The archival record label dusts off new age magician Laraaji’s debut album Celestial Vibration, as well as six never-before-heard, slide-long recordings in a 4xLP set to release February 2023.
The light glissando of discreet chimes, the delicate brushing of an electric zither, and the pure tone of a mbira: welcome to Laraaji’s ambient world. Driven by a mystic search for higher consciousness, and the peacefulness of Washington Square Park, Edward Larry Gordon, his government name, has produced the most ethereal ambient music. In the late 1970’s, his fortunate meeting with British musician and producer Brian Eno led to his first album under the pseudonym Laraaji, Ambient 3 : Day of Radiance. His timeless, meditative sound then took the multi-instrumentalist around the world. From Indian yoga guru seminars to Native American ritual performances, he provided many audiences across the globe with his atmospheric, healing sound and contagious laughter.
But in 1978, right before his name-change, Laraaji had already released a debut album titled Celestial Vibration. Although it went under the radar, the disc was defining, as it marked the beginning of the musician’s journey. Moreover, the album was the result of sessions, and their long-lost recordings. More than thirty years later, a lucky collector came across an ad for acetates “by Edward Larry Gordon”. Making the connection, Jake Fischer happily uncovered side-long recordings of Laraaji’s magic. Six new compositions, coupled with Celestial Vibration and compiled by American label Numero Group in Segue To Infinity. The quadruple LP features Laraaji’s earliest work, as well as unpublished photographs of the artist and an essay of Laraaji’s genesis signed Vernon Reid.
Segue To Infinity out February 10th via Numero Group
