Jimi Sumen - 3 albums

Jimi Sumen, despite being a pioneer in the new romantic field here in Finland, has never seen his records released on CD, which is a shame.

He was only 18 when he competed in the national rock contest in Kulttuuritalo in early 1977. Jimi Sumen & Dreams put on an unforgettable show. They were the last act to perform in a contest full of apparently rather boring bands. Sumen literally woke the audience up by playing four Jimi Hendrix songs, playing his guitar exactly like Hendrix did and even burned his guitar on stage just like his idol used to do. He shared the victory with Sukellusvene merely because the jury, especially the jazz fans, sensed that giving the victory slot to a plagiarist might give the false impression to budding musicians that merely copying others will get you a long way.

Late 1977 Hendrix influences were mostly gone, and Sumen had a short Ted Nugent phase before, after many attempts to get something worthwhile done in recording studios, his first album "Key West" was finally released on Love Records in 1978. The album was regarded as rather tame, but watered-down or not, there's still enough energy on the a-side to satisfy any rock'n'roll fan. The b-side contains more boogie-type material, with less guitar and more bass - except for one song which is pure punk rock!

Key West (1978):

1. Fleet Street 64
2. Your Day
3. Backroads
4. If It's Too Loud
5. 'Cause It's Not Too Late
6. Hammingway Sam
7. You're a Punk
8. Miami Mammie
9. Hillage Boogie
10. Night Time

Sumen then jumped headlong into the budding new romantic movement and did two synth-heavy albums for Dig It: "Screenplay" (1980) and "Between Orient and Accidents" (1981). This time he was accused of being a Bowie copyist, listen for yourselves if this is deserved or not. At least he does a Bowie cover on "Orient".

Screenplay (1980):

1. Screenplay
2. Motor City
3. China Speed
4. Local Lust
5. Movements
6. Katsu!
7. Scandinavian
8. Cut Up
9. Mister
10. Swingin' London
11. Isn't It Wild

Between Orient and Accidents (1981):

1. Chain Party
2. The Model
3. (No More) Home Movies
4. Neon Life
5. Rebel Rebel
6. Love Is a Liquid
7. Visitor's New Objects
8. Tokyo Story
9. The Other Side of Life


The video for "(No More) Home Movies" was one of the first real Finnish music videos.

Sumen joined Brit band Classix Nouveaux in 1982 and played on their last album "Secret" (1983). Later he's worked as producer. In 1993 he released an album called "Paintbrush, Rock Penstemon", which I've never even heard of.


http://finnishrock.blogspot.com/2008/04/jimi-sumen.html