New Age, Alternative,
Metaphysical Publication
Aquarius-Atlanta.com

World & New Age Music Reviews
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By Kathryn Sargent, Editor

Ocean of Mercy, by Jaya Lakshmi (Sequoia Records) is an uplifting, spiritual collection of Sanskrit chant, gypsy guitar, tabla and sarod. This is music to soothe your soul and cheer your heart, full of love and devotion. It is said that chanting the sacred names can heal and reshape the world; I can personally testify that chanting sacred names can bring courage and peace in trying times. You might be a bit dubious about Jaya's mixing flamenco guitar with tabla and sarod, but she makes it work beautifully. The intensity of the flamenco guitar, and its graceful arabesques, adds a distinctive flavor to this CD, setting it apart from other chant albums. Ocean of Mercy is a lovely and moving CD.

Another chant album, Ragani: Best of Both Worlds, is distinctive for the rich, velvet voice of Ragani, a kirtan (yoga chant) leader and student of Sri Swami Rama. Accompanied by Michael Kashou, the fretless bass artist from Garbage's platinum CD and by Girish Gambhira, tabla player from Krishna Das' Pilgrim Heart and Live on Earth, Ragani leads call-and-response chants with a chorus. Unlike some kirtan recordings that make up for ragged musicianship with sheer gusto, Best of Both Worlds has excellent production values and musicianship. It is beautiful, gentle, spiritual and traditional. The tabla and Ragani's lovely voice and harmonium are distinctive. Don't miss it!

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