Flow Goes the Universe

Laraaji | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: All Saints
• ASIN: B000CR8R9W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,746 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #67 in Music > Rock > Progressive > Electronic

Track Listings

1. Being Here

2. Immersion

3. A Cave In England

4. Zither Dance

5. In Continuum

6. Deep Celestial

7. Space Choir

8. Mbira Dance

Editorial Reviews

Down Beat

"Music that seems to come from another world or culture"

"A total chill-out zone"

Product Description

Laraaji started out as a comedian working in Greenwich Village clubs in the ‘70s when one day he impulsively traded in his guitar for a zither and began busking. Brian Eno heard his music and offered to record him. 1992’s Flow Goes The Universe (his second major work)features Laraaji on vocals, zither, mbira, keyboards and percussion. Wondrously atmospheric and involving, he creates panoramas that are shimmering and dreamily effective. Flow…showcases Laraaji's ability to render mysterious environments all the more palpable, free of technological underpinnings. Produced by Michael Brook. Re-mastered, re-sequenced and featuring new artwork.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zithers & Mbiras (and the smiling, ethereal presence of Brian Eno), August 30, 2005

By 

T-Bone (Costa Mesa, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flow Goes the Universe (Audio CD)

Its sounds are beautiful.

Initially, I wanted to categorize Flow Goes The Universe as ambient (which is fair), but this 1992 recording transcends droning loops. Laraaji's performance commands more attention than would normally be given to audio wallpaper.

Synthesizers play a significant role, but they don't overpower the zithers and mbiras (and the naturally reedy sounds of Roger Eno's one-track guest appearance on accordion).

The song titles clearly describe the songs. Zither Dance and Mbria Dance...both dances! Space Choir is...spacey. A Cave In England...was mixed with live cave sounds. Laughing In Tongues...made me smile.

Although "vocal sounds" are listed for one track, and "vocals" for another, Flow Goes The Universe is essentially an instrumental album ... A very beautiful instrumental album.

Note: Brian Eno recorded Laraaji in 1979, resulting in Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance, released in 1980.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Less Is More, March 21, 2006

By 

Gordon Danis (Eastchester, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flow Goes the Universe (Audio CD)

Hannibal reissued the CD without the one track that stuck out like a sore thumb anyway,"Laughing In Tongues," a throw-away pop tune that was created just so it could be programmed out. No need to do that with the new version, which supposedly was also remastered (don't hear much sonic difference; it was excellent to begin with in any case.) "Being Here" and "A Cave In England" are two of my favorite Laraaji tracks, and "Flow Goes The Universe" might be his most consistent CD.