Laraaji - All Pervading - Excerpt

Laraaji's influenced by Eastern mysticism, but don't be fooled: he's Philadelphia born and attended Howard on scholarship for composition and piano.  Since the 70s, he's used his pianist background to play open-tuned zither/harp, all in an effort to "spread love."  Now, Laraaji doesn't just talk the talk. For real, the dude has lead "seriously playful laughter workshops" across the world.

Last year saw the release of his Celestial Music 1978 - 2011, in which Laraaji gives a shout out to the sun, moon, and ocean.  I most enjoy his meditations on the sun, which seems to be one of Laraaji's favortie subjects, as well.  While the East Coast is finally thawing and Los Angeles is embracing its ambiguous pseudo-spring, I'll take any rays I can get.

I am a person full of contradiction.  I practice yoga, mindfulness, active listening, and believe in the power of optimism.  But I also have a low tolerance for stinking hippies, wallowing, and meaningless parroted phrases.  I catch my shoulders rising when I sense people exploiting the weak for economic purposes.  (One day I will rant on "toxins," related to this concern.)  Music presented for an explicit purpose, perhaps for this reason, often rubs me the wrong way.  But Laraaji's mastery of the zither and his several-decades-long pursuit towards enlightenment is definitely worth exploring.  There's real joy here.  Laraaji captures his subject matter beautifully, no words needed.

Find a spot out on the grass for this one.