{"title":"Laraaji","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaraaji is an American musician known for his exceptional talent in playing the zither. With a career spanning several decades, he has become a prominent figure in the music industry. His unique style and mesmerizing compositions have captivated audiences worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout his musical journey, Laraaji has collaborated with various artists who share his passion for creating innovative soundscapes. Some of these notable collaborators include Jon Hassell, Harold Budd, Roger Eno, Roedelius, Cluster, Stars Of The Lid, Iasos, Susumu Yokota, Fennesz, Robert Fripp, Chihei Hatakeyama, Loscil, Robin Guthrie, K. Leimer,\nKaitlyn Aurelia Smith,Suso Saiz,\"Harmonia \u0026amp; Eno '76\", Tim Hecker,and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith an extensive discography and a diverse range of musical influences,Laraaji continues to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories. His work resonates with listeners on a deep level and leaves a lasting impression. Experience the captivating melodies and ethereal atmospheres created by this visionary artist.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"vision-songs-vol-1","title":"Vision Songs Vol 1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eVision Songs Vol 1\u003c\/i\u003e (1984)\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eis the Laraaji album like no other, located at the intersection of new age and gospel. It is both his outlier and magnum opus, the feel-good DIY tape of the century. Discovered busking in Washington Square Park by Brian Eno in the late 70s, engagement with the eternal flow has led Laraaji to, seemingly by magic, emerge as the most beloved avatar of the unstoppable new age music revival of recent years.\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eNow \u003ci\u003eVision Songs\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003erewrites Laraaji’s musical history. Unlike the many instrumental, free form albums upon which his reputation was built, this is an album of songs, with lyrics, verses, choruses. \u003ci\u003eVision Songs\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eis literally a revelation - of a master songwriter whose unbelievably catchy best compositions such as \u003ci\u003eWe Shall Be Lifted, All Of A Sudden\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eIs This Clear?\u003c\/i\u003e belong in any great American songbook.\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eCasio synth jams recorded at spiritual retreat guest rooms and a tiny bedroom on the Upper West Side, lysergically-spectacular anthems for a continually arriving new moment, “channeled,” as Laraaji states in the album’s eloquent liner notes, “from the sky,” previously available in an edition of 100 cassettes sold at yoga retreats and on the streets of New York City,\u003ci\u003e Vision Songs\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eis humbly offered on vinyl and CD for the very first time. This is where this is going on, this is where this is taking place, this is how this is going on. Is this very clear?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Numero","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50416707699019,"sku":"1024366","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50416709140811,"sku":"1024364","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/acfb92fa-cd17-4cdc-be70-8b2c8718df65_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726708843"},{"product_id":"segue-to-infinity","title":"Segue To Infinity","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe definitive collection of Laraaji’s earliest works, \u003ci\u003eSegue To Infinity\u003c\/i\u003e compiles his 1978 debut Celestial Vibration and six additional side-long studio sessions from previously unknown acetates from the same period. A lengthy essay by Living Colour’s Vernon Reid chronicles the origins of Edward “Flash” Gordon, illustrated with dozens of previously unpublished photographs that capture this beautiful and elusive young artist. Full of discovery and wonderment, \u003ci\u003eSegue To Infinity\u003c\/i\u003e is a miraculous chronicle of new age’s most fabled\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Numero","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx4","offer_id":50430366810443,"sku":"2003239","price":109.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Clear LPx4","offer_id":50430367269195,"sku":"2003241","price":109.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/JJgVMrNQ_4194152a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726847438"},{"product_id":"glimpses-of-infinity","title":"Glimpses Of Infinity","description":"\u003cp\u003eGlimpses Of Infinity is a peek into the very start of Laraaji’s remarkable catalogue – this album forms part of the bigger 4LP \u003ci\u003eSegue To Infinity\u003c\/i\u003e which was previously released on the label.  The box included his 1978 debut when he was still known as Edward Larry Gordon, \u003ci\u003eCelestial Vibration\u003c\/i\u003e, and six more side-long studio sessions from recently discovered acetates from the same time period.  Following on from the  box set Numero are now releasing single-length excerpts — stand alone “Glimpses” of some of the first thoughts and best thoughts of one of new age’s originators and masters.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Numero","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50442789159243,"sku":"2198799","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blue LP","offer_id":50442790011211,"sku":"2201342","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1afba11f-9a89-7913-8d73-b5b81dc7e541_3c9156ee_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727004702"},{"product_id":"flow-goes-the-universe","title":"Flow Goes the Universe","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst time vinyl edition of one of Laraaji’s best loved albums, originally released in 1992 as one of the first releases on the All Saints label. \u003ci\u003eFlow Goes The Universe\u003c\/i\u003e was recorded in Tokyo, Osaka, New York City and the English Lake District at various studio sessions and live concerts and subsequently compiled and augmented by ‘infinite guitarist’ Michael Brook, noted for his collaborations with Brian Eno, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Robert Fripp and David Sylvian.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA suite of luminous ambient pieces that stands amongst Laraaji’s very best work. Cut as a double album by Stefan Betke (aka Pole) for maximum fidelity and housed in a gatefold sleeve re-designed by David Coppenhall from his original projection-based designs. Liner note interview with Laraaji conducted by Andrew Parks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"All Saints","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50455845372235,"sku":"1130496","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9cd8293e-661c-4e7b-8810-42b1fd9d653c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727194437"},{"product_id":"sun-piano","title":"Sun Piano","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpiritual keyboard improvisations performed by Laraaji and recorded in a Brooklyn Church by Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War On Drugs, Mary Lattimore).​ \u003ci\u003eSun Piano​\u003c\/i\u003e finds Laraaji fulfilling a lifelong ambition to return to his first instrument, learnt whilst growing up in 1950s New Jersey. A departure from his FX-soaked cosmic zither jams, these elegant miniatures nevertheless reveal enough personality and inner light to be clearly identifiable as ‘Laraaji Music’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis release is the latest step in something of a late career renaissance for the New York City based musician and mystic. He first came to public attention in the late 70s via his entry in the legendary Brian Eno-produced Ambient series of albums, ​\u003ci\u003eAmbient 3: Day Of Radiance.\u003c\/i\u003e​ In the last few years his music has been re-discovered by a whole new generation of fans via reissues from the likes of the Numero Group, Light In The Attic and Leaving Records; new collaborations with underground musicians Dallas Acid and Sun Araw; a revitalised live presence that has seen him share concert stages worldwide with the likes of Solange and Jonathan Wilson; and a wide amount of media coverage: from discussing his love of orange clothes in Vogue, to demonstrating the benefits of transcendental music on BBC4 or performing a coveted NPR tiny desk concert . This latest musical side step introduces a new chapter to the story of a much-loved cult icon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first release in a trilogy tracked at the same session. Look out for companion LP ​\u003ci\u003eMoon Piano​\u003c\/i\u003e, an extended EP of piano \/ autoharp duets, and complete piano sessions anthology CD coming soon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"All Saints","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50469254758731,"sku":"1093752","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fd5cf1cc-8634-43ef-93e0-f6606fb31cef_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727358766"},{"product_id":"sun-transformations","title":"Sun Transformations","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis is a Record Store Day 2018 item. It will be available to purchase from our stores from 8am 21st April. Remaining stock will be available to purchase from this page at 00.01 28th April.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn exclusive new RSD album comprising remixes and edits of material from Laraaji's recent \u003ci\u003eSun Gong\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBring On The Sun\u003c\/i\u003e LPs. The album connects the new age ambience of Laraaji's music to the kaleidoscopic cut-ups of the LA beat scene via e-works from the likes of Ras G, DNTEL, Mia Doi Todd and Dexter Story. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"All Saints","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50484070646091,"sku":"1030798","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2776d313-b6e0-4f02-8a3f-669c624bf40b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727580384"},{"product_id":"remixes-23","title":"Remixes","description":"\u003cp\u003eReinterpretations of Laraaji tracks by Bee Mask (Spectrum Spools), Ela Orleans (Night People), Sun Araw (Not Not Fun \/ Drag City) and Motion Sickness Of Time Travel (Digitalis \/ Boomkat Editions). These four tracks are taken from the 'Greater Lengths' All Saints label compilation and remix album. Current producers and artists working in a sympathetic idiom were invited to re- work and re-interpret some of the highlights from the All Saints archive. There will be a series of special edition vinyl remix EPs dedicated to individual All Saints artists Laraaji, Jon Hassell, Harold Budd and Roedelius.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"All Saints","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50492769304907,"sku":"375541","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/38269239-3901-4be9-8708-77e2da6e09fe_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727693268"},{"product_id":"celestial-vibration","title":"Celestial Vibration","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the stunning debut album from Laraaji. \u003ci\u003eCelestial Vibrations\u003c\/i\u003e was originally released in 1978 under the name Edward Larry Gordon, and then first issued by Soul Jazz Records \/ Universal Sound in 2010.Soul Jazz Records are now issuing this hypnotic piece newly re-mastered album once again in a very limited vinyl edition of 1000 and new CD as a full Laraaji release. \u003ci\u003eCelestial Vibrations\u003c\/i\u003e is a cosmic journey sounding unlike anything else when it was first released in 1978. Laraaji’s album was first issued in New York as a private-pressing record with only very minimal distribution. His distinctive use of the harp-like open-stringed zither and kalimba creates a hypnotic trance like musical landscape. Laraaji first came to fame in the 1980s as a worldwide ambient artist working with Brian Eno on EG Records. At this time Laraaji worked with a wide range of experimental musicians - Jon Hassell, Harold Budd, Michael Brook, Bill Nelson, Roger Eno, Nana Vasconcelos and Bill Laswell. Since Soul Jazz Records \/ Universal Sound first released \u003ci\u003eCelestial Vibrations\u003c\/i\u003e seven years ago (now long deleted), Laraaji’s career has had a renaissance, releasing a string of new albums including a fascinating collaboration with Blues Control for the FRKYWS label, as well as reissues of earlier albums including a three-album cassette only release last year. Today Gordon continues his unique musical and spiritual path - performing his music mainly for meditation at yoga global retreats. He runs his own ‘Therapeutic Laughter Workshop’ where he coaches people in the mindful use of laughing for its health benefits. The album is issued as a limited-edition deluxe vinyl and CD edition. Previously released as Edward Larry Gordon \u003ci\u003eCelestial Vibration.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soul Jazz","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50495558713675,"sku":"1003794","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/16343dba-35d9-42ef-82f5-1638e999a88d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727712355"},{"product_id":"bring-on-the-sun","title":"Bring on the Sun","description":"\u003cp\u003eA collection of brand new studio recordings, recorded by Davey Jewell (Peaking Lights \/ Flaming Lips) and mixed by Carlos Niño (Leaving Records). A magical mixtape of tracks that run the full gamut of Laraaji music, from blissed-out percussive jams to reflective vocal hymnals to trance-inducing drones. A perfect Laraaji entry point on his never-ending creative journey through inner light. Laraaji is a musician, mystic and laughter meditation practitioner based in New York City. He began playing music on the streets in the 1970s, improvising experimental jams on a modified autoharp processed through various electronic effects. Brian Eno saw him playing one night in Washington Square Park and invited him to record an album for his seminal Ambient series (\u003ci\u003eAmbient 3: Day Of Radiance\u003c\/i\u003e, released in 1980). Laraaji went on to release a prolific series of albums for a wide variety of labels, many of which he recorded himself at home and sold as cassettes during his street performances.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2LP - 8 Track double vinyl LP with Download.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2CD - 10 Track double CD with \u003ci\u003eBring On The Sun\u003c\/i\u003e on the first disc and a bonus disc of\u003ci\u003e Sun Gong\u003c\/i\u003e, the previously vinyl only pre-cursor to the main album.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"All Saints","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2","offer_id":50496220332363,"sku":"1016334","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3a5225d1-c000-4310-9169-73344d7cf721_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727718551"},{"product_id":"baptismal-2","title":"Baptismal","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eBaptismal\u003c\/i\u003e project started out when Kramer invited me to collaborate with him on a project, and I tend to think in terms of what the listeners are open to hearing these days. In my mind was a recording that let the listeners leave the busy mind generated by mainstream media, so I came up with the idea of a baptism, immersive kind of LP in which the listener would Become totally present with the music. I suggested to Kramer the title \u003ci\u003eBaptismal\u003c\/i\u003e, and that the tracks would be called 'Gedunk', a comical reference to the idea of being immersed in water, my own baptism as a child in the Christian faith, the Baptist church. I started by sending Kramer several tracks of Zither-centric music in the length of individual LP sides. Kramer would complement the tracks with plush drones and return it to me. Then we would discuss. Soon we had enough material to move toward completing the album. I performed with piano keyboard, ZITHER and voice. We collaborated entirely by sending audio files back and forth via online transfer. We haven't had physical contact at all during the project, but it went smoothly with some minor suggestions to help us to shape up our navigation til we finally arrived. The album cover was suggested by Kramer, which I think is very appropriate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Joyful Noise Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Clear LP","offer_id":50506691707211,"sku":"2022978","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Laraaji__Kramer__Baptismal_31f5f151_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727827652"},{"product_id":"frkwys-vol-8","title":"Frkwys Vol 8","description":"\u003cp\u003evolume 8 in the ongoing frkwys series on rvng intl. is a double album-length collaboration between blues control and laraaji. following the \"fodder first\" tradition of previous frkwys installments, vol. 8 was birthed over e-mail dialogue between rvng and russ waterhouse and lea cho of blues control. blues control's evolved output gracefully arcs with influence and innovation that gleams electronic, new age, and hard rock terrains. laraaji's name came up early in that conversation and felt intrinsic to waterhouse and cho's own musical calling. after learning various instruments in his formative years and studying composition at howard university, laraaji eventually found his musical conduit in an electronically-modified zither. laraaji's 1979 album 'celestial vibration' (recorded as edward larry gordon) places the stringed instrument at the forefront on two side-length excursions in rhythmic ambiance. the 1980 album 'ambient 3: day of radiance', produced by brian eno for his ambient record series, further documented laraaji's zither explorations alongside eno's soundscaping. laraaji continues to pursue music both in its recorded form and as a healing tool. blues control and laraaji convened at black dirt studio in upstate new york on december 9th, 2010. over the course of a single studio day, the three musicians (accompanied on certain jams by laraaji's \"musical friend\" arji cakouros) improvised on several themes, providing nearly four hours of material and the basis for frkwys vol. 8. after meticulous note taking, sharing, and rough edits among blues control and laraaji, the album was fully fleshed out. without context, it's hard to imagine that these musicians never creatively collaborated before this juncture. the dynamic breadth (and breath) of the album feels both effortless and epic, a line usually straddled only after years of playing together. it's clear a cosmic force is at play, and that this playfulness is the creative mediator of the music. over two album sides, the listener is transported from the urban sound garden of 'awakening day', through the soulful yow of 'light ships', into the texture bliss of 'city of love', and finally the reflective pool of 'freeflow'. the first bonus track 'somebody scream' demonstrates laraaji's dexterous zither-playing over thirty-five minutes of music, while the second, 'astral jam', starts with a wu-like beat (courtesy of laraaji) and warps into a rolling snare trance. the limited edition lp version of frkwys vol. 8 is packaged in thick black jackets with a two-color adhesive wrap, both printed on post-consumer goods papers at stumptown printers. 50 subscriber lps come packaged in leatherette jackets. the cd version resembles a miniature version of the lp. a double-cassette version of frkwys vol.8 will also be available, the first tape addition to the series.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"Tape","offer_id":50530781593931,"sku":"345932","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/95e49861-521e-40b2-9f23-cfa65df71750_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728084588"},{"product_id":"sun-gong","title":"Sun Gong","description":"\u003cp\u003eClear Vinyl with Download. Unrivalled celestial music practitioner Laraaji unveils a major new self-contained work, \u003ci\u003eSun Gong\u003c\/i\u003e, an experiment with gong microtonalties processed through various electronic effects. The results are unlike any music he has made before - two sidelong longform pieces that evoke the sound of a shimmering metallic eternal wave. Immersive, ecstatic and utterly transformative. This clear vinyl LP raises the curtain for the more extensive forthcoming double album \u003ci\u003eBring On The Sun\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"All Saints","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50921280995659,"sku":"1014880","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b2e2e53a-8256-4c84-b79c-a36ea0ec7114_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733174416"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/laraaji.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}