Sold Date: November 9, 2017
Start Date: November 1, 2017
Final Price: $105.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 33
Buyer Feedback: 40

POP MESTARIT Progressive Rock Compilation LP Finland ELONKORJUU psych ORIGINAL
Visually graded vinyl side 1 VG+; plays with unobtrusive background noise Side 2 VG; scratch; ticks in the end of B2 and beginning of B3; sticker residue on labels
Jacket VG+; sticker residue on front/back; blue marker on front/back
"In late 1969 there was a contest for Finnish pop bands (although on this release the Bands play mainly Hard Rock or Progressive Rock) and about a year later an album featuring all the six finalists was released. I recall reading an article about this album back in the 1990s but because the LP was a collectors' item, I thought I was never going to hear it. Recently I found out that the album had been reissued on CD and naturally I had a chance to listen to it. So, what did the Woodstock era sound like in Finland?  
The first band, and the winner of the contest, is called Faction. Their song "Computer Brain" may be badly produced but sounds good anyway. Waterloo is interesting because it features a nationally famous singer, Freeman, whose voice is a nice surprise to hear. The song "Smiling Face" is not very special. Blue Joint is – not surprisingly – a blues rock band and has no personality this side of Pekka Komulainen's forced rough vocals. All the rest is progressive rock and has a relatively high quality. Overall, Popmestarit gives an interesting view on what was going on in Finland back around the 60's/'70s turn. I can imagine that the bands may have sounded good live. At home listening the experience varies from mildly positive to slightly frustrating."


PLEASE NOTICE all the items will be professionally packed; the vinyl is removed from its sleeve and placed behind the LP jacket with two protective cardboard flats and an LP mailer