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Aki Rissanen: Imaginary Mountains

By Neil Duggan
August 29, 2025
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Finnish pianist

Aki Rissanen

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Aki Rissanen has built an impressive discography through collaborations with artists including

Rick Margitza

saxophone, tenor
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Margitza,

Dave Liebman

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Liebman and

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker, contributing to 18 albums as either leader or co-leader. Yet he is perhaps best known for the part he plays in leading one of European jazz's most distinctive piano trios, the

Aki Rissanen Trio

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Aki Rissanen Trio.

The album Imaginary Mountains, the title of which is a nod to the influence of

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett's Personal Mountains (ECM, 1989), features jazz with classical influences from Rissanen's early training and also reflects his interest in electronic sounds. This is the fifth release from the trio, which features bassist

Antti Lotjonen

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Antti Lotjonen and drummer

Teppo Mäkynen

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Teppo M?kynen. Their long-time collaboration, both in the studio and on the road, is reflected in their tightly focused interplay, mixed with freely improvised sections.

The trio's distinctive identity becomes immediately clear with the opening title track. Though acoustic piano anchors their sound, Rissanen expands the palette with a vintage 1970s Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano to provide additional textural layers. This classic instrument, a favorite among notable keyboardists like

George Duke

piano
1946 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">George Duke,

Billy Joel

piano
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Joel and

Alicia Keys

" data-original-title="" title="">Alicia Keys, provides the granular quality that helps set this recording apart from its predecessors. Rissanen's adventurous approach to instrumentation is not new territory for him, having explored the rare Omniwerk on a previous release.

"No Regretz" demonstrates the tight interplay that is the trio's hallmark, with each musician having an equal voice in the musical flow. M?kynen adds a driving beat that moves from relentless to sympathetic; the creative L?tj?nen supports Rissanen without crowding his short piano phrases and reflective improvisation. That interplay finds a more brooding shape in the brief "1905."

"For E," a tribute to

Erik Satie

" data-original-title="" title="">Erik Satie, emerges as a highlight through its rhythmic stop-start piano phrases that emerge and retreat from the central melody, while inventive tempo shifts create mounting tension, enhanced by the Yamaha's textural contributions. L?tj?nen and M?kynen provide restraint on "Withforest" and compelling grooves on "Glitch In The Heavens," while the improvisational interplay reaches a high point on "High Expectations." The album concludes with "?ki Keklik," a mellow reinterpretation of a traditional Turkish folk song.

This fast-moving album constantly shifts direction, seeking your attention through its intensity and improvisational prowess. While it does not always offer easy listening, Rissanen's creative passages over the relentless rhythmic drive conceal pockets of genuine beauty that emerge more clearly with repeated listening.

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Track Listing

Imaginary Mountains; No Regretz; 1905; Neon Prometheus; For E; Black Narcissus; The Spark Carrier; High Expectations; 2025; Withforest; Glitch In The Heavens; Iki Keklik.

Personnel

Aki Rissanen

piano

Antti Lotjonen

bass

Teppo M?kynen

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Aki Rissanen: piano, electric grand piano (1-12).

Album information

Title: Imaginary Mountains | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Edition Records

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