Jordan De La Sierra Gymnosphere

GYMNOSPHERE MUSIC BY JORDAN DE LA SIERRA IS A MIND-IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

JORDAN DE LA SIERRA

GYMNOSPHERE: SONG OF THE ROSE

This album has long been considered a cult classic (there were so few vinyl copies when it came out in early 1977, that most people who have heard it have only heard it on a cassette, or a copy of a copy of a copy of a cassette). Now here it is remastered and available in digital for the first time. This album represents an early avant-garde exploration, the roots of new age and one of the first acoustic-ambient projects -- all in one recording!

The music is solo piano improvisation, very common in today’s world of new age music, but there are some differences. First, the piano was re-tuned (throwing out the traditional European note system). Second, the studio tapes were played back on speakers within the rock walls of San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral and re-recorded to capture the natural reverb from that environment (sort of like Paul Horn recording his solo flute inside the Taj Mahal to get that natural echo there). And third, this music is all about sound. If you are expecting short, catchy ditties, go elsewhere. These four pieces are each in the 25-minute range.

This music is atmospheric and hypnotic. Yes, it is repetitive in places (that is part of the point). While all music is supposed to move the listener, this music is trying to do that in a different way than usual, which is why it fits in so well with contemporary new age music (this music does not sound dated). The music is supposed to pummel the senses, elevate the mind, kick-start the spirit, and work as balm on the soul. Those who try to “follow” the music will waste a lot of energy and probably get frustrated. This is a mind-immersion experience.