Customer Reviews

Anahita

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This is a very successful fusion work by classical Indian vocalist Shweta Jhaveri. I have loved it from the first moment I heard it. Jhaveri is an amazing singer and although her art and technique can be even better appreciated in her classical recordings, she shines here. The compositions are beautifully crafted and executed. The violin accompaniment acts like a second voice, doubling that of Jhaveri's. It is Indian fusion music done with great taste. A must have!

Jhaveri is a north-Indian classical singer. She breaks away from the traditional milieu of her art form and ventures into Fateh Ali Khan territory. Electronic ragas!

This album was a beautiful fusion of interesting sounds and moods. She is incredibly talented. Hope she makes more music of this kind. For those of you who are purists, you might want to check out some of her releases under the Biswas label.

There have been many attempts at merging Indian Classical music with Western music, but this CD stands out from the rest. It retains the soul of traditional Indian music, combined with a flavor of Western jazz improvisation, but it goes beyond to become something that is more than either Eastern or Western - it is a unique music from the heart.

The songs are often devotional in nature, and the love and passion is evident in Shweta Jhaveri's amazing and powerful voice. The violin echos and reinforces that voice, while the other musicians weave an subtle texture that complements, but never overwhelms the singer. Drummer Jim Kassis is especially brilliant, as he does not attempt to imitate the traditional Indian thekas that you might hear on tabla, but manages to provide equally intricate, uplifting, yet subtle rhythms which always contribute to the whole.

As stated in the liner notes, the ragas in this work range from meditative and longing through serene, vibrant, and haunting. I find the music is both relaxing and energizing at the same time - something that is all too rare.

I hope these talented musicains come together for another effort in the near future - in the meantime I will continue to wear out this CD! Highly recommended!

There is nothing electronic about this album. It is a beautiful, succesful fusion of "Indian light raga meets jazz" in a tastefully structured way. Ranging from introspective to nostalgic, romantic and blissful, this recording takes you through a variety of emotions and moods and leaves you perfectly satisfied.

This is what jazz is all about---great musicians coming together, challenging each other musically, pushing each other to new heights of ensemble performance, and leaving a grateful fan like me with a recording like this.

In this case, four accomplished San Francisco Bay Area instrumentalists accompany a vocalist trained the north Indian classical tradition. Additionally, each song is composed in a rag format, and is based on a 16-beat rhythm, and I've just told you everything I know about the rag format.

The first track, "Invocation," is a perfect introduction to Jhaveri's vocal prowess. She begins softly, then her voice soars with sudden assured power, then effortlessly slips into a more quiet, delicate, slightly breathy tone, while maintaining remarkable precision in intonation and melody. She's only singing the syllable "ah" to start the song, but the sheer beauty of her voice is riveting.

The second track, "To A Beloved," is the one that completely blew me away and made me fall in love with this record. The instrumental introduction is very strong---too strong, in my opinion, for a jazz vocal piece. But Jhaveri's voice, with its astounding power and grace, is more than up to the task. She truly has an amazing instrument.

Her voice is so powerful I can think of no other comparable vocalist. She reminds me more of a jazz horn player. In fact, I would say that if Miles Davis had ever made an Indian rag record, it would sound something like this record. Miles had the ability to play soft and gentle, and then suddenly take your breath away with his power. Shweta Jhaveri has the same ability, and it is perfectly showcased on this record.

"Anahita" is a modern jazz masterpiece.

I have had this CD since it first came out five years ago and it just grows in power. A sympathetic collaboration between the classical Hindi singer and a modern North American acoustic-electric jazz combo with a psychedelic edge. Spacious and evocative of the seasons, the tracks tingle the spine and allow one to look out the window at the natural world with wonder and awe. Sacred and profane.

After hearing only a few songs from this album, I came to understand where George Harrison got his inspiration to write "Within You and Without You". Schweta's voice is pure and soothing whitch rounds over the dissonant melodic structure that most western music listerners are not used to. If you've never appreciated Indian music, this might be the one that gets you started.

This is an excellent recording combining Shweta's dulcet voice with a western ensemble that accentuates her singing without sounding out of place. This is what true fusion is about: integrating the essentials of Indian classical vocals with a western orchestra at a structural level. The result is a sweet sounding album that lingers on you hours after you have finished listening to it. I am sold on Shweta's talent. I hope she and this group recombine to produce more.

This is a very relaxing album--it's what smooth jazz should be,and more.Shweta Jhaveri adeptly combines classical Indian singing with jazz worth lounging to.This album is best combined with other Indian fusion albums (Putumayo's "Asian Lounge",Ana Rita Simonka's "Bossa Nova Delhi",DJ Cheb I Sabbah's "Shri Durga"&"Krishna Lila")

Highlights-
1)To a Beloved.MOST of this track is on Putumayo's sadly discontinued "Gardens of Eden" compilation.This meditative&atmospheric.
2)Amidst a Mist-Mysterious,flowing.Since the jazz musicians are from San Francisco,it is fitting this song makes one think of the Bay Area fog.
3)To the Spring-A joyful,energetic piece.
4)A nosy dawn-Very touching&beautiful,despite the title's strangeness.

This is a beautiful album for contemplation,meditation,relaxation.

I first heard Shweta Jhaveri on Putumayo's now out-of-print "Gardens of Eden." While "To a Beloved" is in a shortened version on that compilation,I purchased this album&savored the entire song.

"Anahita" is a marvelous mix of Indian classical and smooth jazz;though it has an Eastern flavor,it was recorded in San Francisco with Bay Area jazz musicians."Invocation" opens the album in a devotional mood."To a Beloved" is a lilting,hypnotic love song."Amidst a mist" is mysterious and almost melancholy."To the Spring" is joyous."A Nosy Dawn" is serene and beautiful,despite its odd name.

"Anahita" is perfect for those who enjoy Indian music and smooth jazz!