Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine plays adventure music full of emotional expression and irresistibly catchy grooves. Exploring his imagination and the fascinating sounds of the world, the bandleader Arola writes strong visual music that takes the listeners to places. The group of five musicians from the top of the Finnish rhythmic music scene creates an interesting mix of folk and jazz expression combined with elements of pop and film music. Middle Eastern flavors are especially strong in their music.

 

In their newest album Adventures in the Now (2025) Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine‬‭ embraces‬‭ the sounds of psychedelic‬ ethno-jazz fusion and Turkish funk music from the 70s. The music invites the listeners to the dance‬‭ floor, but also dives deeper: the songs‬ explore topics such as the power of presence and how to surrender to it. The album was‬ recorded mostly live in 1-3 takes per track to capture the magic and danger of live‬ performance and improvisation.‬

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Ilkka Arola - Quartertone trumpet, bouzouki, synth, vocals

Topi Korhonen - electric guitar, oud, vocals

Esko Grundström - bass, synths, vocals

Juuso Hannukainen - percussion

Okko Saastamoinen - drums