I think I can safely say that David Franklin’s Music for Ketamine is a one-of-a-kind album! I think David can explain its purpose best:

“Music for Ketamine" is a collection of 13 songs and soundscapes, and it may be the first album ever created as a full sonic journey for therapeutic ketamine sessions. It includes various instruments and found sounds, conceptualized and created to be a special auditory trip.”

Again quoting David Franklin: “And of course, before taking any drug, please consult with your healthcare team. Thanks!!!”

Inspiration for the album includes David’s career as a psychotherapist in the SF Bay Area, his training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), his love for creating soundtracks for dance companies, and his recent graduation from the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program.

Music for Ketamine is David’s twelfth full-length album over a span of 37 years. On this one, he plays a wide variety of instruments including pianos, guitars, flutes, drums, hand-pan and harmonium as well as vocals and found-sounds including birds, insects and his cat purring! It’s very much a “trippy” album - even without ketamine! - and all thirteen tracks are very different from each other.

Music for Ketamine begins with “When Silence Learns to Speak,” a mostly-piano piece that starts out (and ends) as a pensive solo before adding harmonium accompaniment that comes and goes throughout the rest of the piece. Very introspective and rather dark, it’s a fascinating start! “Mycelium Highway” begins with layered wordless vocals that create a mysterious echoing effect. Drums enter with a driving beat along with some electronic effects. About halfway into the piece, the drums take the lead along with some synth instruments and the vocals. They all melt into a floating ambient effect for the last minute or so of the piece. “Everything and Nothing” begins with a slow bell-like pattern that runs throughout the piece along with the sounds of birds - very soothing and serene. Gradually, more ambient sounds are added including some that are a bit more chaotic. “Figure Painting” returns to solo piano layered with some keyboard effects - simple but very poignant and soothing - a favorite! The gentle and relaxed “Sylver’s Theme” features guitars and flute (Native American, I think) - beautiful! Even the title for “Carry Wood, Chop Water” is intriguing! Played on a 1940’s toy piano and hand percussion along with David’s grand piano, flute and what I think are synth effects, the piece evolves slowly, but is fascinating throughout - also a favorite. “The Longest Night” and “Firecat!” are both very ambient and “spacey,” but “Firecat!” also features the sound of David’s cat, Stripes, purring! “Silver Spirit Dancers” is a beautiful Native American-style piece for flutes and hand drum - simple and haunting. “The Foggiest Idea” is somewhat more cinematic with electronic instrumentation and lots of deep bass sounds along with what could be wolves or coyotes howling in the background. Ambient for the first half of the piece, it gradually becomes somewhat more melodic and rhythmic, moving slowly and mysteriously. “Finger Painting,” a piano solo, expresses the innocence and simple joy of making a mess. Just don’t finger-paint and then go play the piano! “Thelongtale,” a piano solo, makes great use of reverb to create a feeling of vast open-space and solitude. The uplifting “Song for Living” closes the album with piano, birdsongs and feelings of encouragement and optimism.

I’ve really enjoyed my time with Music for Ketamine! And no, I didn’t take any drugs before or during listening to the music! The album can be streamed and/or downloaded on Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes and BandCamp. It is also on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. Check it out!