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Edward Larry Gordon Celestial Vibration (1978, reissued 2010)

Better known as Laraaji, Edward Larry Gordon released this remarkable zither / kalimba new age record in 1978, when he was working in part as a street musician in New York City, just before he was discovered by Brian Eno in the midst of Eno's most fruitful period, when he was working with David Bowie, Harold Budd, Talking Heads, Cluster, Devo...

What Eno heard, and what intrepid listeners have heard ever since, is an explorer learning his instrument and discovering its possibilities. Though Gordon had a jazz background, this can only be referred to as new age music -- music charting new ground and availing itself of new possibilities made possible by the 70s explosion in consciousness-seeking. Listen closely and you will hear the microphone seem to explode at the album's end. After more than 30 years, the results of Gordon's explorations are as fresh and exhilarating as ever.

LP originals are available from the artist here. LP & CD reissues are available from Soul Jazz.

The affordable download edition from Yoga Records, transferred and restored by new age legend JD Emmanuel, is available at Other Music Digital and iTunes.

Good luck finding the cassette version...