Vladislav Delay “Tummaa” Review
Published by Leeds Guide. Written by TG.

Most aficionados of new, genre defying, experimental and just downright odd music have a place in their heart for The Leaf Label. This is a label whose catalogue covers electronica, folk, rock and jazz – often touching several of these cornerstones on one album – and who can boast to releasing records by likes of Four Tet, Caribou and Efterklang.Even by Leaf’s standards, this record by Finnish composer Sasu Ripatti (who works under the guises Delay, Luomo and Uusitalo) – his first as Vladislav Delay since 2007’s Whistleblower – is an odd one.

Taking reference from his background as a drummer and percussionist, Tumma is a largely acoustic record, featuring Ripatti on percussion alongside two co-conspirators, one on clarinet and sax and one on piano and Rhodes. Using his off kilter rhythms as a base, Ripatti pieced the instruments together, creating ethereal soundscapes which build and bubble beautifully, treading elegantly between the eerie and the soothing. Indeed, while this is undoubtedly complex, much of Tumma would appeal to a casual listener, as much as a devout fan of modern experimental music.