Baptismal

Kramer was already a fan of Laraajis records when he happened to encounter the musician performing in Central Park in 1985. The two immediately became friends, and Laraaji contributed a zither piece to the very first release on Kramers Shimmy Disc Records in 1987. Several decades later, the two prolific, storied artists reunited and began recording a series of ambient symphonies together, remotely via online file transfer. The first, Baptismal, is titled in reference to Laraajis Baptist upbringing, as well as the immersive feel of the music itself. Kramer produced albums for artists like Galaxie 500, Daniel Johnston, and Low in the 80s and 90s, and was well known for showering his productions in layers of ghostly reverb. On Baptismal, it sounds like Laraaji is playing zither and piano deep underwater, with every slow note stretched out and transformed far beyond its original acoustic tone. The glacial 20-minute opener "Submersion" is particularly serene and weightless, occasionally pushed along by gentle bass currents. The music gradually floats up closer to the surface, especially during the more playful and trippy "Ascension," which has gently twisted effects and soft, cosmic patterns bubbling underneath. "The Return," a bonus track left off of the single-disc LP pressing, is the albums most affecting selection, with icy echo surrounding piano melodies cascading in free fall. Later on, Laraajis wordless vocals soar outward and further elevate the piece. Baptismal shapes the duos virtual improvisations into a conceptual cycle, beginning in a meditative state before finding its way towards a spiritual rebirth. ~ Paul Simpson