Title: Breath of the Heart
Item#: T7159
Category: Sacred / Chant
In the pantheon of Indian chanters, it's doubtful that you will find one more illustrious and esteemed than Krishna Das. With each kirtan, he inspires people around the world to trade material desires for spiritual enlightenment. BREATH OF THE HEART features Krishna Das' tried and true blend of music - Indian tablas and harmonium mixed together with Western instrumentation like guitar, cello and violin. The list of supporting artists reads like a whose who of contemporary Indian music: Wah! on harmonium, Benjy Wertheimer on Esraj, Lili Haydn on violin, Ty Burhoe on tabla, Steve Gorn on bamboo flute, among others. The results of this ensemble are quite fruitful - BREATH OF THE HEART is a harmonically pleasing, life-affirming offering of chant music. With its natural rhythmic tendencies and a penchant for lyricism the album, works as an ideal primer for the kirtan novice and an uplifting excursion for the seasoned fan.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Artist:: KRISHNA DAS
Title: Door of Faith
Item#:T7172
Category:Sacred / Chant
Few artists possess the skill to deftly mix instruments and influences from Asian and Western classical traditions in such a way that both purists and fusionists can be satisfied with the results. Krishna Das can; he's done it before and he does it again with DOOR OF FAITH. Krishna Das achieves a level of intimacy on this recording that he has never reached before. Listeners will feel as if they're experiencing something private, personal and utterly sacred. Rather than call and response kirtans this time around, the album features original compositions, Sanskrit chants and prayers primarily sung by the artist alone, with backing on harmonium, esraj, cello, organ, trumpet and violin. Of note is "Mere Guru Dev," a duet featuring his daughter.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
The music of Krishna Das is the culmination of over twenty-five years of living and traveling in India. With PILGRIM HEART, the artist presents music that remains true to the dignified traditions of Bhatki Yoga, yet at the same time incorporates contemporary Western grooves to provide a form of Indian chant that is universally accessible. Sting is featured on two of the twelve tracks, including the truly one-of-a-kind, American 50's-pop influenced "Ring Song." With drums, sitar, guitars, vocals and synthesizer, this music evokes the diverse spiritual life of the people, land and culture of India. All of the songs have elaborate arrangements, which present an extraordinary blend of Eastern and Western elements.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
If you were to discuss chief innovators in the realm of Eastern and Western fusion, no doubt Jai Uttal's name would be one of the first to be mentioned. Peppering his chants with elements of various other cultures, his diverse compositions have helped to close the gap between the disparate musical cultures of America and Asia. With KIRTAN!, Uttal uses his music to teach listeners the fundamentals of the kirtan, a call-and-response style Sanskrit prayer to the divine. Disc 1 features songs that shed light onto the history of devotional chanting. These feature clear enunciation of the vowels/syllables for ease of learning. Disc 2 features Uttal singing only the base chants. This is a great album for finding healing and enlightenment through music.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Indian Sub Continent
Standing at the epicenter of the Asian fusion trend, Jai Uttal continues his unique hybridization of Asian tradition and American innovation. SHIVA STATION, co-produced by groove guru Bill Laswell, is less India-centered than some of his other outings. The album has a strong jazz flair (especially prominent on the opener "Guru Brahma") that mellows the more structured Asian elements, giving it a chilled, lounge feel. Uttal performs on vocals, singing/chanting in both English and Sanskrit. His gravelly voice is an ideal complement for the varied instrumental textures of the Pagan Love Orchestra. Among the songs on this diverse set are "Malkouns (A Night on the Ganges)" a passionate rock song with heavy electric guitars, the subdued "Rama Raghava" and the title track, "Shiva Station (Namah Shivaya)" which combines chant with reggae rhythms.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Indian Sub Continent
Multi-instrumentalist Prem Joshua and keyboardist Maneesh De Moor unite to create a unique fusion of Eastern and Western sensibilities with MUDRA. The word "mudra" is a Sanskrit term that refers to symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Mudras are often incorporated into classic dances of India, where they are used as a method of expression and channeling energy. This is exactly where Joshua's album comes into play. The music featured here has a contemporary, rhythmic quality that blends the essence of Indian instrumentation (sitar, santoor, djembe, bamboo flutes) with modern dance and trip-hop beats. It's a perfect way for exploring trance dance and other spiritual forms of movement.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Indian Sub Continent
"Yatri" is a Sanskrit word that refers to one embarking on a pilgrimage. Given that Prem Joshua's musical career could be summed up as one continuous musical journey since he embraced Indian music a couple of decades back, the title is very fitting. YATRI is an album of acoustic-based instrumentation, on which traditional Indian instruments are lightly enhanced with a coat of studio gloss. The music was designed both to call to the wanderer within and as an expression of his love for India. It succeeds on both fronts, enamoring the listener with the mystical sounds of India. In addition to flutes and sitar, the album features Sanskrit singing, jazz textures, tabla-based rhythms and synthesized atmosphere.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
CHANTS OF INDIA is a bit of a departure for celebrated sitarist Ravi Shankar. With this album Shankar employs an ensemble of musicians who weave together threads from both Eastern and Western cultures into one acoustic-oriented cross-cultural tapestry. Devotional Sanskrit and Vedic chants (sung by a chorus) rise in the forefront, as instruments like the violin, cello, bamboo flute and the veena provide the mystical atmosphere that surrounds them. This is a great album for introducing newcomers to the ancient and quite fascinating world of Indian chant music - the arrangements are smooth, the vocals easy on the ears and the instrumentation enchanting. George Harrison produced the album and provided some background accompaniment.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
Jaya Lakshmi is best known as one third of the worldbeat trio Lost at Last, where her sinuous vocals were the centerpiece of the group's trippy trancescapes. With her debut solo release OCEAN OF MERCY, Lakshmi heads in a more acoustic direction, toning down the synthesizers in favor of undulating tabla beats, the drone of the harmonium and light flamenco guitar strumming. The songs feature a variety of sacred Vedic chants, beautifully sung in Sanskrit with intoxicating devotion. In addition, some of the electronic Lost at Last style beats appear from time to time, making this a great selection for trance dancing and other healing work.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
If you want to hear dynamic chanting at its most ecstatic, Dave Stringer's MALA is the disc for you. Stylistically similar to his album JAPA, which featured call and response kirtans in an East/West fusion setting, MALA takes things further with more powerful singing and a stronger use of Eastern instrumentation. The album's opening track alone - a powerhouse rendition of the chant "Govinda Jaya Jaya," will move you in more ways than one with the passionate singing of Stringer and crew backed by a symphony of Asian sounds and pop/rock elements. The album calms after that, but is no less intoxicating in its devotional beauty. Featuring special guests Donna DeLory, Lili Haydn, Girish and Domonic Dean Breaux, this is a must for anyone with a taste for contemporary chant music.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
CD KRISHNA is an album you cannot listen to only once, it digs into your mind and penetrates your consciousness, becoming unforgettable. Filled with unrelenting enthusiasm, Wah! takes spiritual chanting and gives it a pop mentality, making it catchy and hypnotic. Light unobtrusive beats keep the pace with tabla, flutes, saxophone and bass providing background. Wah!'s voice, reminiscent of Natalie Merchant (with an added clarity), is the focus. It takes center stage, drawing your attention away from all other elements of the music, allowing you to drift along, hooked on her simplistic vocals. Wah! frequently tours with Krishna Das and has opened for Hole frontwoman Courtney Love.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
Western musical styles and Eastern spirituality come together seamlessly on Wah's JAI JAI JAI - an intoxicating album of chants themed after love, wisdom and praise. The serene sounds of light harmonium, pennywhistle, violin, percussion and guitar comprise the flowing backdrops on which Wah!'s call-and-response style Sanskrit mantras float airily, like whispers on the wind. "Shree Krishna," which slowly builds in intensity as the song progresses, is a great example of joyous, uplifting chanting that has universal appeal. Another highlight is "Om Mani Padme Hum" - a beautiful song whose use of whistle, guitar and Wah!'s ethereal vocals almost make it sound Celtic. This is a great addition to Wah!'s collection of albums - a must for fans of devotional chant.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
Girish presents ancient Sanskrit mantras with a modern spin on his debut album for Spirit Voyage Music. What sets this album apart from other chant-based releases is the choice of backdrops. The music has a strong pop/rock element to it, somewhat comparable to the style of the Dave Matthews Band. Guitars, keyboards, bass, saxophone and other Western staples are used liberally throughout the recording alongside harmonium, ektar and some other Asian oriented instruments. Even the arrangements are reminiscent to the catchy hooks of Western music. Girish has a voice that is smooth and deep with a faint bit of grit. His take on these mantras is fresh and unique; in other words, a "must hear" for anyone with a taste for contemporary flavored chant.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
Recorded live during Kali Mandir's annual "Kali Puja Festival" (and later enhanced in the studio), this collection of kirtan chants is a grand expression of love and dedication to the universal mother. The album features worship-oriented chants from a variety of Eastern and Western artists, including Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das, Indian Baul singer Paban Das Baul, Bengali devotional singer Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta and many others. Being kirtan-based, the chants are call/response by nature and each builds over the course of its running time to a rousing climax. A sense of intoxicating joy and blissful exuberance permeates all aspects of this recording, making the listener feel energized and filled with divine love.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
Traditional devotional mantras and modern technology collide on this celebration of the divine from Bhakti. Named after the dynamic yoga form, Bhakti is an ensemble that includes instrumental masters Chinmaya Dunster (keyboards), Manish Vyas (tabla) and Shruti Divyam (vocals), along with a host of other musicians on instruments like the bamboo flute, violin, accordion and electric guitar. Together, they create an ecstatic yoga-centric production that stimulates the chakras and promotes inner balance and a sense of reconnection to the source of creation.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
This haunting, mystical album of chant is themed after the goddess Devi - the "Divine Mother" of Hindu mythology. Recognized for her qualities of unconditional guidance, love and protection, those chanting in the name of the Divine Mother find themselves awakened to compassion and opened to her healing power. This album features the ethereal chanting of German singer Ananda, whose breathy vocals resonate through these invocations and prayers, as well as the instrumentation and production skills of Craig Pruess. The highlight of the album is the 40-minute "Lalitha Ashotram," a chant based on the sacred Sanskrit text of the 108 names of the Mother Divine.
For orders and enquiries, please send us an
Category: Sacred / Chant
Deva Premal continues to entrance listeners with her rich, velvety voice on DAKSHINA, another album of intensely beautiful mantras and chants from the popular songstress. Staying true to form, each track seems to literally flow into the next, as Premal's voice is bathed in a mystical atmosphere of harmonium, light tabla beats, synthesizer ambiance and other regional instruments. The album is both ethereal and warmly serene (it's not surprising that she's been referred to as the "Enya of Mantra"…), and coupled with the repetitive and meditative nature of Premal's chants, the has an amazingly hypnotic effect. Among the mantras she tackles are the ever popular "Om Namah Shivaya" as well as "Brahma Nandam" and "Om Hraum."
For orders and enquiries, please send us an