Made his recording debut as a leader with his band Husband in 2003. The
record contains nine original compositions of Vartiainen that range
from raunchy funk of "Sir Dalud", via jazzy "Baritone" and soft ballad
"Le Mu" to percussive world music celebration of "Koiruus". The tight
Husband consists of bassist Harri Rantanen and drummer Anssi Nykanen
who have backed dozens of Finland's top artists together during the
last two decades. They know each other well and you can hear that in
their playing. Record's guest musicians are the cream of the crop in
the Finnish music scene today: Abdissa "Mamba" Assefa increases the
percussive power, saxophonist Timo Lassy brings in shades of classy,
sophisticated contemporary jazz, vocalist Sami Pitkamo finesses the
melodies and Timo Pratskin with keyboards, Jarmo Savolainen with
Rhodes/synths and vibraphonist Arttu Takalo enhance the harmony of the
music.
