Diivan Jäljet

The Finnish accordionist Johanna Juhola is a Björk-like figure: enigmatic, daring, witty, unpredictable, warm, passionate and utterly brilliant. She's been much admired and respected on the Finnish scene for many years now, earning a reputation as an outstanding performer ever since her student days – not merely technically but also for her willingness to go in so many musical directions.

For anyone coming to Juhola's playing for the first time, this is a great introduction. There are exquisite folk-like tunes such as ‘Tillsammans’, played with the phrasing and care of someone who has had this music coursing through her veins for many years, while the title-track (which translates as ‘Shadow of a Diva’) features the voice of Tommy Lindgren, playing an accusatory role against the song's mysterious diva, who disappears into the shadows. ‘Tanhutrauma’ (Folk Dance Trauma) takes Juhola back to childhood days with a delicious and unforgettable dance-like tune.

With immaculate playing from the band, guests drawn from the Finnish musical elite, and beautiful production, the final track's title ‘New Adventures in Candyland’ in many ways sums up the album: let loose in a sweet shop of Finnish music, this is the fizzing accordion album everyone ought to buy.