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Union
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Price: $6.49
Price subject to change!
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To view Amazon.com's best price click on the above link. Please note that you are under no obligation to buy. If you decide to add your selection of "Union" to your Amazon shopping cart. You may then return to CD Nature.com to shop for additional New Age Music or continue shopping at Amazon.com.
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0025041140720
Label: Hearts of Space
Manufacturer: Hearts of Space
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Hearts of Space
Release Date: 2001-09-11
Studio: Hearts of Space
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Customer reviews of Union
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Cool stuff!
Comment: Rasa takes a satisfying step forward in their musical growth in this, my favorite of their albums so far, offering collaborations that are at once relaxing and compelling. The gentle meditational meanderings of their debut album, "Devotion", have evolved here into a deeper, more beat-driven style. Retained, however, are the foundations of their signature sound--Kim Waters' melodic Sanskrit chants supported by Hans Christian's exotic improvisations on cello, sarangi, nyckelharpa and synthesizer. Layered expertly into the instrumentals in ever-developing layers of complexity are the stylings of numerous other artists as well: Girish Gambira on tabla, udu, mridangam, spring drum and morcheng; John Loose on ghatam, kartals, kanjira, cabasa, maracca, triangles, shakers, hi-hat and tambourine; John Wubbenhorst on bansuri flute; Alan Kozlowski on bamsa vina, Bhima Karma on kartals, and vocalist Yamuna Devi. Don't ask me what most of those instruments are, but you get the general idea--Rasa's rich, full fusion sound is heavily influenced by traditional Indian music, and to very pleasing effect. Notable tracks on "Union" include the sensual "Hari Haraye", in which Waters' soothing voice winds sinuously over itself in overdubs while Christian's sarangi wails a delicate, microtonal descant; "Sri Guru", a two-part musical epic featuring the lovely Bansuri flute; and the vocal duet "Govindam", which builds in speed and intensity to end at fever pitch before fading out in a peaceful coda. Rasa's next album, similar in style to this one is "Shelter". For another take on the blending of Sanskrit chant with modern western melodies, you might enjoy the work of Krishna Das. To sample more traditional Indian music, try the recordings of the great sitar player, Ravi Shankar, or his daughter Anoushka.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: lovely, lyrical, and lack-luster
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Soothing, Lovely & Interesting
Comment: This is wonderfully relaxing--great for putting yourself into a meditative mood or winding down at bedtime. Unlike many attempts at "fusion" between different styles (which too often clash), this blend of Western and Hindu/Bengali styles really works. The vocalist has a lovely and pure voice, with good range--great for the exotic scales. The accompanying Indian instruments are lovely, too, and interesting. I should caution that this music is more to RELAX to than to LISTEN to; it's somewhat repetitive, as one would expect from chants. However, to me, there is just enough repetition to bring on a meditative state, but not too much to be boring--there is some variety of melody, rhythm, dynamics (loud/soft), and instrumentation. Additional recommendations: If you like Indian music, I highly recommend Call of the Valley. And if you want an example of another amazingly beautiful fusion of cultures, listen to a song called Mais Filhos de Gandhi, sung by Indian-Brazilian Ana Rita Simonka on her Bossa Nova Delhi CD.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Pretty voices, nice music, but........
Comment: I liked the cd the first time I listened, but the more I listen, the more the songs all sound the same. The music sounded great, I just think they should get a little more creative.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This CD helps with inner truth...
Comment: I bought this CD only a couple of weeks ago and I have since played it over and over again. I heard Rasa's other CD while receiving energy work. I wanted to purchase that and the store I went to only had this one. I will be purchasing the other one soon, but this one helps me to go to a place within myself that only a few other CD's do.....Even my teenage daughter was immediately taken with this CD and also asked to hear it over and over again. I highly recommend it.
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Editorial Reviews:
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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
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