Frendz (2)

Quietly entrancing nu-progressive mood rock group from Finland in the 80's. Guitarist Heikki Silvennoinen who was in the influential early 70's prog rock group, Tabula Rasa, became a tv star in the 90's. Interestingly included two of the famous Löytty brothers geniuses Sakari (drums) and Mikko (bass) in their lineup; as well as the master keyboardist/guitarist Petteri Salminen from the Juice leskinen band. Female singer Päivi had a solo record written by Juice Leskinen. Pianist Jouko laivuori has been in the famous Avanti and YLE radio orchestras and colloborated with another Löytty, Jaakko, on that sibling's albums. Frendz released two mellow albums, including 1981's psychedelic laidback opener, a new kind of day. All releases very scarce today. A gospel rock collective hiding merging and emerging talents who had gathered for convenience and exposure. If they cd be described as the poor man's Wigwam then their lyricist Ronald Fair, an African-American gospel enthusiast and writer, is, at least in rock terms, very much more the poor man's Jim Pembroke. Worth checking out all the same.