Blue Landscapes features quiet and reflective music with splashes of vivid colors over a transparent musical veil. Melodies rise from the moods that the musical backdrop inspires, allowing more active listeners to fill in the musical spaces with their imagination. Others may be swept up by the undulating grooves or find themselves in a contemplative and peaceful mood. The music of Blue Landscapes is the result of improvisatory sessions marked by the influence of such composers as Ravel, Debussy, and Satie, and the nature-evoking, spiritual, and improvisatory music of Mark Isham, Tim Story, Will Ackerman, Pat Metheny, Ralph Towner, Paul Winter, and Vangelis. These artists inevitably made a mark on pianist Robert Thies’ own creative efforts, who aside from pursuing an international career as a concert pianist, has since childhood been interested in improvisation and composition that transcends traditional boundaries. The music also stems from the deeply meditative world of the Japanese Shakuhachi as well as spiritual Native American flute music, both lurking in the subconscious of flutist Damjan Krajacic, and finally coming to fruition in this collaborative effort. The music created here is rich, introspective, subdued, wistful, peaceful, and inspirational. The mood is further enhanced by the nature of it being almost entirely acoustic-- giving it an earthly and human quality. "Beautiful, very deep, simple and sophisticated." ---Patrick Kirst, film composer "Here is something so organic, so naturally flowing, creating the perfect atmosphere of relaxation, melancholy and total harmony, something that it is impossible not to love. It is simple, but not simplistic. It is simple in it's perfection - freed away from fanciness but very sincere, pure, ethereal; there is a human emotion (as opposed to many "spa-like" soundtracks), and highest level of professionalism from both performers. I have never heard music quite like this. Absolutely amazing." ---Egle Januleviciute, concert pianist "...a wonderful CD and I am very,very moved by your aesthetic. It truly is beautiful, sophisticated and genuine." ---Bryan Pezzone, pianist/composer