Customer Reviews

Monkey

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

 

 

I was in a restaurant in Santa Fe and became aware of a strange sound coming from the sound system... that sound of Jai Uttal. I immediately purchased the album and have since purchased all that have been released by Uttal. I'm amazed at his blending of East and West sounds. But most of all, I enjoy the heart-opening sounds produced by the Pagan Love Orchestra. Buy every album! You won't regret it! D. Lee

Mr. Uttal's "Monkey" is most successful in its thoughtful, at times deeply moving lyrics. The mood is reminscent of master poet Rabindrath Tagore, sensitive and inclusive. The music is a delight to hear, complex and often innovative. It is a somewhat too facile to be a masterpiece, but lovers of Indian music will certainly find this a delight to hear.

I first heard Jai Uttal in a hippie store. It was the song Sita Ram off of the Kirtan album, it was playing over the speakers. The song was the most blissful and euphoric thing I had ever heard. I had to ask who it was and they said jai uttal. I HAD to go back the next day and get the album. Unfortunately it wasnt out yet. I I asked what do you have of him? I then picked up this album. It took a little bit to realize the true beauty of this album, but I will never forget. It's like Eastern music and Jazz, with some meditative properties thrown in. The lyrics are increadible on the songs done in english. Like the song "Looking for my Heaven," because everyone is. The music is awesome, I still get really into the album after having it for years and listening to it many times. It will forever be one of my favorite albums. I am a 19 year old who likes prog rock alot. But this album is for anyone who has a flavor for things world. Anyone from the 85 year old grandfather to the 50 year old dad to the teenage hip kat will enjoy this.

This album led me to his other cds which are very different from this, but all very good. His others are more directed to the 18 to 20 some crowd. Check out any of them because, there is one fact that is tried and true, and I will defend it, JAI UTTAL IS A BADASS.

Mr. Uttal's "Monkey" is most successful in its thoughtful, at times deeply moving lyrics. The mood is reminscent of master poet Rabindrath Tagore, sensitive and inclusive. The music is a delight to hear, complex and often innovative. It is a somewhat too facile to be a masterpiece, but lovers of Indian music will certainly find this a delight to hear.

I bought this cd because "Music for Yoga and Other Joys" by Jai and Ben is just hands down the best yoga/Indian Music cd I have ever heard. I go to a yoga class 3 times a week and that cd is just the best I've ever heard.

Now on to this cd. The sound is *completely* different. Much more uptempo and contemporary music. Some people may like that for its own right but I bought it because I thought it would be similar to the other cd I love so much. It is not. If you want to buy this for that reason, dont. I bought all his CD's and when I find one as good as Music for Yoga and Other Joys I will let you know as soon as they get here, but this is a completely different style of music. Almost doesnt sound like the same person.

For example godvina (I believe that is the correct name) is on both cd's, and on Monkey (which was released earlier I believe) it sounds like a poor remake or at least an unrefined idea. On Music for Yoga and Other Joys, it is a 25 minute long entrancing masterpiece. You can somewhat hear similarities but these are just two completely different styles of music although they are by the same person.

In closing, if you are impulse buying this because of Music for Yoga and Other Joys is the greatest Yoga/Indian music cd ever. Dont, it is not the same thing, not even close. The only reason it gets 3 stars is because this is the same guy who did Music for Yoga and Other Joys. Based on this cd alone it would probably be one star.