PJ RAUTIAINEN - Secret Isle (2010)

only released in Finland


PJ RAUTIAINEN is coming out of Finland and he just released his first solo album "Secret Isle" independently.
PJ (Pekka) sang on 2 excellent Melodic Rock albums with the band HOUSE OF MIRRORS throughout the 2000s, but left that band to start a solo career, which now resulted in a full-length debut album.

RAUTIAINEN offers on "Secret Isle" high quality hookladen Westcoast / lite AOR in the best early '80s L.A. tradition of acts like DAVID ROBERTS, MARK SPIRO, JOE PIZZULO, JAY GRUSKA, TIME GALLERY, TOTO (first albums) and a Melodic Rock side where URBAN TALE, CROSSFADE, HEARTPLAY come to mind, while CHICAGO and even some DAKOTA similarities can be heard here and there.

The record opens with "Secret Isle" that is a wonderful WC/AOR song with beautiful melodies and a strong chorus.
"Falling For You" reminiscent of CHICAGO mixed with TOTO, soft and easy listening.
"Every Time When It Rains" is a light-weight rocker again strongly influenced by TOTO featuring an effective AOR chorus.
"This Burden" is an awesome mid-tempo that has JOURNEY influences written all over and makes me think of MARK SPIRO best moments.
I got a smirk on my face when listening to the saxophone playing loudly on "Hey Brother", it felt like listening to some classic stuff from HALL & OATES, seriously.
The bluesy laid back style ballad "Show Me The Way" adds a touch of class to the record and PJ’s vocals here are more up in the mix than on other tracks.
The intro of "Burning" reminds me a bit of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition'. A soulful tune, very very groovy.
There's also some songs in the vein of mid-'80s rock&pop acts (like "Promise You", sounding a lot like CHRISTOPHER CROSS), not strictly AOR / Westcoast, but with a high level of musicianship and quality.

The tasteful vocal work of PJ, along with some beautiful harmony vocals, good expertly players (all finnish) and excellent production for an indie release, makes this album an absolute delight for anyone who appreciated quality music and WC/AOR fans will most definitely instantly fall in love with the record.
Perhaps one of the finest Westcoast / light AOR releases of the year, that unfortunately has passed unnoticed to the major audience.
Make no mistake about this and check it out. Worth it.


01 - Secret Isle
02 - Falling For You
03 - Everytime When It Rains
04 - Hey Brother
05 - Show Me The Way
06 - Burning
07 - This Burden
08 - Clarity
09 - Road Song
10 - I Shout
11 - Promise You


Pekka Rautiainen – vocals,backing vocals
Anssi Nykänen – drums
Harri Rantanen – bass
Tuomo Vähä-Pesola – keys
Seppo Tyni, Kari Riihimäki, Jouni Saarinen – guitar
Jukka Perko, Mikko Karjalainen – horns
Mongo Aaltonen – percussion
Kadi Vija – backing vocals






Thanks to VigiAOR

IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT !