Flook - Ancora (2019)

After a gap of fourteen years and due to overwhelming popular demand, legendary folk band Flook present 'Ancora', their brand new album. Despite the recording hiatus between their third studio album and 'Ancora', in recent years Flook have played occasional live shows, including short tours of Ireland, Japan and Germany as well as festival shows. With the flutes and whistles of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly, the iconic band weaves and spins traditionally rooted tunes into an enthralling sound with agile but tight rhythms and virtuoso improvisation. Flook possesses a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination. As Brian Finnegan observes 'The imagery associated with the meaning of 'Ancora' is abundant indeed. It is the Latin word for anchor, be that to the seabed or in the kith and kin of our lives. It also means hope and again. The great Italian master Michelangelo was attributed as saying 'Ancora Impara' on his 87th birthday, meaning 'I am ever learning'. This resonated in us and was present throughout the process of recording 'Ancora'. So, deeper in we go. Thanks for listening.' Having won Best Band at the BBC Folk Awards 2006, there is no shortage of virtuosity amongst the members of Flook, but the unique impact of this sensational Anglo-Irish group stems from the wholly intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, frets and skins. 'Ancora' marks a welcome return after too long away, but also a continuation.