By Jussi K. Niemelä

We have just uploaded a new song called Nukkuva tyttö, omenapuu: Intermezzo (Sleeping Girl, Apple Tree: Intermezzo). This hauntingly beautiful, tranquil piano solo by Mike Garson is a part of a shamanistic five-piece suite that is going to be on our forthcoming album Miekka ja kirsikankukka (The Sword and the Chrysanthemum) in its entirety.

Mike just heard the four other parts of this song today and after our previous phone discussions, he somehow knew exactly what we were looking for - what we actually dreamed about. Mike is a magician, an artist of his own kind, a true wizard of notes.

It is so amazing to interconnect with a musician on a spiritual level this deep, across the ocean. But as I said, with Mike it works like magic. The man knows what he’s doing; he lets the universe flow through his fingertips and transforms its crystal breath into music. Underneath the calm surface the kindred spirits interconnect. The result shines. It reminds me of immortality.

There are many kinds of shamanism, but Mike’s is one of its kind. Wait for the album. You will not believe what you hear. Trust me. Believe me.