Soul Jazz Records presents Edward Larry Gordon/Laraaji

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5...according to our Brett on Thu 08 Apr, 2010.

Edward Larry Gordon (aka Laaraji) I know through his contribution to Brian Eno's Ambient series but that's as far as my knowledge goes. I'm about to get a fair bit more acquainted though 'cos I'm WELL gonna buy one of these little fellas. What we've got is two side-long tracks showcasing his skill at manipulating the zither with various objects and effects to produce rich, beautiful sounds primarily for the purposes of deep meditation but equally suited for casual listening or to accompany the ingestion of strong psychedelics. Although it could definitely be compared with some of what was coming out of Germany in the 70s with its kosmischisation of Eastern modes, more than anything it's making me think of the minimalist composers and their fascination with phasing. It's almost a lighter, more dreamlike take on the ever-shifting soundworlds of La Monte Young's The Well-Tuned Piano or Charlemagne Palestine's equally incredible Strumming Music. A sublime stunner that gets seven thumbs up from me.. Although that might be the toad I just licked kicking in.

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· Edward Larry Gordon aka Laraaji had his roots in funk and jazz
but in the 1970s turned to both transcendental meditation and music
to accompany meditation. A chance encounter with Brian Eno led to
the release of Laraaji’s (a pun on his name) ‘Day Of Radiance’ for
Brian Eno’s seminal ‘Ambient’ series on EG Records in 1980.
· ‘Celestial Vibration’ was his first ever album, self-recorded and
self-financed. The music is a sublime blend of his jazz musical
roots with the hypnotic music created for transcendental
meditation, producing one of the deepest, most spiritual records
you may ever hear in your life. This 1978 debut album on his own
private-press label (SWN Corp) was only ever pressed in 500 copies
and has been unavailable for over 30 years.
· Laraaji went on to expand his mystical life studying under gurus as
Swami Satchidananda and Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati,
founder of the Ananda Ashram in Monroe, New York. He has released
over fifty albums since ‘Celestial Vibration’, mainly produced solely for
use in meditation schools. He is currently a Laughter Master and
teaches enlightenment through his Laughter Meditation Workshops
which he presents around the world.
· Soul Jazz Records are re-issuing this remastered album in its
entirety with original artwork, on special edition CD and
deluxe heavyweight card packaged gatefold vinyl.