THE SECRET OF THE CASTLE
by Mika Pohjola with Chris Cheek, Matt Penman, Roberto Dani

Here is a collection of songs by pianist and composer Mika Pohjola inspired by Charles Walton's 19th-century novel of the same name. The story follows three young men in Scotland whose lives are disrupted by a ghost that alters their personalities and relationships. As the narrative unfolds, the ghost is eventually captured in Edinburgh after a conspiracy led by a local farmer, bringing the story to its conclusion.

Recorded after the album Myths and Beliefs, the recording features Mika Pohjola with bassist Matt Penman, drummer Roberto Dani, and guest saxophonist Chris Cheek. By this stage, the trio had established a close musical collaboration through extensive touring in Europe and the United States. Shortly before this recording, the trio released the live album Live in New York, recorded at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York. Chris Cheek later joined the group on Announcement and the live album English Breakfast, recorded at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

The album consists entirely of original compositions by Mika Pohjola, drawing inspiration from the novel's characters and events while combining contemporary jazz with narrative and fairy-tale influences.

http://secret.bluemusicgroup.com