Description
Not just a record but an unforgettable musical adventure.
Borderline-jazz group Halme Prospekt brings a warm light of hope into their psychedelically twisted music through collaboration with Togolese singer Queen Djenny Djella.
The renowned Finnish trailblazers, Halme Prospekt, have been led by Heikki ”Hepa” Halme for more than 20 years, with six praised albums under their belt. You could describe their music progressive borderline jazz, but above all they have open-mindedly fused together a wide range of of soulful rhythm music, from blues and acid jazz to hip hop. This comes as no surprise, considering Halme himself has been a national pioneer for more than 50 years, actively leaving his mark to entire genres within the Finnish music scene – from punk music to roots rock and funky hip hop.
Following their earlier atmospheric and free-spirited albums, praised in Finland over the years, Halme Prospekt’s new collaboration project Music Is My Truth takes their musical adventures reach entirely new latitudes. By presenting Ghana-based singer Queen Djenny Djella, the unexpected fusion brings a completely new sense of tenderness and soul to their approach. The band’s highly improvised style still follows the familiar paths with renowned Finnish musicians Arttu Tolonen (keys), Alf Forsman (drums), Esa Onttonen (guitar), Tapani Varis (bass & flute) and Eero Savela (trumpet), who replaced the late Matti Riikonen in 2021. Yet it is the unique combination of all these elements fused together that truly makes the project stand out.
The story began in late 2023 in Grand-Popo, during the opening of a group exhibition of West African artists at the cultural center of Villa Karo, long known for its close connection with Finnish artists through its residency program. Djenny’s charisma and presence were so powerful that Heikki ”Hepa” Halme felt as if time had foldedbackwards, leaving him instantly captivated. All of this took place in an area once known as the Slave Coast. From the traditions carried away from those shores emerged many of the forms that would later shape spirituals, jazz, reggae, blues and much of the rhythmic language of modern music. Hepa Halme deeply recognized the historical connection, which had already broadened his understanding of rhythm as the very foundation of popular music. Yet this time, what he experienced felt entirely different.
Halme had not travelled to Benin intending to make an album, but his sudden encounter with Queen Djenny Djella changed everything instantly. Fortunately, he had some unused tracks left from the previous Halme Prospekt sessions and immediately proposed a collaboration. Djenny’s vocals seemed to fit the music perfectly from the very beginning, and from that moment onward the process felt almost magical. The result is not an African music album in the traditional or conventional sense, but something entirely its own – a fascinating meeting point where the warm spirit and hopeful light of West Africa encounter Northern psychedelia and melancholia.
You could say the rest is history, as the new album Music Is My Truth, based on compositions by Halme, Arttu Tolonen and Queen Djenny Djella, undoubtly stands as one of the true gems emerging from the Finnish music scene this year. For the first time, it fully brings the extraordinary talent of legendary musician Hepa Halme to an international audience together with an outstanding West African singer. The album deserves to find listeners not only or even primarily in Finland, but around the world. The wait is finally over. Following four enchanting singles and music videos, the album is finally out.! While live shows in Europe are planned for later this year and/or spring 2026, now is the perfect time to experience this exceptional collaboration on record. Just listen – and prepare to be amazed by the musical talent
behind this remarkable project.
