Hyperreal by Aki Rissanen

Hyperreal is the mesmerising new album and project by acclaimed Finnish pianist, blending compelling and complex soundscapes with the shimmering emotive and poignant trumpet melodies from Verneri Pohjola's emotive and the deep drive and irresistible grooves crafted by Robert Ikiz.

Hyperreal is the new album from the Finnish pianist, composer and keyboard Aki Rissanen. As longtime Edition Artist, he has released a series of highly acclaimed trio albums and more recently solo piano album ‘Divided Horizon’ since joining the label in 2015. With Hyperreal, he has shifted gears, with drummer Robert Ikiz and long term collaborator, trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, seeing Aki switch between piano and electronic keyboards. The sound is deep, rounded and produced, and glistens with Verneri Pohjola’s emotive and poignant trumpet sound. Hyperreal is an album about change, about recognising the importance of being, of being aware, of renewal and letting go, as Aki explains: “There’s a change to something new and yet unknown. With the rapid transformation of reality to the AI generated virtual reality or hyperreality, we have to be aware and adapt to these things and distinguish between what is real and unreal”. With an empathetically delivered and unified performance, Aki has produced an album testament of his brilliance as a composer, keyboardist and improviser. Hyperreal is an album that will see his audience grow significantly and lead him to new places, (in whichever reality they exist in).

Pianist Aki Rissanen has quickly risen to a position among the top pianists in Finnish Jazz. Although originally classically trained he has always had a feeling for improvised music and jazz. Rissanen is known for his work with Verneri Pohjola and with Dave Liebman. He has released seven albums under his own name and is gaining a growing reputation on the European jazz scene.