CD Review: Avasa & Matthew Love's 'The Road'

Avasa & Matthew Love
The Road
White Swan Records

Husband and wife-duo, Avasa & Matthew Love, present us with a gracious album of inner peace led by catchy pop hooks and spacious thematic constructions. There is a contemporary vein running throughout the album, but there also is a historical foundation with yoga-inspired melodies and vocalizations that transcend time, space, and genre categorization. Avasa & Matthew lead vocals, guitar, and harmonium, while others perform on tabla, esraj, flute, violin, mandolin, bass, and percussion. There are supporting vocals by a number of artists, including Jason Mraz. As with many other White Swan Recordings, The Road follows in a similar path to Deva Premal, Miten, Krishna Das, and Liquid Bloom. The symphonic choruses and sweet vocal lines are repeated in parts to add another layer of bliss and satisfaction come over any listener within earshot. The glorious vocals and catchy hooks will grab hold of any listener and never let go. Essentially, The Road is very, very good. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Deva Premal & Miten with Manose's 'Mantras For Life'

Deva Premal & Miten with Manose
Mantras For Life
White Swan Records

The soothing sounds of Sanskrit mantras are eloquently and meditatively-captured throughout Mantras For Life. Deva Premal is the lead vocalist and tanpura player. However, Miten is also a vocalist and guitarist. Manose adds vocals and Bansuri flute to the mix for a truly thought-provoking and calming production. There are additional instruments, including cello, keyboards, santoor, harmonium, tabla, drums, bass, wurlitzer, fender rhodes, and other vocals. The hypnotic and swirling melodies and rhythms encapsulates the human spirit in an accessible and serene manner that is unsurpassed in most of today's music. There are a dozen tracks, which are mostly mantras. The repetitive nature of the songs ingrains a spiritual presence throughout the deliveries. The liner notes include Sanskrit and English descriptions. Anyone interested in kirtan, yoga, chant music, and hypnotic, trance-inducing compositions will love the music of Deva Premal, Miten, and Manose. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Deva Premal & Miten with Manose's 'A Deeper Light'

Deva Premal & Miten with Manose
A Deeper  Light
White Swan Records

The dub-centric, yoga-focused, Sanskrit mantras of Deva Premal & Miten have been known for years. However, the addition of Manose--a Nepali Bansuri flute master--and keyboardist, Maneesh de Moor--takes the languid, soul-stirring music to new dimensions. There are even classical influences with violin and viola, thanks to Richard Moody. The sputtering, dry notes of the Bansuri flute eloquently play off the swishy, electronic undertones of the keyboard. However, the sounds are very tantric and sensual with none of the tunes connoting a hurried or frenzied state of being. Moreover, the sounds are not rooted exclusively in samples, loops, or showy electronics. The eight long tracks spans one-hour in length. There are certain themes with each song, such as 'innocence' and 'devotion'. The Sanskrit anthems are perfect for relaxing, dreaming, and believing in a higher human cause. This is perfect for fans of laid-back music with a purpose--a purpose of being in harmony with each other. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'World Yoga'

Various Artists
World Yoga
Putumayo

Anyone familiar with the relaxing qualities of yoga will be familiar with the music that goes along with it. Our friends at Putumayo have put together an incredible collection of soothing, relaxing, and creative music for yoga--or other relaxing ventures. The music is culled from a variety of musicians, including Sona Jobarteh, Quentin Dujardin, Deva Premal & Miten, DJ Drez, Ara Dinkjian, Geoffrey Oryema, Kelsang Chukie Tethong, Stevin McNamara, and others. The quiet, reflective, and mood-quenching music incorporates scintillating guitar work, vocal harmonies, transcendental arrangements, and contemporary spiritual influences that astound listeners and rejuvenate souls. With musicians from diverse regions as Gambia, Wales, Portugal, Mali, Armenia, Sweden, Tibet, Uganda, and others, World Yoga is truly a global collective of musical styles for the yoga genre. Overall, the music is meditative, vocal, instrumental, and serene. In fact, I cannot stop listening to it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Deva Premal's 'Password'

Deva Premal
Password
Sounds True

Deva is an incredible kirtan vocalist with a pop-music side that is still steeped in the yogic traditions that made her popular years ago. Together with Manose, a Nepalese bansuri flute master and her partner, Miten, who is a vocalist and guitarist, Deva knows how to create inspirational and meditative music that is quite pleasing. The music contains a variety of instruments, including slide guitar, bass, piano, cello, keyboards, drums, congas, bata, and various guitars. The backing vocals on “Sri Nanda-Nandanastakam” are especially inviting. At any rate, fans of Deva’s previous work on Dakshina in 2005 may notice a bit of a departure. Still, the music may not be completely traditional kirtan, but its contemporary feel is what makes Password shine. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Various Artists - 'Omega Ecstatic Chant' [2 CD]

Various Artists
Omega Ecstatic Chant [2 CD]
White Swan Records

The 2-CD live set of contemporary kirtan musicians from the Omega Spring Ecstatic Chant session earlier in 2011 is showcased on the latest White Swan Records release. The ecstatic release is more energized than other devotional music--possibly due to the live concert environment. However, the music is still kirtan performed from a variety of artists in the genre, including Krishna Das, Deva Premal, Miten, Snatam Kaur, Wah!, Shyamdas, Carioca, Jai Uttal, and Vishal Vaid. The music is steeped in South Asian musical traditions in a contemporary setting with yoga grooves as smooth as yogurt. The female and male vocals are effervescent and always inspirational. The two-hour set of music features a who's-who in the world of yoga pop and kirtan music. Fans of yoga music and kirtan will need to acquire this one. It does your soul good. Recommended tracks: All of them. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists - 'Yoga Lounge'

Various Artists

Yoga Lounge

White Swan Records

Ready for a magic yoga mat ride of danceable energy? Then direct your ears to White Swan Records' Yoga Lounge. This new compilation features a collection of twelve tracks and remixes of Deva Premal, Karsh Kale, Zeb, Adham Shaikh, Jai Uttal, Vishal Vaid, DJ Alsultany, Midival Punditz, Huun Huur Tu, and others. All tracks are compiled by DJ Alsultany. There are some more meditative moments on the album, but the majority of the music is more contemporary with modern arrangements and a mix of traditional instruments, too. A mix of dance, techno, electronica, and pop elements define Yoga Lounge. Of course, various ethnic components related to South Asia are present. The soundscapes are somewhat reminiscent of a suspense film soundtrack or score. At any rate, Yoga Lounge is cool enough for everyone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Deva's 'Mantras For Precarious Times'

Deva Premal

Mantras For Precarious Times

Prabhu Music

With a focus on mantras, Deva Premal shares the power of the Vedic scriptures by unleashing physical energies within the body by awakening the energy channels (nadis) within us all. There are 108 nadis that meet in the heart. As a result, each of the seven mantras are chanted 108 times. Besides Deva's soothing voice and tanpura playing, she is joined by Manose on Bansuri flute, Miten on voice, and Kamal on keyboard and bells. The relaxing sounds and moods are a perfect invitation for yoga sessions. Moreover, any kind of de-stressing should involve Deva's mantras. The toll of the bells, airy sounds of the flute, and the Sanskrit lyrics of Deva's inspirational mantras are ideal for any person seeking saneness. The length of the tracks at eight minutes provides just enough time to master the recitations. Anyone interested in New Age, yoga, Buddhist, or chant music will find Mantras For Precarious Times to be an enthralling and informative part of their daily routine. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Gyuto Monks of Tibet and Deva Premal

Deva Premal & The Gyuto Monks of Tibet

Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times

Prabhu Music

Born in Germany, Deva Premal has become a preeminent vocalist of relaxation and meditative music. The addition of The Gyuto Monks of Tibet add beautiful chants of spiritual richness and vivid colours seemingly from beyond this Earth. The opening invocation by The Gyuto Monks of Tibet leads into "Compassion", which includes Deva's repeated recitation of the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum'. "Purification" opens with chanting in tune with throat-singing. However, the chanting fades as Deva repeats 'Om Bena Satto Hung' throughout. "Buddha" is another fine song that incoporates a flute. The absence of drums and guitars provides a stripped-down album of earthy chants with simplistic instrumentation that does not detract from the spiritual significance of each track. In order to keep things lively, the addition of keyboards, cello, Bansuri and Native American flutes accompany the compositions. The rather New Age connotations and world chanting allow for a very mesmerizing production that is sure to fill the soul with solitude and gratitude. 10 tracks in all. Praise Deva and The Gyuto Monks of Tibet for their work. All sales benefit the Gyuto Monastery, Phowa Project, and Veggiyana. ~ Matthew Forss