The Five Corners Quintet, Hot Corner, (Ricky-Tick)

Like Sweden's Koop, Finland's Five Corners favour a swing tempo, Fifties-meets-Sixties retro style that is superficially attractive and probably great live.

Unlike their more studiously ambient confrères, however, once deprived of an activity to be a background to, 'Hot Corner' becomes so insubstantial that it almost disappears into thin air. There are two guest appearances by vocalist Mark Murphy and another by the anodyne Okou, but nothing to challenge the listener.

Pick of the Album: 'Kerouac Days in Montana': Mark Murphy's Beat vocal

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