Sanju (Uk)

When Flook were formed back in 1995 there was nothing to compare them to; they were a flute driven phenomenon, not Irish nor English, perfectly comfortable in their own musical skin and free to go as the wind goes. So boldly go they did. If their music was a challenging brew to label for the trad cognoscenti, to many it made heart strings quiver. The musical freedom of having no fixed abode, married with the obvious joy they were creating onstage saw new fans flock to their shows in droves. One third of their flute front line would leave in 1997 and ever since they have remained unchanged, their formidable musical prowess marked through the years with a quartet of acclaimed studio albums; Flatfish ('99), Rubai ('02), Haven ('05) and Ancora ('19). What Flook have grown into as they have grown into life is lyrical storytellers. Each of the original compositions on Sanju have deep contours bedded in the intangible verve of human experience, reflections on friendship, persecution, family, love and loss, the cruelty and beauty of humanity alive now in our world: - from the sea roads between Co Antrim and Scotland's western shore, to the lasting glow of love imbued in 'Winter Flower' - from a brace of driving jigs that hail the courage to battle illness and adversity, to 'Timewaver' and the great mystery and craft of creativity. - from the shattering loss of a bright light in 'Koady' to solidarity with musician friends in shattered war torn Ukraine. - from a composition tender with love for newly wed friends in Tiblisi to the defiance and keen of 'Faqqua' - from a tone poem of hope to 2 joyful jigs capturing the carefreeness of long summer days and celebrating our elders. The late great North American poet, Mary Oliver, had a lesson for living: 'Pay attention / Be astonished / Tell about it.' Sanju is testament to that life lesson... Recorded in North London over three days with cutting edge producers Stevie J Jones and John Calvert, it is a timely reminder at this landmark juncture of what a potent artistic force Flook still remain, in their perpetual push to grow creatively - fondly acknowledging where they've come from while reaching outward and forward, their hunger for innovation burning brighter than ever