Mika Pohjola is a superb technician who also possesses a crafty compositional pen as the artist generally pushes his creative faculties to the limits, evidenced by an increasingly rich recorded legacy. With this 1998 effort, the pianist along with saxophonist Chris Cheek and longtime running mates, drummer Roberto Dani and bassist Matt Penman integrate ferocious soloing into a palate often consisting of vibrant choruses, peppery exchanges, swiftly executed rhythms and lyrically rich unison lines. However, Pohjola also excels as a forward thinking visionary who draws upon widespread influences, whether it is far eastern modalities, Scandinavian folk or the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, while also injecting innocent, lullaby style melodies into the grand scheme of things. Simply stated, Announcement represents a joyous event that supersedes a good portion of the nondescript, overly hyped, and rigorously marketed 90's and 2000 brand of post-bop, whereas this refreshing and altogether stirring production imparts a lasting impression. – Glenn Astarita, All Music Guide
1. Party 08:29
2. Indian Restaurant 03:29
3. Announcement (Kungörelse) 08:29
4. Thinking, Wondering, Dreaming 06:04
5. When Things Will Change 08:19
6. Hair, Scarf & Fragrance 06:29
7. A Portrait of Three Statues 07:40
8. Maalaiselämää (Country Living) 03:46
9. Relax in the Sun 06:53
10. Mustat Ruusut (Black Roses) 04:15
11. Frau von Stroyanowsky 05:02
12. My Mother Turned Fifty 04:40
13. Kids' Song 01:57
14. The Ice That Breaks 04:17
15. The Secret of the Castle 07:28
16. Romance 04:05
17. A Swedish Fairy-tale 07:40
18. A Visit to Look Forward to 06:39
19. And She Appeared 09:32
20. Snapshots 03:21
21. Hymn of the Immortals 04:09
22. Muistoja Torkkelinmäeltä (Memories from Hometown) 04:04
23. A Farmer's Dream 08:21
24. Reverie 05:46
25. Kaféet 05:42
26. Party (Take 3) 09:07
27. Party (Take 4) 07:46
28. Hair, Scarf & Fragrance (Take 1) 06:25
29. Hair, Scarf & Fragrance (Take 2) 06:24
30. Hair, Scarf & Fragrance (Take 3) 06:29
31. A Portrait of Three Statues (Take 1) 07:37
32. Mustat Ruusut (Black Roses) [Take 4] 04:27
33. Frau von Stroyanowsky (Take 1) 04:36
34. Kids' Song (Take 1) 02:00
35. A Portrait of Three Statues (Composite Take) 09:17
36. Relax in the Sun (Take 1) 06:43
37. Snapshots (Take 1) 03:54
38. The Ice That Breaks (Solo Piano version) 05:59
39. A Swedish Fairy-tale (Take 2) 09:14
40. The Ice That Breaks (Short Solo Piano version) 01:47
41. Kids' Song Story (Original CD version) 01:18
42. Kids' Song Story (Alternate Mix 1) 01:04
43. Kids' Song Story (Alternate Mix 2) 01:21
44. Kids' Song Story (Alternate Mix 3) 01:21
45. When Things Will Change (Live in Finland) 11:54
46. Indian Restaurant (Live in Finland) 04:59
47. Announcement (Live in Finland) 12:02
48. Fall of 1978 (Live in Finland) 11:35
49. Hair, Scarf & Fragrance (Live in Finland) 07:42
50. Party (Live in Finland) 12:21
Mika Pohjola - piano & all compositions
Chris Cheek - saxophones
Matt Penman - bass
Roberto Dani - drums
