The infamous "Finnish Underground? obviously saw the need for change since they threatened to be viewed as forest-dwelling rural folksters jamming around a campfire. Nonetheless, said phase of recording brought us two years of fantastic releases. For around two years now though, the artists usually associated with the scene have started doing something quite different (except maybe for Keijo and Uton and a few others who stoically keep doing what they?re doing).

Maybe it all started with Jan Anderzen of Kemialliset Yst?v?t and who started using cheap-ass drum machines, old synthesizers and producing almost entirely loop-based music under his Tomutonttu moniker. A few records in this regard followed (e.g. by Roope Aronen of Avarus under the Nuslux moniker) and a few other artists started slightly changing their style, e.g. Islaja. Recently, at a Kuupuu show, all she was doing was looping samples, treating them and building up a dense wall of noise. Now, we have a new solo CD by Jaakko Tolvi of Lauhkeat Lampaat and Rauhan Orkesteri under the name of Semimuumio and coming out on one of the landmark Finnish labels, Lal Lal Lal.

Actually, whoever was also expecting some kind of sloppy loop-based cheapo noise-fest, will be surprise by "Vamos?. This is nothing you would expect coming from a member of Lauhkeat Lampaat or other bands. What Tolvi is doing is pretty much an exact replica of 1990s Coldcut albums and their followers such as Up, Bustle & Out, Wiseguys or artists of UK?s Skint label. Tracks like "Polygamia? could have been produced by Coldcut as well. Although this album is not really original, it is quite entertaining. It sounds like Tolvi went to the flea market a few times, but some obscure records, sampled the best bits and messed around on his computer at home for a few nights. The result is fun, varying and something to shake yr butt to. All the same, my guess is that the half-life of "Vamos? will be not very long. And to be honest, if I want this kind of music, I?ll rather pull out "Let Us Play? by Coldcut or a Skint Records compilation next time. 6/10 -- Stephan Bauer (11 March, 2008)