CD Review: Kiran Ahluwalia's 'Sanata: Stillness'

Kiran Ahluwalia
Sanata: Stillness
Magenta

Indo-Canadian, Kiran Ahluwalia, ventures into uncharted territory with the swirling, bluesy, guitar riffs characteristic of North Africa's Saharan Desert region. However, South Asian delicacies are still apparent throughout the album, but the instrumental guitar, harmonium, and drums arouse a North African spirit laced with curry-scented morsels called songs. The breezy and bluesy style of "Hayat" resembles a North African anthem spearheaded with vocals of a South Asian origin, but "Sanata" contains similar influences . "Jaane Na" is more aligned with Indian jazz and pop with drifting melodies and floating vocals. "Lament" is a South Asian jazz tune with elements of rock, fusion, experimentation, and contemporary leanings in a mostly instrumental display. All of the music is created from acoustic/electric guitars, bass, tabla, organ, harmonium, drums, and vibraphone. Overall, Kiran challenges music origins and presents them in a very endearing package. Liner notes are in English, Hindi/Punjabi, and French.

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: 9Bach's 'Tincian'

9Bach
Tincian
Real World

Founded by singer Lisa Jen and guitarist Martin Hoyland, 9Bach takes the world by storm with inventive, contemporary Welsh music. The group's name is a play on words using the numeral "9" as "nain" and "bach" together to connote a cozy, warm frame of reference. Whether it is cozy, inviting, or infectious, 9Bach knows how to create meaningful sounds and melodies with equally-compelling vocals. The modern effort brings together folk, alternative, pop, and electronic elements to form a cohesive type of music that is memorable and refreshing. The diverse influences are what makes the music interesting and catchy. There is almost an ambient or new age feel to some of the songs. The Welsh vocals are unique and beautiful in the same manner. Some of the melodies are reminiscent of one of Hooverphonic's modern works. There are ten songs in all. There are no disappointments here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Pooja Goswami Pavan's 'How Shall I Say?'

Pooja Goswami Pavan
How Shall I Say?
Innova

A prominent educator, composer, and scholar of Hindustani classical music in Minnesota, USA, Pooja Goswami Pavan present us with seven long vocal tracks. Each track is rich with North Indian classical influences and instrumentation that includes tabla, harmonium, sarangi, and tanpura. The strings are dreamy, trance-inducing, and highly-textured. The vocals reverberate with classical veins and a commanding voice. The tabla blurts out thuds that are fast and precise. The droning harmonium and sarangi fill in the melodies with a brighter tone overall. The vocals nor instrumentation are particularly catchy, but that is not the point of Hindustani music. The music should be enjoyed for its arrangements, vocals, and sounds that represent hundreds of years of practice and performance. The album runs over one-hour, which is perfect for anyone trying to immerse oneself in Hindustani musical culture. Give yourself a dose of Hindustani reality with Dr. Pooja Goswami Pavan's How Shall I Say?. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Temple Bhajan Band's 'Like A Lotus'

Temple Bhajan Band
Like A Lotus
Self-Release

The California-based, Temple Bhajan Band, creates moving and religious kirtan chants and songs with a numerous cast of vocalists and instrumentalists. Some of the instruments include cello, bass, flute, tamboura, sitar, mrdunga drum, cajon, ektar, harmonium, guitar, and sax. The drone of the harmonium and meandering drum beats combine with the repetitious chants to form a memorable and awe-inspiring musical journey. There are nine tracks in all, but two of them are spoken word tracks with minimal instrumentation. The other vocal tracks include, Nam Pankaja, Jaya Radhe, He Govinda, Hare Krishna 1, Haraye Nama Krishna, Jaya Jaya Sita Rama, and Hare Krishna 2. The songs are rather traditional with many of the songs familiar to those into kirtan, yoga, or chant music. The songs are complex and highly-textured with sounds from South Asia and lyrics in English and Sanskrit. Like A Lotus is a remarkable album for the inner soul seeking outward happiness. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Arto Jarvela & Kaivama's Self-Titled Release

Arto Jarvela & Kaivama
Arto Jarvela & Kaivama
Oart Musick

The Finnish-American folk duo, Kaivama, which is comprised of Sara Pajunen on fiddle and vocals and Jonathan Rundman on acoustic guitar, harmonium, mandolin, piano and vocals, is joined by Finnish-native, Arto Jarvela. Arto is a skilled fiddler, singofiddler, and esseharpaist. There are thirteen tracks that are mostly instrumental, but the vocals are as spritely as the fiery fiddling. The drone of the harmonium and uppity ambiance of the fiddle brings together two unifying sounds of splendid brilliance and folkish flare. Fans of folk music, Finnish music, and Scandinavian roots music will love the sweeping melodies and upbeat rhythms throughout the album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Maria Misgeld's 'Romans i moll'

Maria Misgeld
Romans i moll
Misgeld Music

Romans i moll (Romance in B minor) is the latest release by Sweden's Maria Misgeld. The angelic voice is beautiful and entrancing no matter what key it is in. This album contains limited instrumentation, but that does not detract from the musical qualities of the compositions. Maria's vocals are accompanied by Olle Lindvall on nylon acoustic guitar; Olof Misgeld on fiddle and viola; and Arne Forsen on harmonium. The traditional songs reflect a truly, Scandinavian presence without the addition of drums, rock tunes, or dance music. The mostly Swedish tunes are also on the same album with Finnish and Norwegian tunes. Inspired by historical places throughout Sweden, Maria sings sweet melodies and tunes with the exuberance of fellow countrywomen, Emma Hardelin and Jenny Wilhelms. Steeped in folk traditions, Romans i moll sets the new standard for Swedish folk music today. You will love it! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Triakel's 'Ulrikas minne Visor fran Frostviken'

Triakel
Ulrikas minne Visor fran Frostviken
Westpark Music

Sweden's most talented and beautiful vocalist, Emma Hardelin, lends her vocals and fiddle-playing on her latest release. Inspired by the music and folk traditions of Frostviken, Sweden, Ulrikkas minne... is a glorious album of folk fiddling with a dash of harmonium, bass, and guest vocals. The folk traditions are similar in style to Triakel's earlier releases; yet are a far cry from the amped-up, Nordic folk-rock of Emma's earlier Garmarna days. However, a new Garmarna release would be welcome in the near future, but that is a discussion for another day. The Swedish fiddling is happy, free, and spritely. Emma's vocals shine, too. Anyone interested in Scandinavian folk fiddling traditions will find solace in Triakel's new fifteen-track release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Dave Dale & Nadaji Rocks Out on 'Mantra Rocks'

Dave Dale & Nadaji

Mantra Rocks

White Swan Records

The modern yoga rock genre seems to be growing with the likes of Wah!, MC Yogi, Lokah, Go-Ray, Krishna Das, and others. Now you can add Dave Dale & Nadaji to the mantra mix. Mantra Rocks is a soul-stirring, harmonious journey with blissful melodies, vocals, and instruments. Dave plays guitar, bass, percussion, and electronic programming, while Nadaji is the harmonium master and vocalist. As a whole, Mantra Rocks seems to be more structured and focused than other recordings. Furthermore, most of the songs are four to seven minutes in length, which provides enough of a variety to entertain the listener without fatigue. Whether it is New Age, rock, pop, meditational, or world music, Mantra Rocks is the pulse of the Eastern devotional lifeblood. Eight tracks showcase a beautiful set of music that transcends conformity with a healthy blend of catchy and infectious songs for this world...and the next! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kalidas' 'Crest Jewel of Devotion'

Kalidas

Crest Jewel of Devotion

Self-Release

For meditative explorations of the Far East, one must not look any further than California-based, kirtan singer and instrumentalist, Kalidas. Kalidas is named for a servant of Kali, which is a goddess that represents a destruction of the ego in the Hindu tradition. Kalidas' kirtan singing is in Sanskrit and includes special guest vocalist, Beth Searcey. Instrumental accompaniment is provided by Kalidas' harmonium and synthesizer, but also the djembe drum. A chant-lovers paradise, Kalidas' soothing vocals resonate nicely with the simplistic instrumentation and melodies. The chant verses stick with you long after the tracks ends. Eleven tracks are included, but the last two tracks are not listed in the liner notes, because they are hidden tracks of "Durge" and "Kali Durge". Other fine tracks include "Ganapati", "Jai Ambe I", "Govinda", and "Jai Ma". Crest Jewel of Devotion is a fine recording for anyone seeking musical transcendence and relaxation. ~ 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

CD Review: Swamy Haridhos & Party

Swamy Haridhos & Party
Classical Bhajans
Country & Eastern

Recorded in 1968 in Bombay, Swamy Haridhos & Party performs devotional music in the classical bhajan traditions. A bhajan is simply any type of Indian devotional song, which may include kirtan, mantra, raga, tala, and dhrupad forms. Classical Bhajans features twenty-one songs with Swamy on vocals, M. Bhagvatar on harmonium, P.S. Devarajan on mridangam, K. Shivakumar on violin, and K.V. Ramani on tabla. Notably, the recording was produced by the founder of the Country & Eastern label, Bengt Berger. Swamy sings in the Dakshina Bharatha Sampradaya Bhajan tradition, which is indigenous to Southern India. The ecstatic vocals and musical compositions vary in length from under one-minute ("Mandare Mule") to nearly nine minutes ("Gurumurthi Pada Mule"). The basis for the music relies upon ancestral links of religious and devotional themes and deities. The seemingly frenzied rhythms and call-and-response vocals interspersed with the accordion-like drone of the harmonium and punchy tabla and mridangam remind one of Sufi ensembles. Unfortunately, Swamy Haridhos died in the Ganges River on a trip to the Himalayas in 1994. Fortunately, Swamy's music will live on for future generations. For fans of Indian folk, religious, and devotional music, Swamy Haridhos and his ensemble are a worthy addition to any collection. ~ Matthew Forss