Finnish jazz sextet Dalindèo formed in 2003, led by guitarist and composer Valtteri Pöyhönen. They released their debut, Open Scenes, in 2007 via Ricky-Tick. The album was produced by Tuomas Kallio (Five Corners Quintet) and featured guest vocalist Michiko on a record that set out their stall as a group that reflected a debt to past masters like Duke Ellington coupled with contemporary leanings. Dalindèo's sophomore effort arrived in 2010, and Soundtrack for the Sound Eye was described as "cinematic jazz" because of both its title and its musical mood, which evoked the movies of Finnish cult director Aki Kaurismäki. The record also featured vocals from Berlin-based artist Bajka. But it would be their third full-length recording that really put the sextet in the spotlight. 2013's Kallio went on to win the Jazz Album of the Year at the annual Emma-Gaala in Helsinki. Following that success, the group toured extensively, securing slots at festivals like Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Helsinki Festival, Pori Jazz, and Tampere Happening. Their fourth studio album showed a further progression. Slavic Souls was released in 2016, and as its name suggests, the band added features of Slavic roots to their jazz stylings. The record introduced Finnish tango and other traditional elements to their ever-evolving sound. ~ Bekki Bemrose