Release Date: August
9, 2016
Label: LMB Music
Right from the outset of this album I could hear Ackerman’s
influence however now he is more of an influence on the production side of the
house. Tom Eaton is the engineer on the album as well, a consistent partner of
Ackerman.
As stated on his website Lawrence often plays in an open
tuning to create a nice rhythm then adds the other instruments. It is a very
effective combination. He plays electric and acoustic guitars and synthesizer
(and like any good musician has many to choose from). Many of the guests
appearing on the album help to make this journey complete including Ackerman
and the marvelous brass of Jeff Oster. Because of the diversity offered on the
album it is clearly an instrumental foray into new age, jazz and world.
The percussive elements on the track “Ima” along with
various earthy tones, switch the albums path to a worldlier flavor when prior
tracks were bubbling over with a definite new age/jazz flavor and inspiration.
The beauty of many of the recordings I have heard this year pay tribute to
Mother Earth and that is the route Lawrence took as well on several tracks.
With 15 tracks there is plenty to process and it’s a beautiful thing.
“Upon Griffy Lake” carries a gorgeous melody with the
equally attractive female vocals of Noah Wilding. The lady seems to call out to
you from beyond as the music lets you float to your destination via the
acoustic and electric guitar lines of Lawrence. He uses a intriguing and
impactful combination of acoustic and electric instruments with the young
lady’s voice serving as an instrument as well. It is one my favorite tracks. So
much beauty and gracefulness packed into one song is hard for the mind, body
and spirit to miss.
The other component I recognized on this album is the
excellent restraint exercised when needed to accentuate each instrument
allowing for the best compliment to each. Each track moves from strength to
strength.
“Noches de Barcelona” is full of the embodiment that is
Spain and the video with the track is beautiful. It was featured on our Rate The Tracks site and is provided here as well. We have also included a preview of the album
with a video and a Soundcloud stream so you can get a good idea of what this
talented artist can offer.
This is 5-star recording session that is both relaxing and
exciting at the same time, not an easy task to pull off. It is all done
extremely well and the tastes of genres is most appealing including the mixture
of them all in one single track.
Add Longitudes &
Latitudes to your list one of the very best instrumental recordings of
2016. It’s not hard to do if you appreciate new age, jazz or world or all three
combined, the choice is obvious so give it a good listen!
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Ima, Upon Griffy Lake, Noches de Barcelona
Tracks:
01. Two Shades of Sunshine
02. Longitudes and Latitudes
03. A Place in Your Heart
04. Hyde Park Bench
05. Open Fields and Running Water
06. Two Steps Down the Line
07. I.M.A.
08. Morning in Beerse
09. Upon Griffy Lake
10. The Places Left Behind
11. Park Lane
12. Noches De Barcelona
13. Flying over Ellis Island
14. Slow Walk Past the Bank
15. Over the Rainbow
Tracks:
01. Two Shades of Sunshine
02. Longitudes and Latitudes
03. A Place in Your Heart
04. Hyde Park Bench
05. Open Fields and Running Water
06. Two Steps Down the Line
07. I.M.A.
08. Morning in Beerse
09. Upon Griffy Lake
10. The Places Left Behind
11. Park Lane
12. Noches De Barcelona
13. Flying over Ellis Island
14. Slow Walk Past the Bank
15. Over the Rainbow
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
September 30, 2016
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews