Released in 2020 on Anti- Records Artist: Deradoorian Format: LPx2 Style: Psych Rock, Kosmische-Influenced Vibe: Introspective, Mystical, Spiritual, Confident, Conscious, … More
Tag: Spiritual
Shabaka & the Ancestors – We Are Sent Here by History
Style: South African Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Vibe: Conscious, Intense, Ritualistic, Cathartic
Lyrical Themes: History, Politics, Death, Spirituality
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Spoken Word, Technical
Sufjan Stevens – The Ascension
Style: Progressive Pop, Synth Pop, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Colorful, Epic, Existential, Imaginative, Spiritual, Catchy, Love
Musical Attributes: Dense, Melodic, Lush, Polished, Progressive
Botany – End the Summertime F(or)ever
While the luminescent drones and angelic simulacra of Deepak Verbera expanded out into the cosmos, Botany’s newest LP feels more rooted in the soil of our material reality. The bass heavy beats and impassioned vocal samples inspire movement and action rather than contemplation alone, not to say the results aren’t heady. Rich tapestries of resonant acoustic instruments (harps, flutes, percussion, strings), woozy synths, and warm tape hiss are as intricate as ever and easy to lose (or find?) yourself in. Recommended to fans of Flying Lotus’ Until the Quiet Comes, Boards of Canada, and Alice Coltrane.
John McLaughlin – My Goal’s Beyond
Style: Raga-Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Spiritual, Peaceful, Uplifting
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Indian-Influenced, Technical
Albert Ayler – Holy Ghost
Style: Free Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Active Listening, Chaotic, Energetic, Raw, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Improvisation (Collective, Thematic, Free), Live, Lo-Fi, Instrumental, Acoustic
John Surman, John McLaughlin, Dave Holland, Karl Berger, Stu Martin – Where Fortune Smiles
Style: Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Triumphant, Energetic, Epic, Exploratory, Loose, Spiritual, Suspenseful, Angular, Chaotic
Musical Attributes: Polyphonic, Progressive, Complex, Dissonant, Dynamic, Technical, Acoustic, Improvisation (Collective, Thematic), Instrumental
Doug Carn – Spirit of the New Land
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Black Liberation Music, Vocal Jazz
Vibe: Triumphant, Uplifting, Conscious, Groovy, Passionate, Poetic, Cathartic, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Dynamic, Acoustic, Progressive, Rhythmic, Technical, Melodic, Complex
Erykah Badu – New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)
Style: Psychedelic Funk, Conscious Hip-Hop, Soul
Vibe: Conscious, Groovy, Retro-Futuristic, Passionate, Philosophical, Political, Psychedelic, Uplifting, Urban, Eclectic
Musical Attributes: Groovy, Rhythmic, Lush, Melodic, Complex, Sampling, Lyrical
Lonnie Holley – Mith
Style: Experimental Singer-Songwriter, Soul Blues, Psychedelic Soul
Vibe: Imaginative, Bluesy, Cathartic, Conscious, Cosmic, Spiritual, Heartfelt, Passionate, Psychedelic, Rootsy, Bittersweet, Poetic
Lyrical Themes: Existential, Afro-Futurism, History, Racism, Reflective
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Lyrical, Improvisation, Raw, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Vocals, Piano, Synthesizers, Keyboards, Saxophone, Trombone, Percussion
Robbie Basho – Visions of the Country
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
Albert Ayler – New Grass
One can only imagine how Ayler bringing more commercial styles like R&B, Rock, and Gospel into his avant-garde music messed with critics and fans alike when it came out—the way it looked like commercial pandering to the Free Jazz listeners but was probably still too weird for new listeners. It helps to remember that Ayler came from R&B and went straight to the Free Spiritual Jazz of the early 60s, making Jazz critics highly skeptical skeptical by not climbing the bebop ranks like Coltrane before plunging into freedom. On New Grass, Ayler really started to synthesize the spiritual elements of many forms of Great Black Music, making more accessible music not as a way of selling out, but a way of sharing his beautiful spiritual message and sound with a wider audience. Plus this thing has Bernard Purdie on drums so of course it slaps.
If you dig this LP, I think he succeeded in this sound direction even more on his following albums Love Cry and Music is the Healing Force of the Universe. Albert Ayler was a pure soul that left this world too soon, grateful for the gifts of music and wisdom he left behind.
Ravi Shankar – Improvisations
Style: Raga-Jazz, Hindustani Classical Music
Vibe: Passionate, Spiritual, Energetic, Focused, Meditative, Peaceful
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Acoustic, Instrumental, Technical
The Books – Lost and Safe
Style: Collage-Pop, Glitch-Folk, Plunderphonics
Vibe: Surreal, Psychedelic, Peaceful, Cerebral, Meditative, Philosophical, Spiritual, Uplifting, Warm, Playful, Hallucinogenic
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Electro-Acoustic, Melodic, Sound Collage, Vocal Manipulation
John Coltrane – Live at the Village Vanguard Again!
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Passionate, Spiritual, Exploratory, Triumphant,
Musical Attributes: Complex, Modal, Thematic, Acoustic, Live, Improvisation, Dynamic, Instrumental
Wildflower – Wildflower
Style: Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Warm, Spiritual, Groovy
Musical Attributes: Melodic, Improvisation, Acoustic (Upright Bass, Drums, Flute/Saxophone)
Mos Def – Black on Both Sides
Style: East Coast Hip-Hop, Boom Bap, Jazz Rap
Vibe: Conscious, Uplifting, Groovy, Confident, Urban
Lyrics/Themes: Philosophical, Political, Black Pride, Racism, Spiritual, Islam
Musical Attributes: Lyrical, Sampling, Beats, Turntables, Live Instrumentation (Rhodes, Electric Bass)
Eddie Henderson – Realization
Style: Abstract Funk, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Lineup: Eddie Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin, Lenny White, Billy Hart, Buster Williams, Pat Gleeson
Vibe: Cosmic, Exploratory, Groovy, Atmospheric, Spacey, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Pharoah Sanders – Village of the Pharoahs
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Communal, Earthy, Energetic, Hypnotic, Intense, Loose, Mystical, Passionate, Spiritual, Tribal, Uplifting, Warm, Dance
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Dense, Thematic, Suite
The Sea Ensemble – We Move Together
An obscure release from the great creative label ESP-Disk, containing exploratory, mysterious and playful improvisations from The Sea Ensemble—the husband/wife duo of Zusaan Fasteau and Donald Rafael Garrett. While they are both trained musicians and multi-instrumentalists, an uninhibited childish spirit permeates this release, as can be seen in Donald’s crude but visionary cover drawing; Yet the recording also feels imbued with ancient wisdom, as heard in their primal and instinctive vocalizations throughout the album
James Holden & the Animal Spirits – The Animal Spirits
These communal sound rituals express a digital-era longing to reconnect to the Earth. The grooves here are circular and ceremonial, not rooted to any specific musical traditions but borrowing from many, including cosmic jazz, kosmische musik and undoubtedly inspired by Holden’s collaboration with legendary Gnawa musician Maleem Mahmoud Ghania. Drums and percussion ground the proceedings while muscular sequencer and fiery saxophone arpeggiations hypnotically intertwine. The sounds of fluttering recorder and modular synthesizer swirl through the air like offerings to the cosmos.
Recommended for fans of The Comet is Coming, Tonto’s Exploding Head Band, Maleem Mahmoud Ghania & Pharoah Sander’s Trance of Seven Colors, Natural Information Society, Colin Stetson
Circuit Des Yeux – Reaching for Indigo [Full Review]
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Jazz-Folk, Experimental Rock
Vibe: Cathartic, Transcendent, Existential, Funereal, Introspective, Intense
Featuring: Ryley Walker, Ka Baird, Cooper Crain, Joshua Abrams
[Follow link for full review]
Irreversible Entanglements – Who Sent You?
Irreversible Entanglements follows up the scathing fire music of their debut with regenerative and ritualistic earth music. “Who Sent You?”, is a record that looks not only to the violent “rhythms of oppression”, past and present, that need to be burnt to the ground, but to a future built from the ashes of these unjust systems. Irreversible Entanglements are simply one of the most powerful bands in existence, building their symbiotic improvisations with fervent passion, hypnotic rhythm, and urgent truths.
Gato Barbieri – Chapter One: Latin America
Released in 1973 on Impulse! Records Format: LP
Alice Coltrane – Lord of Lords
Originally released in 1972 on Impulse! Records Superior Viaduct reissue (2018) Format: LP
John Coltrane – First Meditations (For Quartet)
Released in 1977 on Impulse Records Recorded September 2, 1965 Format: LP
Senyawa – Sujud
Released in 2018 on Sublime Frequencies Format: LP
Sonny Simmons & Moksha Samnyasin – Nomadic
Released in 2014 on Svart Records Recorded 2011 Format: LP
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter 1: Gens de Couleur Libres
Released in 2011 on Constellation Records Format: 10″x2
The Clandestine Quartet – One for the Fossa, Two for the Wolverine
Released in 2019 on 33-33 Records Format: LP Style: Free-Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock Influences: Arabic Folk Music, Free Improvisation, … More
Gong – Angel’s Egg (Radio Gnome Invisible Part 2)
The second Radio Gnome transmission finds Zero the Hero astral projecting to PlanetGong where he meets with Selene the Moon Goddess and the Octave Doctors to learn the infinite powers of their lovewisdom vibrations. This psychedelic journey brings together fantastical imagery of pothead pixies and flying teapots (and a dose of hippy hedonism) with heady spiritual concepts delivered in a quite fun and silly way, but even before digging into the concept I was immediately grabbed by their unique style spacey jazz-rock with its propulsive bass lines, immersive synthesizer atmospheres and serpentine soprano sax soloing.
Black Spirituals – Of Deconstruction
Style: Free Improvisation
Influences: Spiritual Jazz, Noise, Free Jazz
Vibe: Spiritual, Ritualistic, Cathartic, Abstract
Recommended for fans of Albert Ayler, Oren Ambarchi, Stephen O’Malley
Gong – Magick Brother
Style: Canterbury Scene, Psych Rock
Vibe: Psychedelic, Whimsical, Joyful, Eccentric, Spacey, Playful
Musical Attributes: Raw, Progressive, lo-fi
Circuit Des Yeux – Reaching For Indigo: Gaia Infinitus
Released in 2019 Recorded in the Netherlands on November 11, 2018 Format: LP, DVD
David Sylvian – Secrets of the Beehive
Released in 1987 on Virgin Records Format: LP
Ravi Shankar – India’s Master Musician
Originally released in 1958 on World Pacific Records 1963 Pressing Format: LP
Eamon Fogarty – Blue Values
Released in 2019 on Jealous Butcher Records Format: LP
The Comet is Coming – Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery
Released in 2019 on Impulse! Records Format: LP
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Gato Barbieri – The Third World
Released in 1970 on Flying Dutchman Records Recorded November 24-25, 1969 Format: LP
Albert Ayler Trio – Spiritual Unity
Originally released in 1965 on ESP Disk Recorded July 10, 1964 2000’s ESP pressing Format: LP
jaimie branch – Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise
Released in 2019 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LP
Carlos Niño & Friends – Bliss On Dear Oneness
Released in 2019 on Leaving Records Format: LP
Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference
Released in 2017 on Young Turks Format: 12″ EP
Curtis Mayfield – Roots
Released in 1971 on Curtom Records Format: LP
Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda – World Spirituality Classics 1: The Ecstatic Music is Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda
Released in 2017 on Luaka Bop Format: LPx2
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings
Released in 2018 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LPx2
John Coltrane – Ascension (Edition II)
Released in 1966 on Impulse Records Original Pressing Format: LP
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma – Tracing Back the Radiance
Washes of piano, harp, and other ephemeral sonic artifacts float through Ledesma’s peaceful, almost static atmospheres like a night breeze through the quiet woods.
Albert Ayler – In Greenwich Village
Released in 1967 on Impulse! Records Format: LP
Don Cherry – “mu” first part
Released in 1969 on BYG Records Japanese Pressing Format: LP Artwork by Moki Cherry Recorded August 22, 1969 in Paris, … More
John Fahey – America
Released in 1971 on Takoma Records Format: LP
John Fahey – Fare Forward Voyagers (Soldier’s Choice)
Released in 1973 on Takoma Records Format: LP
The John Coltrane Quartet – Crescent
Released in 1964 on Impulse! records 1997 reissue Format: LP
John Coltrane – Expression
Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
Released in 2007 on Saddle Creek Records Format: LPx2
Herbie Hancock – Mwandishi
Released in 1971 on Warner Bros. Format: LP, white label promo
John Fahey & His Orchestra – Old Fashioned Love
Another interesting one from Fahey, side A consists of some amazingly intricate guitar duets with Woodrow Mann, including my favorite Fahey song “Jaya Shiva Shankarah”. Side B takes a strange turn though…halfway through the title track a 10-piece dixieland band kicks for a few tracks of New Orleans-style jazz. The album closes in a more familiar place with a contemplative solo piece that most Fahey fans would dig.
Sarah Louise – Deeper Woods
Released in 2018 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
Originally released in 1965 on Impulse Records 2010 Analogue Productions Pressing Format: LPx2, 45RPM
Pharoah Sanders – Thembi
Released in 1971 on Impulse Records Recorded November 25, 1970 and January 12, 1971 Format: LP
Bennie Maupin – The Jewel in the Lotus
Released in 1974 on ECM Records Format: LP
Herbie Hancock – Crossings
Releases in 1972 on Warner Bros. Records Format: LP
McCoy Tyner – Asante
Released in 1974 on Blue Note Records Recorded September 10th, 1970 at Van Gelder Recording Studio Format: LP
Pharoah Sanders – Jewels of Thought
Released in 1970 on Impulse Records Recorded October 20th, 1969, at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City Format: LP
McCoy Tyner – Extensions
Released in 1972 on Blue Note Records Format: LP
Pharoah Sanders – Black Unity
Released in 1971 on Impulse Records Format: LP
The Incredible String Band – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter
Released in 1968 on Elektra Records Format: LP
The Incredible String Band – The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion
Released in 1967 on Elektra Records Format: LP
Human Behavior – Bethpage
The apocalyptic chamber-folk of Bethpage soundtracks multiple chapters of cryptic storytelling, mixing one’s darkest thoughts with religious imagery and allegory through banjo sing-alongs and haunting spoken word passages. The heavy climaxes are whirlwinds of bombastic drums, driving bass, fiddle, clarinet, and banjo that often recall the communal chamber-punk of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra. While many tracks feel seeped in shadow and darkness, a heavenly light occasionally floods in through some truly serene and beautiful passages.
The Incredible String Band – The Big Huge
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 Books – The Way Out
The Books’ music is simultaneously funny, innovative, catchy and enlightening. They use found sound and spoken word mixed with innovative recording techniques and acoustic instruments to create beautiful sound-collages that somehow create unity between all these disparate sources, as if they were all meant to be together. Everything these guys do, solo or together, is absolute genius.
The Incredible String Band – Wee Tam
Released on Elektra in 1968 Format: LP Track Notes A1 – Jobs Tears (Uplifting, Morning, Spiritual) “Stranger than that we’re alive” … More
Avey Tare – Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a beautiful, enveloping excursion of aquatic psych-folk characterized by flowing, hallucinogenic instrumentation, atmospheric production, nature field recordings, and ghostly background vocals from one of my favorite singers, Angel Deradoorian. Avey Tare’s introspective and intimate lyrics mix psychedelic revelations, reminiscing, surreal imagery, and nature/water themes, often leading to profound realizations of a very personal sense of spirituality. The lush orchestrations are arranged by the amazing and unique violist Eyvind Kang, which include woodwinds, horns, strings, and pedal steel slide guitar from Susan Alcorn.
For fans of Animal Collective’s “Campfire Songs” and the slow portions of “Feels”.
Click for full review
Oneohtrix Point Never – R+7
Released in 2013 on Warp Records Format: LPx2
Robbie Basho – The Falconer’s Arm II
Released in 1967 on Takoma Records Format: LP
Don Cherry – Don Cherry (aka Brown Rice)
Originally released under the title Brown Rice in 1975 1977 pressing on Horizon Records Format: LP
Exuma – Exuma
Exuma’s first album is a powerful and ritualistic masterpiece of spiritual folk from the Bahamas. Exuma, the Obeah Man, is a master storyteller and preacher, sharing visions, myths, and prayers. His expressive, soulful voice takes on many tones as he delivers his musical sermons, from smooth to raspy, soft to confident. A group of singers, percussionists, whistlers, and toads join him and his acoustic guitar, making me imagine them all circled around a large fire in communal worship and grateful that they let us listeners in on it.
Om – God is Good
Released in 2009 on Drag City Format: LP Recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, Chicago, March 2009
Om – Advaitic Songs
Released in 2014 on Drag City Format: LPx2, 45rpm
Gong – You
Released in 1974 on Virgin Records Format: LP
Charles Lloyd – Geeta
Released in 1973 on A&M Records Format: LP
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Originally released in 1991 on Polydor 2011 pressing on Ba Da Bing Records Format: LP
John Coltrane – Meditations
Released in 1966 on Impulse Records Original Pressing
Earth – The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull
Originally released in 2008 on Southern Lord 2014 Pressing Format: LPx2, Red Vinyl
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & Bitchin Bajas – Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties
A far cry from the sparse folk usually recorded by Will Oldham, “Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties” finds his intimate voice and warbly acoustic guitar enveloped by the cosmic drones, blooming synths, airy flutes, and hypnotic tape loops of Chicago new age trio, Bitchin Bajas. The lyrics are essentially fortune cookie mantras and, while there’s a chance they’re tongue-in-cheek, it’s difficult not to smile and feel a brightening of the spirit when hearing uplifting phrases like “Your hard work is about to pay off, keep on keepin’ on” or “you and your whole family are well” get repeated over and over. This collaboration is a soothing, heartwarming listen and a refreshing change-of-pace from Oldham’s tendency towards melancholy and solemn lyrical content.
Don Cherry – Eternal Rhythm
Originally released in 1969 on MPS Records 1972 BASF Pressing Format: LP
John Coltrane Quartet – Afro Blue Impressions
Released in 1977 on RCA Recorded live on a European tour in 1963 Format: LPx2
Young Jesus – The Whole Thing is Just There
The Whole Thing is Just There is another beautiful and life-affirming release from Young Jesus, the second with the current L.A. iteration of the band. Their inter-band chemistry seems stronger than ever, with telepathic improvisations, symbiotic catharses, and a mutual love for each other that is easily felt from a listener’s perspective. The lyrics deal with self-exploration and one’s relationship with the world around them, finding solace in spirituality, existentialism, literature, and the ethos of free jazz. Stylistically the music seems rooted in late-90’s indie rock and emo, with seamless but adventurous detours into post-rock, noisy post-hardcore, and free improvisation. Excited to see where these guys go next.
Black Spirituals – Black Access • Black Axes
Ravi Shankar – Three Ragas
Released in 1966 on World Pacific Records Recorded in 1956
Deradoorian – Eternal Recurrence
There is a fathomless void within each of us. And while many choose to run from it, clinging to anything to keep from falling in, Deradoorian dove right in on her meditative release, Eternal Reccurrence. Here she provides somewhat of a sonic roadmap for diving deep within yourself, guided by the blooming drones of harmonium, Juno synthesizers, and flutes. Arising from the ether, layers of otherworldly voices sing mantras of facing our Shadow (“Mirrorman”), finding the love that resides in the core of our being, and bringing it back with us into this material dimension.
Yonatan Gat – Universalists
The new album from guitarist Yonatan Gat finds cohesiveness in its sprawling diversity. Stylistically it combines the rawness of garage rock, the thematic improvisation of Free jazz, and the experimental editing of musique concréte with psychedelic production, Arabic and Klezmer scales and surfy tremelo guitars.
Deradoorian – The Expanding Flower Planet
Recommended for those who know that “psychedelic” is not a sound, but a spirit of creativity and exploration within the mind. Those who know Deradoorian for her work with Dirty Projectors will appreciate the complex arrangements and production, albeit in a much more mysterious context. Fans of Bjork, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Flaming Lips, Portishead, or Can will also find a lot to love.
Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas – Automaginary
On Automaginary, the Gnawa-inspired cosmic jazz of Natural Information Society is augmented by the flowing textures of Chicago new age trio Bitchin Bajas to create an album of enveloping drones and trance-inducing rhythms. (Follow link for full Review)
Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids – An Angel Fell
An Angel Fell is a call to action for protecting and healing our planet, using folklore, group vocals, uplifting themes, deep grooves, and expressive improvisations to deliver the message. While not as wild and loose as the dense free jazz the Pyramids made back in the 70s, this record is an organic and vibrant fusion of spiritual jazz, dub, and Afrobeat that will give fans of musical geniuses such as Sun Ra, King Tubby, Fela Kuti, and Pharoah Sanders plenty to vibe to.
D’Angelo & the Vanguard – Black Messiah
Released in 2014 on RCA Records Format: LPx2 Includes 12″x12″ lyric booklet
lojii – lofeye
Categorization and comparison are the least of lojii’s worries, instead prioritizing creative expression and finding spiritual truth and power in this dimly lit dystopia. He delivers his prophetic words with a focused, unwavering determination, while the beats are gritty and nocturnal with their open percussion, eerie synths, and negative space. Don’t miss out on this one.