Amicum

It's sixteen years since this duo's last album. At that point Alakotila was one of the key figures on the Finnish music scene as a keyboard player, arranger and composer, and Juhola was a much talked about rising star in the accordion world. Juhola has since made a big impact internationally as performer and composer, and Alakotila (also well-known to fans of Finnish band JPP) continues his extraordinary career working on projects with orchestras, dance and theatre and counting some 250 albums he's contributed to.

Amicum focuses on their duo work, featuring compositions by each as well as their own arrangements of traditional songs. They share a purity of tune and an enviable virtuosity as well as a heartfelt gift of melody.

Juhola's ‘Kolmiaskel’ is witty and playful, a wonderful exchange between the two players. Alakotila's ‘Ground Tangue’ is a beautiful exploration of the more melancholy Finnish tango tinged with some breathtaking mischief-making for the accordionist, while the traditional ‘Polska från Sexdrega’ is a tune from Kaustinen, hotbed of Finnish folk music, a melody they’ve both lived with for many years. Alakotila and Juhola's version showcases the brilliance of both musicians as well as the magic that happens when they play together.