Laraaji is an avant-garde musician, composer, and laughter meditation practitioner whose work has spanned several decades, intertwining the cosmic and the contemplative. Born Edward Larry Gordon in Philadelphia, he adopted the name Laraaji in the 1970s after a mystical experience that redirected his life’s work towards music and spirituality. His music often features the zither and autoharp, instruments he has modified and electrified to create his signature ethereal soundscapes. Predominantly known for his work within the ambient genre, his compositions also weave in elements of new-age, experimental, and world music.

Laraaji came to prominence with his 1980 album "Day of Radiance," which was part of Brian Eno’s seminal Ambient series. Since then, he has consistently produced a rich body of work that encourages deep reflection and inner exploration. His most recent releases, such as "After the Fall" and "Sun Roof," maintain the transcendent qualities that have defined his career. Collaborations with contemporaries, like the Gold Panda remix of "slice" or Jon Hopkins' piano version of "Receiving," indicate Laraaji's ongoing relevance and adaptability within diverse music circles. Laraaji's ability to create immersive sonic environments has not only etched his name into the ambient music landscape but also continues to connect listeners with the more meditative dimensions of sound.

Genres

Ambient

Fourth World

Related Artists

Brian Eno

Aphex Twin

Harold Budd

Jon Hopkins

Tim Hecker

Oneohtrix Point Never

William Basinski

Flying Lotus

Loscil

Max Richter

Grouper

Steven Halpern

Latest Release

Namopi

merope•

Laraaji•

Shahzad Ismaily

Single - Released September 9, 2024