Union, the follow-up to Rasa's stunning debut, Devotion, finds the intriguing duo taking the next logical step by updating traditional Sanskrit and Bengali prayers. These timeless texts are fleshed out with vocalist Kim Wa... more »ters's sensual tones wending round Hans Christian's soulful cello leads, which are in turn complemented by understated keyboards, guitars, drums, and percussion. The album's thematic and emotional center is found in the deeply reverent "Sri Guru." An 11-minute supplication, the composition builds on gently looped vocals and shakers to burst forth as a full band swirl of elegant, sublime sound featuring flute, ambient percussion, and mouth harp. Reveling in textural earthly arrangements, Rasa makes music for the body as well as the spirit. --Paige La Grone« less
Union, the follow-up to Rasa's stunning debut, Devotion, finds the intriguing duo taking the next logical step by updating traditional Sanskrit and Bengali prayers. These timeless texts are fleshed out with vocalist Kim Waters's sensual tones wending round Hans Christian's soulful cello leads, which are in turn complemented by understated keyboards, guitars, drums, and percussion. The album's thematic and emotional center is found in the deeply reverent "Sri Guru." An 11-minute supplication, the composition builds on gently looped vocals and shakers to burst forth as a full band swirl of elegant, sublime sound featuring flute, ambient percussion, and mouth harp. Reveling in textural earthly arrangements, Rasa makes music for the body as well as the spirit. --Paige La Grone
"Equally as beautiful and compelling as Devotion, their first release, Rasa once again weaves an intricate sonic tapestry. This recording absolutely glows with the warm light of an altar candle, an enveloping illumination that wraps one in a sonic embrace. When listening to Union, my soul dances as if it is the gently undulating smoke rising from incense that permeates space with sublime fragrance. Each of the seven tracks on this CD is a prayerful chant of spiritual depth that places us in touch with inner realms of beauty.This is exquisite music. . Kim Waters' divine voice blends perfectly with the sounds and sensibilities of India. Strings, percussion, and wind instruments of the East intertwine with Western keyboard textures and soundscapes. Thus a dance is created that is both sacred and playful, alive and penetrating. The Hearts of Space production team is to be congratulated for a recording of superb quality.I cannot help but notice that this recording was released on September 11th 2001, the same day as the tragic terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The world was not totally engulfed by darkness that day. Many points of illumination were shining brightly. And Union emerges as one of those bursts of light and hope, a testament to the radiance that can shine forth from our hearts out into the world."
As good as Devotion
PamJ | Vermont | 12/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was new to "new age" music when I purchased Rasa's first CD "Devotion." And of all the CD's I own, I kept coming back to that one. I was lucky to stumble across the last copy of "Union" at a local bookstore and I find it to be every bit as good as their first CD. The music is soothing and soulful, and somehow can take you to a different experiental level. I use both CD's in my yoga practice, both privately and in the classes I teach. It is not instrusive and it enhances the meditational aspects of the practice. I recommend it."
Rasa : Sanskrit :: Loreena McKennit : Celtic
S. Brown | St.Louis, Mo. United States | 05/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album does with the traditional holy music of india what Loreena McKennit did with Celtic folk. By which I mean, it takes a traditional genre, adds instrumentation and studio polish, and makes it palatable for popular consumption by a wide audience. Purists may be disgusted, but for the rest of us, the album is a godsend."
Soothing, Lovely & Interesting
tbandd | midwest | 11/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is wonderfully relaxing--great for putting yourself into a meditative mood or winding down at bedtime. Unlike many attempts at "fusion" between different styles (which too often clash), this blend of Western and Hindu/Bengali styles really works. The vocalist has a lovely and pure voice, with good range--great for the exotic scales. The accompanying Indian instruments are lovely, too, and interesting. I should caution that this music is more to RELAX to than to LISTEN to; it's somewhat repetitive, as one would expect from chants. However, to me, there is just enough repetition to bring on a meditative state, but not too much to be boring--there is some variety of melody, rhythm, dynamics (loud/soft), and instrumentation.Additional recommendations: If you like Indian music, I highly recommend Call of the Valley. And if you want an example of another amazingly beautiful fusion of cultures, listen to a song called Mais Filhos de Gandhi, sung by Indian-Brazilian Ana Rita Simonka on her Bossa Nova Delhi CD."
Even better than the last one, if that's possible!
Guardian of the Zen Sea | Looking after the sun and surf | 09/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first cut alone on this CD, "Kabe Hare Bolo" is worth the cost of purchase. Add to that the additional six excellent tracks and you have a real winner here. The first RASA CD, Devotion, was wonderful Hearts of Space-type chant by the incredible vocalist, Kim Waters, combined with fantastic instrumentation and orchestration by Hans Christian. On this CD, these two artists are joined by additional instrumentalists such as Girish Gambra (tablas, udu, shakers, bi-bat, mridangam, kanjira, morcheng, spring drum on all tracks), John Loose (kanjira, triangle, cabusa, maraca, shakers and bells, ghatam, ambient percussion, dumbek, bi-bat, kartals and tamborine on tracks 3,4,6 and 7), Alan Kozlowski (hamsa vina on track 1), Bhima Karma (kartals on track 7), Robert Powell (electric and acoustic guitars on track 3), and the incomparable John Wubbenhorst (bansari flute on track 6). Hans Christian provides the foundation for all the tracks playing cello, sarangi, bells and shakers, frame drum, bass, nyckelharpa, kartals, sitara, harmonium and keyboards and textures. To this mix, add the wonderfully light, yet full voice of Kim Waters on all tracks, singing the chants and providing a serene soundscape. The music is quiet, and medatative, and very lyrical and rich in an understated way. Together, the CD is a delight to listen to from end to end. And, as I mentioned, track 1 is, in itself, a real inspiration. Highly recommend this CD to all."