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Influences: Laraaji

 
Music

The time is now for a musician who entered the new age a long, long time ago. Funnily enough it would appear that Laraaji is experiencing the most recognised and distinct period in his musical career. As an artist he has captivated a new generation of listeners through sounds of the past and has managed to bring forth an attentive audience through meditation, music, comedy and art. A humble man, he originally aspired to the likes of Richard Pryor or Bill Cosby. However, in the present he is very much a man of delicate expression, one of the most innovative figures in ambient and new age music who has managed to evolve far beyond the limitations of the niche.

We are truly honoured to be able to have him contribute to our influences feature series. Please take note.

 

Laraaji will release two new albums "Sun Gong" and "Bring on the Sun" 

Tour dates can be seen below: 

08/11/17 Berlin, DE, Kiezsalon tickets
10/11/17 Antwerp, BE, Hetbos tickets 
11/11/17 Eupen, BE, Europalia @ Alter Schlachthof tickets
12/11/17 The Hague, NL, Rewire x Korzo tickets 
13/11/17 Dublin, IE, Sugar Club tickets
16/11/17 Aarhus, DK, Tape tickets
18/11/17 Hamburg, DE, Uberjazz @ Kampnagel tickets
19/11/17 London, UK, London Jazz Festival @ Jazz Café tickets

LISTEN
Steven Halpern - Spectrum Suite

My first experience of NEW AGE music. Recording and
working at a Park Slope Brooklyn NY coffee house in 1977.. Early morning, watching two nuns from the neighbourhood standing in front of the coffee house listening to the sound being piped to outside speakers.. They are standing there peacefully listening.. This was a memorable introduction to the sensation of hearing Spectrum Suite.

  • Steven Halpern - Spectrum Suite

    My first experience of NEW AGE music. Recording and
    working at a Park Slope Brooklyn NY coffee house in 1977.. Early morning, watching two nuns from the neighbourhood standing in front of the coffee house listening to the sound being piped to outside speakers.. They are standing there peacefully listening.. This was a memorable introduction to the sensation of hearing Spectrum Suite.

  • Donny Hathaway - Someday We'll All Be Free

    I attended Howard University at the same time as Donny…He played for the college choir and directed a college singing group. He eventually was discovered by Curtis Mayfield. He was a wizard on the keyboard, this album grooves well and reminds me of the times I’d cross paths with Donny in the piano practice room area at the Howard University College of fine Arts in the mid 1960’s in Washington DC.

  • Joe Simon - Step By Step

    My years of MC comedian at the Apollo theatre in Harlem. I did one or two shows
    With Joe Simon…in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s…I recall the female following was strong..

  • Terry Riley - Persian Surgery Dervishes

    Early model synth, repetitive ei:modal minimal music for modern dance.. I performed on bill with him in Rome, Italy in the late 1980’s… Enjoyed his Shri Camel composition.

  • Jonathan Goldman - "Holy Harmony" (Excerpt)

    Beautiful, choral, inspirational, tuning fork drone, cosmic contemplation.
    I’ve worked with Jonathan since 1982 when he first approached me to perform for the New England Sound Healers (NESH). And latter at the annual Healing Arts Festivals in Maine,USA, and more recently with his HEALING SOUNDS INTENSIVES in LOVELAND, Colorado.. We’ve done several collaborative recordings..

  • Alice Coltrane - Om Shanti

    Video is blocked in USA from viewing
    Alice continues to model high dedication to the relevance of music on the spiritual path.. Her harp, voice and organ are strong in my listening experience.

  • Brian Eno - Backwater

    Up, danceable, fun lyrics, Sargent pepper’s lonely hearts like arrangement..
    Knowing Brian personally, way after this record was produced, I hear his fun orientated
    Spirit that shows up at our personal meetings..He produced my Day of Radiance
    album in 1980.

  • Carlos Niño & Friends - Flutes, Echoes, It's All Happening!

    Free form. Flow quartet. New music, percussion wild free, I will be on tour with him in November. Very alive to be traveling with.

  • Albert Ayler - Ghosts

    Saxophone, bass drums, free expressionist jazz.. I have not explored his music but have seen a documentary about his life. Mysterious..

  • Vaughan Williams ~ The Lark Ascending

    One of my favourite all time violin lead/orchestral listening compositions..
    Sweeping, beautiful, warm and nurturing..

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