Lapa has just released his first solo LP project, Spirit Vessel, an intricate body of work that shows off his skill as an instrumentalist and composer that blends fluidly into downtempo electronica. The man behind the violin is Ilaya Goldberg, whom for quite a few years has been a part of Emancipator’s Ensemble with playing on albums such as most recent Baralku and Seven Seas. Goldberg has switched things up and has grabbed the spotlight to showcase his production skills, with the Ensemble to back him up on tour. For this LP, he partnered with long time percussionist collaborator Cedar Miller and multi-instrumentalist and singer Random Rab. Goldberg spent the better part of a year and a half making this home grown album by recording with a plethora of instruments such as drums and percussion, electric bass, violin, charango, mandolin, vibraphone and synthesizers.
With Spirit Vessel, you catch yourself falling in and out of each track as if you are being transported from world to world. The LP creeps in with the properly named first track, “45th Parallel”, that creates the sensation like you’re waking up for the first time in this reality Lapa has created. Synths flutter in and out and almost sound like birds chirping. He then slips in some downtempo beats and the mood is set. He gets more playful with percussion and showcases his violin training with “Dropping Bows” and “Empty Space“. We also got some chill, grooving numbers like “Talk to the Bass” where the melody and Cedar’s drumset rhythms flow together so smoothly.
The nine track LP is a beautifully layered unveiling of what Lapa is capable of. He really knows how to blend trip-hop drums, atmospheric effects, and ambient electronic harmonies. Lapa is also on tour with the Ensemble, but this time featuring Spirit Vessel.
Check out the dates below if you’re looking to get away for a few hours with this talented musician and the Emancipator Ensemble.
2/14 – Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay
2/15 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity
2/16 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
2/17 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
2/18 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
2/20 – St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
2/21 – Nashville, TN @ Exit In
2/22 – Charlotte, NC @ Underground
2/23 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
2/24 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
3/15 – San Diego, CA @ Music Box
3/16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre
3/17 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
3/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Venue
3/30 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
3/31 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
Connect with Lapa:
https://www.facebook.com/thisislapa
https://mobile.twitter.com/thisislapa
https://soundcloud.com/thisislapa
https://www.instagram.com/thisislapa
http://lapamusic.com
Share On
