Union

Rasa

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2001)
• Original Release Date: September 11, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hearts of Space
• ASIN: B00005NG1J
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,731 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite and Uplifting, September 14, 2001

By	Brian Ziegler (Elgin, IL USA) - See all my reviews

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rasa : Sanskrit :: Loreena McKennit : Celtic, May 11, 2002

By	S. Brown (St.Louis, Mo. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as Devotion, December 29, 2001

By	PamJ "VTyogini" (Vermont) - See all my reviews

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.