”Yellow Freqs,” the second cassette release by Jan-Erik Viitakoski, unveils a sonic tapestry that resurrects the forgotten gems of Finnish minimalism. As an archival treasure, this album showcases Viitakoski’s early foray into both synthetic and piano compositions, offering a rare glimpse into his experimental genius. The various sound quality (some being low, some rather high depending on the tape in question) compositions resonate with an eerie atmosphere, a haunting beauty transcending time, echoing a visionary quality ahead of its era. Viitakoski’s intricate synthesis of electronic elements, accompanied with his tear-provoking piano playing, parallels the ethereal minimalism of Arvo Pärt’s compositions, yet Viitakoski carves a distinct sonic niche that pushes boundaries known in modern minimalism.
Besides the time stopping piano playing, ”Yellow Freqs” bears witness to a musical voyage that sometimes mirrors the pioneering spirit of Tangerine Dream, navigating uncharted psychedelic territories of synthetic sound. Listeners will find themselves immersed in a hypnotic blend of ambient textures and avant-garde nuances, where Viitakoski’s sonic palette paints a landscape of evocative moods. ”Yellow Freqs” is not merely an archival release; it’s a sonic time capsule transporting us to a moment when Viitakoski, was unknowingly to the large public, shaping the very fabric of electronic music’s evolution.