The
UMO Jazz Orchestra is a top jazz orchestra based in Finland For
One More Time, they perform a full set of works by
Kenny Wheeler, who guests on trumpet.
Norma Winstone, who co-wrote "Sea Lady," takes a few haunting (and mostly wordless) vocals along the way. Some of the Finnish sidemen get to solo, too, although all are unknowns outside of their native country. The music is mostly pretty melancholy and downbeat, taken at slower tempos.
Wheeler sounds in fine form (he remains ageless) but none of his originals are all that memorable. The music is well played but easier to respect than to love. ~ Scott Yanow