CD Review: Wah!'s 'Opening To Bliss'

Wah!
Opening To Bliss
Sounds True

The music of Wah! is rich with bliss and steeped in meditative qualities inherent in yoga practices and kirtan performances. However, Wah! tones it down a bit and reflects on mostly previously-released material from Saravasana, Saravasana 2, and Saravasana 3 albums. The music is highly-meditative and soaring with glistening whistles, assorted percussion, string drones, and electronic keyboards. Anyone familiar with Wah! will notice her vocal inflections right away. Her previous release, Maa (2010), was a more upbeat yoga pop collection, which is not what Opening To Bliss tries to be. This is meditative music with some throat-singing and an eclectic mix of peaceful instrumentation that is sure to astound everyone who listens to it. There are eleven total tracks that run nearly one hour and ten minutes long. Most of the music is in Sanskrit. Don't miss the bliss with Wah! ~ 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: Donna De Lory's 'Remixes'

Donna De Lory

Remixes

White Swan Records

Donna De Lory releases a mix of material from her previous albums, The Lover and the Beloved, Sky Is Open, and Sanctuary. However, the songs are remixed without losing any of the musical integrity or charisma. The contemporary electronica elements border on heavenly with soaring vocals, crystalline percussion, and airy arrangements. The songs are a mix of English and Sanskrit lyrical mantras with some characteristic Indian percussion and the modern effects of Wah!, Girish, Go-Ray, Krishna Das, and others. The yoga beats contain pop-infusions even purists will love. Eleven different tracks or remixes with familiar titles, such as 'Jai Ma,' 'Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu,' and 'Om Namah Shivaya' showcase some of Donna's best vocal displays. For a truly introspective and spiritual journey, Donna De Lory knows how to evoke transcendental tendencies with music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Wah! - The Goddess of Yoga-Pop!

Wah!

Maa

Wah Music

Wah! is the legal first name of the band's leading vocalist, bassist, and harmonium player. The music of Maa is inspired by Hindu Tantrism with Sanskrit and English vocals, modern beats, and Tantric imagery, including the Sri Yantra on the album's cover. A frequent performer at Yoga festivals across the country, Wah! performs anything but sleepy, spaced-out rhythms and chants. This is yoga pop at it's best. Wah!'s voice is somewhere between Sade and Sarah McLachlan. Wah!'s music ranges from the opening rap of "Shakti" and "Pahimam", the R&B-like grooves of "Shanti", "Gang Ma", and "Love Holding Love", New Age-soul of "Jagatambe", the bluesy-pop of "Stay In The Love", to the softer "Om Sri Matre". The music borders on dance, downtempo, and roots-pop. If you are looking for music with inner and outer beauty, then listen to the goddess of Yoga pop. Your soul will thank you kindly. The liner notes include Sanskrit and English lyrics with song descriptions. ~ Matthew Forss