Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola is perhaps the best known of a younger generation of Finnish musicians who are making an impact beyond the borders of their homeland. He first made an impression as a member of the Ilmiliekki Quartet who toured widely in Europe, even making an appearance at Jazz at Lincoln Center. In fact, together with bassist Ant Loötjönen, on Ancient History we have 50 per cent of the Ilmiliekki Quartet, and while the instrumentation remains the same, their outlook is different as much due to Aki Rissanen's excellent playing as the trumpet player's growing maturity and desire to project a more personal approach on his work, as suggested by the variety of ensembles he worked with on his previous ACT album Aurora. This is quietly distinctive music given its shape and elegance by Pohjola's playing as much as his conception, with pieces such as ‘Cheap Taxi Adventure’ and Björk's ‘Hyperballad’ album highlights.