Playlist: Laurence Vanay

A quick spin through a surprising discography

Here’s a companion to this week’s Echo Locator — a short tour of projects involving Jacqueline Thibault, who recorded a series of gorgeous and sophisticated works under the name Laurence Vanay. The music is organized around Thibault’s keyboards — she uses the Hammond organ for crisp percussive chording and delicate colorations — and emphasizes group interplay and elaboration over intricate compositional detours. There’s commonality between Vanay’s work and the early albums of Renassiance and Soft Machine, but really, it lives in its own distinct airspace. Enjoy!