Joy of Life

Karunesh | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real Music
• ASIN: B000ION6UE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,711 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #95 in Music > New Age > Meditation

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Upon hearing the sacred qualities in Zen Breakfast, it comes as no surprise that Karunesh's natural talent for musical expression was initially nurtured in a spiritual environment. The music of Zen Breakfast draws upon sounds from ancient spiritual and religious traditions in ways that speak to the deep-felt longing in each of us for spiritual connection. It was during five years that Karunesh lived in an ashram in Germany that he had the opportunity to learn from and play together with musicians from cultures around the world. Music was a vital part of the mystical experience being pursued and where Karunesh (Sanskrit for "compassion") says he developed the ability to weave different styles and feelings together into a living symbiosis - a symbiosis carried by his own very unique and personal "melodies from the heart."

Karunesh was born in 1956 in Cologne, Germany. Although he had been drawn to music as a child and played in bands as a teen, he chose to study graphic design as a career. After attaining his degree, the path did not feel right for him and as sometimes happens to prompt us of a critical need for a change in direction, Karunesh was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. For two weeks, he was suspended between life and death, and this experience sparked the beginning of his spiritual path. In 1979 he made his first journey to India and began to follow his heart.

In 1984 Karunesh released his first album "Sounds of the Heart," an album that quickly became a classic in the new age genre. More albums followed. With 450,000 albums sold to date, Karunesh has become established as one of the best-known artists in the genre.

Karunesh has lived in Maui, Hawaii, since 1992, bathed in the healing warmth and fragrances of the tropics. From this island's feminine embrace, he creates music that holds a beautiful, sacred and healing resonance for those who listen. It was over breakfast one morning in Maui that company president Terence Yallop, with his background of Taoist philosophy and t'ai chi, and Karunesh, musician, sat down to talk about their hopes and dreams. From this meeting their creative collaboration was formed and Zen Breakfast conceived. Nirvana Café, Karunesh's second album for Real Music and another tasty sonic treat, released in 2002 and Call of the Mystic was released in 2005. All 3 albums have achieved top positions on Billboard's New Age Chart.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Joy of Karunesh, December 23, 2006

By 

Daiho - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Joy of Life (Audio CD)

A collection of placid world-fusion grooves redolent of India, perfect for winding down and opening up. Similar in style to 2004's Call of the Mystic, Joy of Life finds German-born producer and multi-instrumentalist Karunesh slowing things down just a bit, reining in some of the synthesizers and electronic beats, and giving more space to the acoustic performers. Among those featured are fellow spiritual travelers from the occident, Govi and Chinmaya Dunster, who bring their skills with the sarod and sitar to some of the album's more upbeat tracks. On hand from the Call of the Mystic sessions is violinist Avinash, as well as Bikram, the bansuri player whose plaintive and at times playful flute is the central voice in these recordings. Captured in Karunesh's Hawaiian studio, The Joy of Life is a quiet album radiating warmth, comfort, and peace, and will be appreciated by those who favor a touch of spice in their ambient/newage music.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Stirring, March 27, 2007

By 

Sita Halliburton "Sita" (SF, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joy of Life (Audio CD)

Listening to Karunesh's "Joy of Life" is a soul-stirring experience. Each cut is an intricate blend of haunting vocals, violin, guitar and subtle ethereal percussion dancing beautifully with Karunesh's masterful devotional flute melodies. Appropriately titled, this is spiritual "jammin'" at its best. Inspiring.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy of Lfe - Karunesh, September 15, 2007

By 

R. Thng "Rick" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joy of Life (Audio CD)

Beautiful music!. Takes you on a journey and I dont seem to get tired of it. Great combination of Sitar, Indian Violin, haunting voice and drums. Must listen if you like East Indian theme.