Laraaji, Brian Eno - Ambient 3: Day of Radiance

The best of the ambient series

While all of Brian eno's work is interesting, his own work in the ambien series, while refreshîng, was enver as exciting as this piece; it is ironic that the best album in this series would not be by eno himself. August 5, 2005

Not your grandfather's dulcimer player

This album is fantastic, a great tapestry of minimalist structures or grids of Laraaji's hammered dulcimer. Producer Brian Eno layered many tracks, then applied sonic effects like reverb and delay (and especially at times, a swooping graphic EQ)--that transforms the harmonic profile of Laraaji's dulcimer, at times evoking flutes or an electric guitar, which makes latent melodies emerge from the huge sound. This album had a big influence on U2's guitarist the Edge, with whom Eno worked after this album.
August 26, 2004

Minimalist meditation music

This third album in the "Ambient" series seems definitely influenced by the minimalist movement; quickly-repeated, slightly varied motifs skirled by a very metallic-sounding harp. In contrast, Ambient 1 drifts and seems rather more song-like in its format. I like the concept of minimal music and its almost visual or textural effect created by the slight variations in sound that are built by repetition. So I enjoyed this a lot, but it's not for those who find this type of music stupifyingly dull.

I was excited by the glistening sound of Laraaji's harp in "The Dance". The harp mixed with a percussive sound on some strings or with another instrument, but this percussive sound never overpowers the rhythmic beat of the harp motifs. This work is in three parts, similar sounding, but with variation in dynamics. "Meditation" is more spacey and dreamy, much more what you'd expect from Brian Eno. Deep notes mix with etherial harp, bell and string sounds. In short, if you like minimalist music, you will love this. Otherwise, think twice or hear a sample first. April 10, 2004

...bathing in thousands of bright tones...

Stunning! I don't agree with the people who claim this is the weakest album in the Ambient series. I find this one to be so utterly beautiful and exciting. Day of Radiance is such an appropriate name for this album. Laraaji has a way of constructing complex and fast melodies that yet retain a remarkable sense of space. Melodies within melodies. Higly recommended! October 27, 2003

Healing Music

I really can recommend this album as one of my favourite CD's. The outstanding beauty of this music, the healing and relaxing sound of Laraaji's harp is somehow incompareable. Listen to this music when you soul needs some rest, switch your CD player on "repeat" and let the vibes of these sounds fill you rooms.
No.'s 4+5 are the highlights. August 5, 2002

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