November 2017

FLOW Performs to a Full House

on November 27, 2017November 27, 2017 By FLOW

The following is an article from BT Fasmer, of the NewAgeMusic.Guide. Click here to read the article on the NewAgeMusic.Guide website.

LMB Music announces the debut of FLOW, an exciting new ensemble whose self-titled release presents a fresh, international, acoustic sound; the album released globally on October 6th in both physical and digital formats. The group, consisting of GRAMMY-winning guitarist Will Ackerman, pianist/vocalist Fiona Joy, acoustic guitarist Lawrence Blatt, and flugelhornist Jeff Oster, celebrated their debut by performing to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City, joined by special guest artists including Eugene Friesen (cello), Vin Downes (guitar), Tom Eaton (bass and keys) and Jeff Haynes (percussion).

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Huffington Post’s Review of FLOW

on November 27, 2017May 29, 2018 By FLOW

The following is a review from Mike Ragogna, of the Huffington Post. Click here to read the review on the Huffington Post website.

“FLOW” EXCLUSIVE FROM WILL ACKERMAN’S QUARTET FLOW

Flow L-R: Lawrence Blatt, Jeff Oster, Fiona Joy, William Ackerman

Flow is the brand new quartet featuring Grammy® Award winner, guitarist and Windham Hill founder Will Ackerman. In addition to Ackerman, the group includes world-class instrumentalists: acoustic guitarist Lawrence Blatt, Australian pianist/vocalist Fiona Joy, and flugelhorn virtuoso Jeff Oster.

Guitar Talk: Will Ackerman Goes with the FLOW

on November 27, 2017May 29, 2018 By FLOW

The following article is from the January 2018 issue of Acoustic Guitar by Blair Jackson. Click here to read the article on AcousticGuitar.com.

During a recording career that spans more than 40 years, acoustic guitarist Will Ackerman has enjoyed tremendous success. As founder of—and the original artist on—the highly influential Windham Hill label (Alex de Grassi, Michael Hedges, Shadowfax, George Winston, et al), he has played on and produced Gold, Platinum, and Grammy-winning albums. As owner and creative head of Imaginary Roads Studio in rural Vermont, he has produced literally hundreds of albums—more than 80 in the past decade alone—many in the sort of modern acoustic chamber-music style that Windham Hill pioneered in its glory days (Ackerman sold his interest in the company 25 years ago). But through all those years Ackerman had never really played in a group. That has now changed with a group and album called FLOW—the name is an acronym from the names of the members: pianist/vocalist Fiona Joy, guitarist Lawrence Blatt, flugelhorn master Jeff Oster, and Ackerman.

World Music Central.org’s View of FLOW

on November 27, 2017May 29, 2018 By FLOW

The following is a review from Angel Romero, of World Music Central.org. Click here to read the review on the World Music Central.org website.

Flow – Flow (LMB Music, 2017)

Flow is a supergroup of musicians who have been involved with New Age music for many years. The term New Age is used to describe a wide range of genres, from easy listening acoustic music to electronic meditation music. In this case, Flow performs peaceful and ethereal instrumental music with smooth jazz, folk, gliding ambient sounds and classical music elements.

The four musicians that form the Flow ensemble include guitarist and producer Will Ackerman, pianist Fiona Joy, guitarist Lawrence Blatt and trumpeter Jeff Oster. The group recorded the album in Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont.

NewAgeMusic.Guide’s Review of FLOW

on November 27, 2017May 29, 2018 By FLOW

The following is a review from BT Fasmer, of NewAgeMusic.Guide. Click here to read the review on the NewAgeMusic.Guide website.

Every genre needs a supergroup. With FLOW we finally have such a group in New Age music! I’m happy to report that their self-titled debut album is worthy of the «super» tag too. «FLOW» is a reminder of what made New Age music into an international phenomenon in the late 1980s, while at the same time showing why this genre is still relevant today.

FLOW consists of Australian pianist Fiona Joy, acoustic guitarist Lawrence Blatt, flugelhorn player Jeff Oster and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Will Ackerman. We must also mention Tom Eaton, who has produced the album together with Will at Imaginary Road Studios – and the magnificent Tony Levin on bass. With such a line-up, it is no wonder many New Age music fans have had high hopes for this release.

All About Jazz Review of FLOW

on November 20, 2017May 29, 2018 By FLOW

The following is a review from Jakob Baekgaard, of All About Jazz. Click here to read the review on the All About Jazz website.

FLOW is a New Age-super group consisting of pianist Fiona Joy (the f), guitarist Lawrence Blatt (the l), trumpeter Jeff Oster (the o) and guitarist and founder of the legendary label, Windham Hill, William Ackerman (the W).

Their self-titled debut creates a beautiful flow in the music that lives up to their name. As in the records on ECM, the pause plays a significant role. The music is allowed to breathe and silence becomes a companion to the pieces.

The term New Age is somewhat problematic, but, for good or worse, this is the label often associated with these musicians. However, while the music certainly has a meditative quality, it is first and foremost emotional and melodic music. The simple drawing on the cover reflects an intuitive approach to the music. It feels timeless and proved, and yet has the intensity and wonder of an instrument being touched for the first time. Oster plays long, ethereal lines. His sound is round, warm and airy and seems to grow out of the distance like a mist in an endless landscape. Fiona Joy adds wordless vocals and her piano chords emerge out of necessity. She both carries the music and sets it free.