Style: “Desert Continuum”, Psychedelic Drone, Free Improvisation, Avant-Folk
Moods: Desert, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Meditative, Hallucinogenic, Nocturnal
Musical Qualities: Droney, Electro-acoustic, Solo Improvisation, Noisy, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Shahi Baaja, Electric Guitar, Autoharp
Derek Monypeny – Cibola Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Appalachian Dhrupad, Psychedelic Drone, American Primitive
Moods: Ritualistic, Meditative, Spiritual, Rural, Hallucinogenic, Eerie, Mysterious, Rootsy, Woods
Musical Qualities: Droney, Acoustic, Noisy, Dissonant, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Banjo, Hurdy Gurdy, Acoustic Guitar, Esraj, Tanpura, Bowls, Fiddle, Concertina, Chord Organ, Cymbals
Style: Acid Folk, Folk-Rock Influences: Arabic Folk, Blues, Raga
Moods: Mysterious, Confident, Serpentine, Searching, Psychedelic, Desert, Determined, Earthy, Flowing, Impressionistic, Introspective, Meandering, Meditative, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Modal, Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Solo, Bluesy
Instrumentation: Oud, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Electric Bass
Sandy Bull: E pluribus unum Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Ritual Psych, Dhrupad, Tribal Ambient, Acoustic Drone, American Primitive, Weird Americana
Feelings: Ritualistic, Nocturnal, Earthy, Forest, Mystical, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Improvisation, Raga-influenced
By the Fruits… You Shall Know the Roots Read More »
Style: Cosmic Folk, Psych Rock, Space Ambient
Vibe: Cosmic, Whimsical, Surreal, Bright, Sunny, Mystical, Mythic, Poetic, Uplifting
Qualities: Atmospheric, Conceptual, Eclectic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizers, Spoken Word, Tabla, Flute, Violin, Harp, Drums, Slide Guitar
Daevid Allen – Now is the Happiest Time of Your Life Read More »
Style: Psych Folk, American Primitive Guitar, Ritual-Folk
Vibe: Forest, Ritualistic, Seeking, Mystical, Witchy, Nocturnal, Adventure
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Fingerstyle, Loose, Percussive, Modal, Raga
Six Organs of Admittance – Dust & Chimes Read More »
Style: Mystical Folk, Global Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Utopian, Communal, Ceremonial, Spiritual, Ritualistic, Mystical, Eclectic, Colorful, Bright, Morning, Sunny, Warm, Uplifting, Mysterious
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Improvisation, Live Recording, Chants
Instrumentation: Piano, Group Vocals, Berimbau, Percussion, Tanpura, Donsi Ngoni
Style: American Primitivism, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Raga?Vibe: Mystical, Nature, Open, Passionate, Pastoral, Peaceful, Airy, Contemplative, Earthy, Impressionistic, Meditative, Morning, Spring, Spiritual,
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Indian-Influenced, Sparse, Technical
Robbie Basho – Visions of the Country Read More »
Style: Chamber Folk, Spiritual Folk, English Folk
Vibe: Mystical, Medieval, Warm, Spring, Intimate, Mellow, Morning, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Progressive
Instrumentation: Organ, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Dulcitar, Recorder, Electric Bass, Washboard, Drum, Bongos, Tambourine, Cello, Indian Hand Organ
C.O.B. – Spirit of Love Read More »
Style: World Fusion, Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Folk
Influences: Raga, Brazilian Folk, Minimalism, Turkish Folk, African Music
Vibe: Utopian, Communal, Spiritual, Warm, Hindu, Hypnotic, Colorful, Meditative, Sunny, Uplifting, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Percussive, Acoustic, Polyrhythmic
Don Cherry – Organic Music Society Read More »
Style: Psychedelic / Chamber Folk
Vibe: Pastoral, Spiritual, Sentimental, Haunting, Medieval, Spring, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Progressive, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Flutes (Kaval, Recorder), Hurdy Gurdy, Drums, Piano, Tanpura, Analogue Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Tympani, Vibes
Ghost – Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Afro-Jazz, Experimental Big Band
Influences: Ghanaian Music & other West African Music, Hindustani & Carnatic Music, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Ritualistic, Communal, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Improvisation, Repetitive, Percussive, Polyphonic, Acoustic
Bitter Funeral Beer Band – Live in Frankfurt 1982 Read More »
Style: Ecstatic Minimalism, New Age, Drone
Vibe: Spiritual, Meditative, Heavenly, Cosmic, Hypnotic, Mystical, Longing, Intertwined
Musial Attributes: Just Intonation, Instrumental, Minimalistic, Repetitive, Suite, Improvisation, Drone
Instrumentation: Yamaha YC-45D Organ with multiple digital delay channels for live layering & interactions
Terry Riley – Shri Camel Read More »
Style: Jazz-Rock, Prog, Kosmische, Psychedelic Jazz, Space Rock
Vibe: Exploratory, Triumphant, Adventurous, Cosmic, Epic, Groovy, Spacey, Playful, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Improvisation, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Progressive, Raga, Technical
Instrumentation: Saxophones (Soprano & Alto), Flutes, Nadaswaram, Mallet Percussion (Vibraphone, Marimba, Hammered Dulcimer), Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Saz, Keyboards (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet)
Embryo – We Keep On Read More »
Style: Kosmische Musik, Prog, Space Rock, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Cosmic, Ethereal, Aquatic, Groovy, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Meditative, Hallucinogenic, Spiritual, Futuristic
Musical Qualities: Progressive, Suite, Raga, Headphone Album, Raga, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Dense
Lyrics: Conceptual, Egyptian Book of the Dead, Spiritual, Philosophical
Brainticket – Celestial Ocean Read More »
Released in 2021 on Lion Productions Recorded 1977, Archival Release Format: LP, includes 12-page 12″ booklet Style: British Folk, Psych Folk, Spiritual Folk, Raga-Influenced Vibe: Hippie, Morning, Communal, Spiritual, Pastoral, Earthy, Eclectic, Nature, Peaceful, Mystical, Meditative Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar (6 & 12 String), Sitar, Harmonium, Doogi, Synthesizers, Percussion, Fretless Bass, Flageolet, Table, Electric Piano
Earthforce – Earthforce Read More »
Style: Progressive Folk-Rock, Psych-Folk, Raga Rock
Vibe: Mysterious, Earthy, Eclectic, Epic, Exploratory, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Progressive, Dynamic, Acoustic, Complex
Ghost – Lama Rabi Rabi Read More »
Style: Ritual Folk, Dhrupad, Free Folk
Vibe: Meditative, Mysterious, Psychedelic, Spiritual, Earthy, Hypnotic
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Drone, Improvisation, Instrumental, Repetitive, Raga
Pelt – Pearls from the River Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz Fusion, Orchestral Jazz
Vibe: Cosmic, Epic, Religious (Hindu), Mysterious, Complex, Passionate, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Technical, Orchestral
Turiya Alice Coltrane & Devadip Carlos Santana – Illuminations Read More »
Style: Abstract Groove, Jazz Fusion, Raga Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Ambient Jazz
Vibe: Exploratory, Abstract, Mysterious, Chaotic, Hypnotic, Psychedelic, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Rhythmic, Dense, Complex, Polyphonic
Featuring Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Airto Moreira and others
Miles Davis – Double Image Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Folk, Brit-Folk
Vibe: Theatric, Colorful, Eccentric, Eclectic, Imaginative, Messy, Mystical, Playful, Surreal, Warm
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Lyrical, Conceptual, Indian-Influenced
Lyrics: Storytelling, Philosophical, Fantasy, Humorous, Poetic
The Incredible String Band – U Read More »
Style: Raga-Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Spiritual, Peaceful, Uplifting
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Indian-Influenced, Technical
John McLaughlin – My Goal’s Beyond Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Chamber Music, Progressive Folk
Vibe: Ritualistic, Hypnotic, Earthy, Tribal, Nature, Meditative, Medieval, Exploratory
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Minimalistic
Instrumentation: Oboe, Violin, Viola, Recorder, Percussion (Tabla, Drums, Chimes), Cello
Third Ear Band – Alchemy Read More »
Released in 2014 on Svart Records Recorded 2011 Format: LP
Sonny Simmons & Moksha Samnyasin – Nomadic Read More »
Originally released in 1998 Exiled Records reissue (2016) Format: LPx2, blank D-side
Sir Richard Bishop – Salvador Kali Read More »
Released in 1969 on BYG Records Japanese Pressing Format: LP Artwork by Moki Cherry Recorded August 22, 1969 in Paris, France
Don Cherry – “mu” first part Read More »
Released in 1968 on Elektra Records Format: LP
The Incredible String Band – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter Read More »
Released in 1967 on Elektra Records Format: LP
The Incredible String Band – The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion Read More »
Released in 1966 on Parlophone Records 1973 UK Pressing Format: LP
The Beatles – Revolver Read More »
Warm, mellow Scottish folk with lyrics that border spiritual, philosophical, and fantasy themes. The arrangements are a bit stripped down from their lush psychedelia of previous releases, but still feature a good amount of sitar, organ, Irish harp, and violin to add some color to the vocals and acoustic guitar-centric songwriting.
The Incredible String Band – The Big Huge Read More »
Released on Elektra in 1968 Format: LP Track Notes A1 – Jobs Tears (Uplifting, Morning, Spiritual) “Stranger than that we’re alive” A2 – Puppies (Peaceful, Sitar, Bowed Gimbri, Morning) “Music is so much less than what you are” A3 – Beyond the See (Instrumental featuring organ, harpsichord, whistle, and bowed gimbri A4 – The Yellow Snake
The Incredible String Band – Wee Tam Read More »
Released in 1967 on Takoma Records Format: LP
Robbie Basho – The Falconer’s Arm II Read More »
Originally released under the title Brown Rice in 1975 1977 pressing on Horizon Records Format: LP
Don Cherry – Don Cherry (aka Brown Rice) Read More »
Released in 2009 on Drag City Format: LP Recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, Chicago, March 2009
Released in 2014 on Drag City Format: LPx2, 45rpm
Om – Advaitic Songs Read More »
Released in 2002 on Holy Mountain Format: LP
Six Organs of Admittance – Dark Noontide Read More »
Released in 1966 on World Pacific Records Recorded in 1956
Ravi Shankar – Three Ragas Read More »
Spacious, Raga-inflected improvisations from Collin Walcott, Don Cherry, and Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Walcott has studied sitar directly under Ravi Shankar, and tabla under Alla Rakha, while trumpeter and flutist Don Cherry, after playing regularly with Ornette Coleman, has proceeded to travel around the world to study various musical traditions. Their wide influences come together organically to create meditative and exploratory music. A melodic and atmospheric fusion of airy flutes, watery sitar, hypnotic hammered dulcimer arpeggiations, driving webs of percussion, and bassy throat singing.
Collin Walcott/Don Cherry/Nana Vasconcelos – Codona Read More »
On his debut album, the guitar and banjo virtuoso starts off with a 22-minute droning epic fusing American and Arabic Folk music with Indian Raga on his acoustic guitar (often trying to imitate the feeling of the oud). Here, he is accompanied by the fluid, driving drums of Billy Higgins. Side 2 is made up of 4 shorter solo pieces, mostly for the banjo, including an impressive rendition of “Carmina Burana” by German composer Carl Orff and a folky mountain song.
Sandy Bull – Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo Read More »
Peaceful drone meditations and mantras for bass clarinet and sitar. The improvisatory melodies are beautifully expressive, exploratory, and blanketed in a soft, soothing reverb.
Tony Scott – Music for Yoga Meditation and Other Joys Read More »
Album Information: Originally released in 1971 on Impulse Records This pressing was released in 1997 on Impulse/MCA Records Recorded November 8, 1970 Format: LP
Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda Read More »
Shakti means “Creative Intelligence, Beauty & Power” and trust me, these are all in abundance on these devotional jazz ragas. Featuring John McLaughlin joined by a quartet of Indian master musicians, this album is a blissfully uplifting and meditative release.
Shakti – Shakti with John McLaughlin Read More »
In this energizing exploration of Hindustani classical music from a jazz perspective, John McLaughlin joins a virtuosic trio of Indian musicians who inspire some of the most impassioned and impressive playing of his career. His acoustic guitar shredding veers close to the bendy sounds of the sitar and fits nicely with the dense web of percussion created by Vikku Vinayakram and Zakir Hussain. Violinist Lakshiminarayana Shankar’s emotive themes and fiery solos make him a perfect foil to McLaughlin.
Shakti – Natural Elements Read More »
