ROUNDUP Genre Hopping ‘Nu’ new age
Every issue, Chris Parkin uncovers the latest gems in a particular genre. This month, he looks at the resurgent interest in the work of new age and spiritual artists…
THERE’S RENEWED INTEREST IN MUSIC OF A NEW AGE, SPIRITUAL AND TRANSCENDENTAL BENT, WITH A FRESH WAVE OF ARTISTS SEEKING ENLIGHTENMENT
With news headlines harshing the mellow of even the most optimistic right now, it’s no coincidence there’s renewed interest in music of a new age, spiritual and transcendental bent. First-pressing albums by artists such as Laraaji and Iasos are worth a fortune and these pioneers have been joined by a new wave of musicians seeking similar enlightenment, including Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society, whose Simultonality (tak:til) we reviewed last issue. The most notable release in this niche sphere is The Ecstatic Music Of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda (Luaka Bop). In the late 70s – a decade after the death of her husband, John – cosmicjazz harpist Alice Coltrane opened a Vedic ashram in California and, between 1983 and 1995 made four cassette-only albums for her devotees. This double-vinyl compilation, with two extra tracks and in-depth booklets about the recordings, is a heady brew of ecstatic synths, gospel-like Sanskrit chants and soulful grooves. It’s up there with Coltrane’s best work.