E001 - Laraaji

On recalling his initial ascent into ambient music in the ‘70s, spiritual pioneer Laraaji remembers knowing that he “wanted to make music that would help people fall into the cosmic memory of our unity.” With both wholly freed intuition and extensive research across religion, music theory, neuroscience, and more, his explorations are known for their meditative delivery and curative tones. In this conversation, which was recorded at Laraaji’s home in Harlem, the 79-year old multi-instrumental talks about what he’s observed in his personal trajectory, and what he’s observed about how his music impacts others. “They lose their agenda and go off into trance or spell or timelessness,” he says in this episode. For Laraaji, playing music is an offering, a social experiment, and a way of life.