (call on him)" by Sherlie Matthews. The best track however is "Näen vapauden", a cover of Syreeta's "To know you is to love you" written by Syreeta Wright and Stevie Wonder. It's a nice modern soul track with some slightly disturbing electric guitars at the end..

Pasi & Pekka - Etkö nää, muuttunut mä oon

PASI & PEKKA

Taakse katsonut en / Etkö nää, muuttunut mä oon

Parlophone 5E 006-34420
1971
7"






Pasi & Pekka was a duo consisting of brothers Pasi Saarnikko and Pekka Saarnikko. They released several singles and one album before moving along to other businesses. This single from 1971 has two nice cover songs. On side a is "Taakse katsonut en" which is a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Looking out my back door" from their Cosmo's factory album. Side b uptempo beat number "Etkö nää, muuttunut mä oon" is a cover of "There's been a change in me" written by Derek and Ray Shulman. It's arranged by Lars Samuelsson and backed by his orchestra.


Etkö nää, muuttunut mä oon

Irwin Goodman - Cha cha cha

IRWIN GOODMAN

Cha cha cha / Tää elämä on lyhyt

Finnlevy FS 38
1977
7"






Irwin Goodman was a Finnish singer-songwriter who became famous due his arrogant protest songs. Most of the over 300 songs he recorded were his own compositions and the style of the songs varied from folk to rock. However, in this single from 1977 Irwin showed also his latin influenced side. "Cha cha cha" is a groovy latin song with a percussion driven break in the middle and catchy vocals. "Tää elämä on lyhyt" on side b is a typical late 1970s Irwin track.


Cha cha cha

Reima Helminen - Hyvät Vuodet

REIMA HELMINEN

Hymyilevä tyttö / Hyvät vuodet

Finlandia P 413
1970
7"






"It was a very good year" was a song composed by Ervin Drake in 1961 and was originally recorded by The Kingston trio. It was later made famous by Frank Sinatra. Sinatra's version even won the Grammy Award for the best male vocal performance in 1966. Reima Helminen's "Hyvät vuodet" is a cover of that song. It's a mellow percussion driven ballad that you can listen over and over again. A side track "Hymyilevä tyttö" is a basic schlager ballad.


Hyvät vuodet

Reijo Tani - Yli-ihminen

REIJO TANI

Kanarian Kalle / Yli-ihminen

Mellow-Musiikki S-117-10
1975
7"






Vocalist and drummer Reijo "Rempo" Tani was a long time musical partner of the late Juha "Watt" Vainio, one of the most productive lyricists in Finnish musical history. Tani did mostly humor and parody songs and so is the case in this single too. Vainio wrote most of the songs Tani recorded, but in this single only the side b song. "Yli-ihminen" ("Übermensch" or "Superhuman" as it's in English) despite it's Nietsche'ish name is a song about the dj - who is the übermensch of the clubs. Lyrics are kind of naiive and tacky but the song itself is one of the few really funky songs from the 1970s Finland. A side song "Kanarian Kalle" is a humor song that should be avoided at any cost.


Yli-ihminen

Muska - Kirjoita postikorttiin

MUSKA

Kirjoita postikorttiin / On meillä bailut

Scandia KS 846
1971
7"






As a sister of the Babitzins - Kirka, Sammy, Ykä and Anna, it was obvious that also Marija "Muska" Babitzin started a career in music business. Her first single "Kirjoita postikorttiin" was released in 1971. It's an uptempo fuzz guitar driven rock song with some percussion work and it's a cover of "Send me a postcard" by the Dutch group Shocking blue. Side b song, a latin influenced pop track "On meillä bailut" is a cover of "Te quiero ver bailar" written by Francis Smith. The backing band in this single is the always great Made in Finland.


Kirjoita postikorttiin


On meillä bailut

Haikara - Pilven poika

HAIKARA

Poika pilvellä / Jumbo

Hi-Hat HIS 1011
1976
7"






Haikara was a Finnish prog band from the city of Lahti that was founded by Vesa Lattunen and Markus Heikkerö in 1972. Soon after that Timo Vuorinen, Harri Pystynen and Vesa Lehtinen joined the band. Their first album was released later in 1972 and they released two more albums during the 1970s with a constantly changing line-up. After the third album in 1975 the band was disbanded but Lattunen reformed it again the next year. The new line-up was Eljas Holm, Jorma Nikulainen and Hannu Rontu along Lattunen. They were consentrating on more funky music than on the previous releases, but sadly they released only this one single in 1976. The name of the side a track is slightly confusing. On the cover it's "Poika pilvellä" ("A boy on a cloud" in English), but the labels says "Pilven poika" ("The boy of the cloud" in English). Anyways it's a nice midtempo track with opening drums that remind me distantly of Banbarra's "Shack up". The side b song "Jumbo" is a laid back funk song that starts with a break. This single is hard to find but "Poika pilvellä" was also released on Hi-Hat's Hat rock 1 compilation that's quite common.


Poika pilvellä


Jumbo

Jarmo Juhani - Mies joka tiesi liikaa

JARMO JUHANI

Hän on erilainen / Mies joka tiesi liikaa

Polydor 2055 003
1970
7"






Little is known of Jarmo Juhani although he has released a bunch of singles and albums in the 1970s and 1980s. This single is from 1970 and contains a cover of Tom Jones' "The man who knows too much". It's backed by Antti Hyvärinen's orchestra and it is a very groovy, orchestral vocal number. The a-side song "Hän on erilainen" is a cover of Herbert Pagani's "L'amicizia", a quite non-interesting pop ballad.


Mies joka tiesi liikaa

Lea Laven - Sinustakin apua ois

LEA LAVEN

On miten on / Sinustakin apua ois

Columbia 5E 006-34643
1972
7"






This single release from 1972 is backed by Made in Finland. It was a studio band consisting of Risto Oinaala (trumpet and flugelhorn), Pertti Fält (saxophone and flute), Seppo Alajoki (guitar), Veikko Samuli (organ), Matti Tyni (bass) and Paavo Rajala (percussion), that never had any own releases. Officially Made in Finland was Danny's backing band at the time, but they also backed other acts as well. Both songs on this one are covers of Shocking Blue originals. A-side track "On miten on" is a cover of "Shocking you" and "Sinustakin apua ois" is a cover of "California here I come". The latter one is clearly the better one, a little lazy but funky pop rock number.


Sinustakin apua ois

Sammy Babitzin - Kuin tuhka tuuleen

SAMMY BABITZIN

Kuin tuhka tuuleen / Paina puuta

Columbia SE 006-34592
1972
7"






Aleksandr "Sammy" Babitzin was the older brother of singers Kirka, Muska, Ykä and Anna Babitzin. He was considered to be even more talented than his more succesful brother Kirka, but a car accident on a way to a gig ended his life too soon. He was 25 when he died in 1973. During his life, he released several singles. He started his career in 1966 and released few singles under a pseudonym Sammy-boy, but they received very little attention. In 1972 he gained an overwhelming victory in the national Syksyn Sävel -competition with a song "Daa-da daa-da". This single, "Kuin tuhka tuuleen" / "Paina puuta" was released in 1972. "Kuin tuhka tuuleen" is a cover of "Don't pull your love", a billboard hit from 1971 performed by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. It's a very powerful grooving mid-tempo song with a really cathy hook. The b-side song "Paina puuta" is a groovy cover of a Gerry Monroe ballad "It's raining roses" written by Les Reed. Both songs are backed by Nacke Johansson's orchestra and Finnish lyrics are by Chrisse Johansson.


Kuin tuhka tuuleen


Paina puuta

Cascade - Pigallelle jonoon vaan

CASCADE

Pigallelle jonoon vaan / Angie baby

Scandia KS 933
1975
7"






Cascade was a Finnish pop/soul group that was active in 1974-1977. It was founded by the members Ami Aspelund, Aimo Jaara, Marjo-Riitta Kervinen and Kari Kuusamo. They released four singles and one album before they disbanded due the other projects of the members. Their second single "Pigallelle jonoon vaan / Angie baby" was released in 1975. "Pigallelle jonoon vaan" (roughly translated "To the line for Pigalle") is a nice cover of Labelle hit "Lady marmalade" that was originally released in 1974 and spawned numerous covers all over the world. The b-side song "Angie baby" is a cover of the Helen Reddy song with the same name. It was originally released in 1974 aswell and it reached the Billboard top 100 number one position in December 1974. While "Pigallelle jonoon vaan" is a grooving party number, "Angie baby" follows the original pretty well being a slow and a little bit weird but at the same time very beautiful song. This 45 isn't too commonly seen but both songs were released on Scandia's Huipulla 7 compilation and "Pigallelle jonoon vaan" also on Sonet's Maailmalla Soi 1 compilation.

To all the people that wonder what Pigalle is, the Wikipedia gives an answer:

"Pigalle is famous for being a touristic district, with many sex shops on Place Pigalle and the main boulevards and prostitutes operating in the side streets. The neighborhood's raunchy reputation led to its World War II nickname of "Pig Alley" by Allied soldiers. The Divan du Monde and the Moulin Rouge, a world-famous cabaret, are both located in Pigalle."


Pigallelle jonoon vaan


Angie baby