Five Corners Quintet
Hot Corner
Ricky-Tick Records
7/10

In a cold land known for beards and midnight sun, Finnish jazz ensemble Five Corners Quintet seem to be longing for a warmer place – 1930s-era United States. These Finns offer some pretty uppity jazz music that’d make Benny Goodman proud. As the album title suggests, the tunes tend to be “hot” and quick paced – more swing and rock based as opposed to “smooth”. If you’re into jive and swing dancing, this ought to fit in to your record collection. I can legit say this album is pretty fun, but because the vocalist’s voice is generally flat and lame, the instrumentals are immensely more enjoyable.

-Stephanie Thornton