Indian Chants With A Gospel Rythm
Soul Real | Netherlands | 05/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you want inspirational, devotional music with a great blend of gospel, then this is definately the album for you. Alice does a great job fusing the Gospel mood to devotional Indian chants. "Govinda Jai Jai" has just that; its driving, pulsing rythm is all you need to get you lifted in the spirit. The wonderfully peaceful, even trance-like harp music on "Ganesh" is beautifully evocative, simultaneously stirring the soul, and relaxing the mind - perfect for meditation. A reverberant, beautiful piano piece fronts "Prema Muditha", which then proceeds to pick up the pace bringing an inspirational feeling of upliftment to this chant. If you enjoy the "Hare Krsna" Maha Mantra, and the spirit of Gospel- then you will absolutely love this 4th track. Alice brings such a flavor of joy and upliftment to the Maha Mantra, the Great Mantra, that you can't help but sing along and feel the call of the soul to the Divine. "Om Namah Sivaya" is purely instrumental, lending a very fluid, acid-jazz feeling. Along with some good drumming, and an interesting melody, it is a near-20 minute piece. Overall, this is a great devotional piece, and musical work, therefore I highly recommend this album."
Excellent Alice
jon arnold | Madison,WI USA | 03/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alice made a series of amazing records in the '70's -inc."Universal Consciousness","Lord of Lords","Infinity","World Galaxy","Eternity","Transcendence","Transfiguration" - and this one is as good as any of them.The chants,Side 1 of the original lp,are beautiful and funky,and the last track is a terrific 18 minute duet with her son John,Jr. on drums and Alice on organ.Alice,it seems to me,has never received due credit as a major innovator in jazz organ - her busy,driving style of investigating oblique melodic fragments is totally unique.My advice - any Alice from the '70's,all of which feature her organ playing,are highly recommended.The earlier,pre-organ,cd's on IMPULSE! are good,but not as wonderful as those mentioned above."