LARAAJI & KRAMER - Baptismal - LP - Crystal Clear Vinyl [JUN 2]

LP - Limited Edition Crystal Clear Vinyl. 

As one of the very few true 'Godfathers' of Ambient Music, Laraaji has forged a unique path forward (always, always forward) since his groundbreaking 1980 LP for Eno's Ambient label, "Day Of Radiance'. It remains one of the eternal pillars of the genre. His extraordinary contributions to modern music over the course of four decades highlight his lifelong dedication to the belief that Peace can be achieved through audio serenity.

Kramer's work in Ambient Music is less universally known, but no less pioneering. His most recent Shimmy-Disc LP, 'Music For Films Edited by Moths', suggests that his immersion in the genre is now complete. Cerebral yet simple, intoxicating yet tranquil, Kramer's newest and more elusive body of work gently heralds what lies ahead.
His commitment to quiet music is complete.

Laraaji & Kramer - "Ambient Symphony #1" is the first window into their collective muse - a collaborative LP of shimmering clarity and vision, defying all expectations for the fans of each of these two diversely pioneering artists. Containing three 'Movements' (along with an additional 4th Movement on the digital release), this first Ambient Symphony is a beatific exercise in the sublime, unfolding dreams to waking life. Quiet music has never been so colorfully detailed, or so nakedly honest. Ambient Music has a new beginning. 

"The Baptismal project started out when Kramer invited me to collaborate with him on a project, and I tend to think in terms of what the listeners are open to hearing these days. In my mind was a recording that let the listeners leave the busy mind generated by mainstream media, so I came up with the idea of a baptism, immersive kind of LP in which the listener would Become totally present with the music. I suggested to Kramer the title Baptismal, and that the tracks would be called 'Gedunk', a comical reference to the idea of being immersed in water, my own baptism as a child in the Christian faith, the Baptist church. I started by sending Kramer several tracks of Zither-centric music in the length of individual LP sides. Kramer would complement the tracks with plush drones and return it to me. Then we would discuss. Soon we had enough material to move toward completing the album. I performed with piano keyboard, ZITHER and voice. We collaborated entirely by sending audio files back and forth via online transfer. We haven't had physical contact at all during the project, but it went smoothly with some minor suggestions to help us to shape up our navigation til we finally arrived. The album cover was suggested by Kramer, which I think is very appropriate."
- Laraaji, Jan. 2023

"... 'Baptismal' began as Laraaji's beautiful idea and became Ambient Symphony #1 in four Movements. Three of those movements fit onto the vinyl LP. All four are on the 60 minute long CD and cassette. Next comes Ambient Symphony #2. There will then be a third, to complete the cycle. I am deeply honored to see my nearly 40 year friendship with Laraaji manifest itself into a series of collaborative compositions that can be experienced long after both of us are gone. Onward & Upward.
- Kramer, Jan. 2023.

Tracklist:

A1. Submersion

B2. Immersion
B3. Ascension