Artist Spotlight: Laraaji

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James Krustofski
June 9, 2023
17 minutes read

Laraaji: The Eternal Sound of Light and Laughter

Laraaji doesn’t just make music—he radiates it. His work exists in a space where sound isn’t just heard, but felt, like the warmth of the sun through closed eyelids. If ambient music is often described as a background element, a passive atmosphere, then Laraaji is the exception. His music reaches out and engages, filling a room with something more than just sound: an undeniable presence, a shimmering, golden glow.

He is one of the true originals, a musician whose zither-driven soundscapes and deeply spiritual approach have shaped ambient, new age, and meditative music for more than four decades. His work isn’t bound by genre labels, but rather by a sense of joy, serenity, and exploration, always seeking new ways to bridge the gap between music, healing, and consciousness.

His journey—from street performer to one of the most influential figures in ambient music—is a testament to intuition, openness, and the power of serendipity.

The Early Years: Street Performance and Cosmic Discovery

Laraaji was not always Laraaji. He was born Edward Larry Gordon in 1943, growing up in Philadelphia before studying piano and composition at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Initially, his musical path seemed destined for jazz, R&B, or even comedy—he dabbled in stand-up before fully committing to music.

But something was pulling him in a different direction. By the 1970s, he had drifted away from conventional music-making, feeling called toward something more transcendent. He discovered the zither, an instrument rarely associated with the avant-garde, and began experimenting with ways to alter its sound—eventually electrifying it, running it through effects, and transforming it into something unlike anything else.

His performances weren’t in concert halls or recording studios—they were on the streets of New York City.
With his zither, bells, and a voice that hummed like a mantra, he played for hours in public parks, on sidewalks, and in subway stations.
He wasn’t just playing music—he was channeling something cosmic, using sound to invite people into a meditative state, even amid the chaos of city life.

And then, one day, Brian Eno walked by.

The Brian Eno Connection: Ambient 3: Day of Radiance

In 1979, while walking through Washington Square Park, Brian Eno heard something that stopped him in his tracks: Laraaji, deep in the flow of one of his zither meditations. Eno, who was already deep into his ambient explorations, immediately recognized the uniqueness of what he was hearing. He introduced himself, and soon after, he invited Laraaji to record an album as part of his Ambient series.

The result was Ambient 3: Day of Radiance (1980)—an album that showcased Laraaji’s shimmering, celestial soundscapes to an entirely new audience.

Unlike Eno’s own ambient compositions, Day of Radiance had a rhythmic, almost ecstatic energy.
It wasn’t just about stillness—it was about movement, about light reflecting off water, about sound spiraling upward rather than dissolving into the background.
The album’s two sides explored different aspects of Laraaji’s sound: rapidly pulsing, percussive zither work on Side A and deep, floating drones on Side B.

This collaboration was transformative. It introduced Laraaji’s music to the growing world of ambient and new age listeners, leading to a decades-long journey of sonic healing, laughter meditation, and deep spiritual exploration.

The Sound of Light: Key Albums and Sonic Explorations

Laraaji’s music doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre. It moves between ambient, spiritual jazz, meditative drones, and cosmic new age, always carrying the same playful yet deeply introspective energy. Some of his essential works include:

Flow Goes the Universe (1992)

A sprawling, deeply meditative album recorded over multiple years in Japan, New York, and Australia.
Blends electronic textures, acoustic instrumentation, and Laraaji’s signature zither playing into something that feels eternal and weightless.
Less structured than Day of Radiance, this is pure soundflow, a transmission of space and time.

Vision Songs Vol. 1 (1984)

One of Laraaji’s most unique and personal recordings.
Unlike his ambient work, this album features his voice in a series of uplifting, chant-like songs.
Filled with mantras, affirmations, and spontaneous spiritual joy, it exists somewhere between gospel, spoken word, and meditation music.

Essence/Universe (1987)

A masterpiece of serene, drifting sound that feels like floating in warm, infinite space.
Features extended, slowly evolving compositions that seem to dissolve time itself.
One of his most revered pure ambient works, often compared to Eno’s Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks.

Sun Piano (2020)

A departure from the zither-driven sound he’s known for, Sun Piano finds Laraaji exploring solo piano improvisations for the first time in his recording career.
Bright, meditative, and full of gentle, cascading notes—it reveals yet another side of his always-evolving musical voice.

Music as Healing, Joy, and Meditation

For Laraaji, music is more than sound—it is a spiritual practice, a method of healing, and a gateway to higher consciousness.

He has long incorporated laughter meditation into his performances, believing that laughter itself is a vibrational force that helps unlock joy and creativity.
His live performances are often interactive, communal experiences, where music, laughter, and meditation flow together seamlessly.
He sees his music as a form of vibrational therapy, something that works on a deep, cellular level to uplift, cleanse, and expand awareness.

His philosophy is deeply rooted in Eastern spiritual traditions, African rhythms, and a sense of universal oneness. He isn’t just performing for an audience—he’s guiding listeners into a space of pure presence.

An Enduring Presence in Ambient Music

Decades after that fateful encounter in Washington Square Park, Laraaji is still performing, recording, and teaching. His influence has spread far beyond ambient music, reaching into electronic music, experimental sound art, and wellness culture.

He has collaborated with artists like Bill Laswell, Blues Control, and Sun Araw, showing that his sound is always open to evolution.
His work has been sampled and reinterpreted by modern ambient and electronic artists, ensuring that his unique voice continues to resonate with new generations.
He continues to lead laughter meditation workshops, sound healing sessions, and live improvisational concerts around the world.

Through it all, Laraaji remains a rare figure in music—someone whose work isn’t about ego, style, or commercial success, but about an ongoing dialogue with sound, light, and consciousness.

If Brian Eno is the architect of ambient music, Laraaji is its sunlight—warm, expansive, endlessly giving.

Works

Laraaji has produced a plethora of albums that encapsulate his expansive, meditative sound. Here are some of his most notable works:

“Ambient 3: Day of Radiance” (1980): This is Laraaji’s breakthrough album, produced by Brian Eno as part of his ambient series. The album consists of two parts: “The Dance” and “Meditation.” The former is a rhythmically engaging, uplifting suite, while the latter is an ethereal, immersive sonic exploration. The use of zither and hammered dulcimer with electronic treatments gives this album its unique sound.
“Essence/Universe” (1987): This album is an exploration of the resonant, droning soundscapes that would become a signature of Laraaji’s work. The two long pieces on this album create a contemplative, meditative space, where time seems to slow down, and the listener is encouraged to engage in a state of deep listening.
“Flow Goes the Universe” (1992): This album features contributions from Michael Brook and features some of Laraaji’s most spellbinding zither work. The tracks range from hypnotic, rhythmically complex pieces to sprawling, ambient soundscapes.
“Celestial Music 1978 – 2011” (2013): This compilation provides a broad overview of Laraaji’s work over more than three decades. It encompasses his meditative zither pieces, rhythmic explorations, and ambient soundscapes, showcasing the breadth and depth of his musical vision.
“Bring on the Sun” (2017): This album is one of Laraaji’s more recent works and offers a radiant collection of new age soundscapes. The album’s pieces range from immersive drone-based tracks to more rhythmic, percussive pieces. It serves as an affirmation of Laraaji’s continuing relevance in the ever-evolving world of ambient music.