Customer Reviews

Devotion

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A generally solid debut CD from the group Rasa. "Devotion" is easy on the ears, and probably well- suited to meditation or relaxation activities. Lead singer Kim Waters has a wonderfully melodic voice, and Hans Christian is a well-known musician in the genre. While the songs on the CD are all quality recordings, professionally done, what is missing are any up-tempo pieces as might be found on a CD by Dead Can Dance or Vas, and as a result the songs tend to blend one into the other after a while. Also because of the sameness of the songs, there's little differentiation in the emotions evoked by the music. So while I like the songs that are on here quite a bit, it's a CD you have to be in a certain mood for to appreciate fully.

Kim Water's voice is very pretty. Hans Christian's instrumentals are wonderfully subtle and create the real East-West fusion here. Though I can feel their devotion, I am much less enthusiastic than many of the other reviewers.

Bengali Vaishnava songs, the inspiration for these songs, are known for ecstatic devotion, intense longing, and/or deep pathos. You won't find that here. Instead, a meditative exotic atmosphere replaces the soul's passionate call to the divine. Very spiritual, but not capturing the "rasa" I would have expected.

Most of these melodies in this album are based on the melodies and interpretations of that the Radha Krishna Temple(s) and George Harrison produced around 1970. These are all really great. I am a little surprised that none of the editors' comments acknowledge the source material and inspiration for these songs.

I'd never heard of Rasa before reading Amazon.com's top picks for last year. "Devotion" was the winner for New Age. I was surprised to see that the record label of Rasa was Hearts of Space; I have been listening to Hearts of Space CDs for over ten years.

I rushed out to buy Rasa and it has not left my CD player since. Mystic, stirring, spiritual, relaxing. "Devotion" speaks to something in me that other New Age/Indian CDs don't. More than traditional music, this is a spiritual journey through India.

Kim Waters' voice is entrancing, reminding me a bit of Loreena McKennitt occasionally. Her voice comes in smooth waves that crescendo with the music. Kim does not, however, sing with the modulation of the Indian style, rather with her own brand of intonation. I wouldn't mistake her for a classically trained Indian singer, but she has a very fine voice that suits the music perfectly.The instruments are a blend of Indian traditional and synthesizers/modern percussion.

Rasa is my favourite New Age group. Their new CD "Union" was released a month or two ago and if possible it's even better than "Devotion." Their music is a blend of fantasy, spirituality, mysticism, and the sounds of India.

The music created by Rasa in this outstanding collection was inspired by the Ancient Vedic culture of India. Singer Kim Waters and multi-instrumentalist Hans Christian collaborate to present sacred Sanskrit chants and Bengali devotional songs. These lush contemporary arrangements combine traditions and modern elements that evoke a mood of mystical prayer and contemplation within all who listen to these enchanting rhythms and hauntingly beautiful vocals. The selections comprising Devotion include: Gopinatha (7:54); Bgajahu Re Mana (7:27); Arati (6:37); Ganesha Sharanam (8:55); Mama Mandire (7:41); Jiv Jago (8:00); Govinda Jaya Jaya (5:02); Jaya Radha Madhava (8:26). Total Time 60:02

This Divine piece of musical sweetness is more than a spiritual masterpiece, but an arrangment of the most ancient of Holy songs of God. It is only natural for a person who's listening to it's melodies to be captivated and expierence the greatest of spiritual peace.

Rasa's mediums, Kim Waters & Hans Christian, not only present these Divine Lelas (stories) they smooth these already magical songs into a new symphony, never expressed in Eastern music of India. Fantasticly Kim's voice, soring like a celestrial spirit, recants the ancient and divine names of God, the sanskrit kirtan of the Song Divine. Sanskrit, the most divine of all languages, passed down eternally, is the original Divine Language spoken by all the great Saints and Yogi's. It's magical power possesses the sweet bliss that God is and this album opens your heart and mind to hear that Intoxicating love that God is singing eternally.

Let this album be a part of your spiritual devotion, drown in it's angelic song, it's potential for meditations, yoga, and daily devotions, is endless. The most sweetest of music from India!

"Rasa" is a Sanskrit word meaning the essence of any impression, the soul's emotional fulfillment, or Divine love. All of those elements seem intertwined in the luscious, hypnotic stylings of singer Kim Waters and multi-instrumentalist Hans Christian. Most of the lyrics on "Union" are prayers and devotional love songs by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a famous Indian writer of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Thakura's words are set to slow, simple melodies that are lovingly crooned by the clear-voiced Waters, often harmonizing with herself through the magic of multi-track recording. Christian and numerous other musicians provide mysterious, gently exotic accompaniments with instruments from both east and west, including cello, sarangi, nyckelharpa, keyboards, guitars, tablas, bansuri flute, sitar, harmonium and kartals. Guest artists include percussionist Greg Ellis of the group Vas and vocalist/percussionist Krishna Das. Speaking of artists, Kim Waters is also an illustrator, and her intricate line drawings grace both the liner notes and the CD itself. "Devotion" is the most laid back of Rasa's albums, with a repetitive rather than a directional feel to most of the arrangements, but yet immersed in an air of pregnant mystery that holds a listener's attention better than most music of the meditational genre. Rasa continues their musical journey in two subsequent albums, "Union" and "Devotion". Other intriguing New Age artists who explore the world of sacred chant are Chloe Goodchild and Singh Kaur.

This is the only CD I play when I want to be surrounded by serenity and peace. The soothing, soft, reverent voice of Kim Waters, accompanied by the Indian instruments, sitar, sarangi, and modern cello, played by Hans Christian, evoke a sense of eternity and infinity which sends me into a meditative state ... sooner than any other music I own. I love to repeat the chants with Kim, although my voice is no where near as beautiful as hers. For me, it is a stretch to reach the soprano notes, but vocalizing helps me focus and stay with the mood. Sometimes when the music overpowers her singing and I am unsure of the pronunciation of the Sanskrit words - I hum the melody. One sugggestion for future CDs is, please print the words for each track in the liner notes. Chanting helps to maintain a sense of being "one with the music" ... it would help to pronounce the words correctly. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

This is a marvelous musical release! The combination of delicate, yet complex music with beautiful vocals is hard to resist. There is not a bad cut on the CD. I find this CD much more compelling than any other music of this genre, and I've heard a lot. The musicians are all first-rate and it shows in the quality of the music. I've previously heard Hans Christian playing stringed instruments on other CDs, but he out does himself on this one. The vocals are positively haunting and inspirational. This is a real keeper! One of the best of the year so far!

A prior review eloquently put by Karen K. Hugg says what I would have, were I more scholarly. To add a just bit ... "Rasa" (sanskit) means the "taste" or "essence" of any impression - especially religious. Stephen Hill (HOS) has said that this classic devotional music comes from the heart. It reminds me of an impecable bordeaux - because of it's clarity, balance and pure delivery. In 16th c. India this musical tradition represented devotion, love and humility and was considered a salvation for the masses. I have listened to this album for what seems like thousands of times and never tire of it. Perhaps it is the lack of pretense, it's simplicity and the incredible warm rendering of the vocals by Kim Waters which allows me to hear things in the recording differently each time I listen to it. Put another way - I adore this album. No one would be disappointed with this purchase.

This remarkable CD takes delves into the virtually unknown prayers of the great 18th century mystic Vaishnava saint, Bhaktivinode Thakura. As Hildegard of Bingen's music was hidden for centuries, so has Bhaktivinode Thakura prayers and music.

Now these two talented artists--Kim Murray and Hans Christian--have artfully brought this music to the attention of the new century. Please, Kim and Hans, continue in this way to do many more CD's along this line.

Buy this beautifully crafted CD; I highly recommend it. You might end up listening to it daily. Rasa is simply sublime music.