Old school types will need no introduction to band, Quintessence have been around long enough to rally up admiration and favourable judgment through the excellent Dorada released 'White lights' EP. Recently Gilles Peterson added a worthy liner note contribution to the re-released and licensed "Talk Less Listen More" debut album in the UK. Those that know are fully aware of the bands credentials attesting to the truth of their music. Simply said, they are a class act and Gilles Peterson adding his signature pays testament to the fact.
Second album and though it is supposedly a hard time for a band to deliver the goods after such an impressive debut, you sense the feeling that Quintessence simply sailed through the process. '5am' is superbly accomplished and successfully completed. Majestic and regal, like other Jupiter releases, it is surpasses, excels and exceeds the norm that we have to deal with in the industry. These guys really are comparable with the heartfelt soulfulness of Philadelphia and Detroit, and probably with a modesty and freedom from vanity or conceit that they really don't even know this. Emma Salokoski and Tuomo Prättälä vocal and song writing contributions leave a trail transcendent and exquisite travelling. The rest of the players aid and abet this magical and unknowable musical mystery. They are as collective as one could ever wish and together they conjure music that is simply reaching beyond. Soul is their food, and the everlasting and undeniable love they have for it helps them reach the outside and ordinary range of human music giving. This is much more then prime time bathing music.