Finnish pianist/composer Alexi Tuomarila’s European reputation has been growing steadily for 20 years, for a scalding improv virtuosity hitched to memorable Scandinavian folk-rooted originals, and catchy groovers often possessed of an e.s.t.-like drive - virtues enhanced by his long trio rapport with Norwegian virtuoso bassist Mats Eilertsen and unique Finnish percussionist/composer Olavi Louhivuori, sometimes assisted by a frequent collaborator, Portuguese guitarist André Fernandes.

On this exciting departure from his familiar paths, Tuomarila plays both piano and synths, and adds a horn section on three tracks of Departing the Wasteland.

The trio and Fernandes develop the opening ‘Towards Dark Light’ from a single chord repeat and shadowing bass countermelody through a gathering percussion swell to blistering piano and guitar solos before returning to the quiet intro. But while the following ‘Gawan’ also begins and ends with quiet ostinatos, saxes, trombone and a tumult of drum sound thrillingly back Fernandes’ slewing guitar improv and the piece’s richly choral-sounding melody. ‘Watchtower Hill’ taps Tuomarila’s knack for pieces that sound like music for classy TV dramas, while his keyboard virtuosity and Fernandes’ inner-Hendrix cut furiously loose on ‘Inner Wasteland’. ‘Moreeni’ is a racing ear-worm driven by a thunderous Eilertsen, and the closing ‘Circle’, the third feature for the expanded band, is an exultantly rising fanfare featuring some soulfully rough-hewn tenor from Jose Pedro Coelho and storming drumming from Olavi Louhivuori.