If someone forced me to say my favorite yoga music artist out loud, Girish's name would probably come out. I cried when I saw him lead kirtan live. When I talked to him afterward, it was all I could do to hold it together. When it comes to his music, I am like those screaming, fainting Elvis and Beatles fans back in the day. So I must admit that I was really worried when I heard he was going to release an album of remixes. All of my favorite tracks...but changed? I was incredibly concerned, but my tentative listen quickly turned into exuberant rocking out. REMIXED is a fantastic album, taking the best of Girish and putting it to creative and fun beats.
The first song I ever heard by Girish was “Ganapati,” fitting since it is a song about Ganesh. So the first track I chose to listen to on REMIXED was “Ganapati – Elephunk Remix.” It feels like the remix took the most beautiful, richest line of mantra from the original track and made use of it here. The mix is fantastic, and none of the elements overpower any other. The vocals, melody, and beats all come together seamlessly.
The opening sounds of “Jaya Hanuman – Nirvana Monkey Remix” make me think of monkeys chattering and screeching in the jungle. What a perfect way to invoke the energy of Hanuman! Melodically, this remix stays very close to the original track, from Girish's recent album Diamonds in the Sun. Where it differs is in the powerful bass and percussion, which seem to have more depth and weight. This track definitely cuts right to the heart, and you'll feel it in your body.
“Kali Durge – Kingston Remix” has a great, old school reggae feel. It's a mellow version of what I imagine kirtan would feel like if Toots and the Maytals started singing mantras! Another slowed down track, which would make for a very electronically inspired savasana, is “Diamonds in the Sun – Omstep Remix.” The electronic beats and accents, plus Girish's soothing voice give this track a mysterious vibe. The tempo does kick up in a couple of places, but overall these two tracks are the calmest on an album full of energetic mixes!
As easy as it would be to gush all day about each track on REMIXED, in the interest of brevity let me only mention one more. “Shiva Shambo – Ethno Remix” is the rare remix track that some might find better than the original! It's another track that keeps the vocals true to the original, but really fleshes out the instrumentals and beats. There are a lot of interesting instrumentals and percussive flourishes that make the original seem almost bare, or a capella, by comparison.
With the assistance of djs and mixers such as Mac Quayle, DJ Drez, Desert Dwellers, and Shujat Ali Khan, REMIXED definitely stands with albums like Kundalini Remix and Elephant Powered Remixes as a fun and energetic take on yoga music and sacred mantras. While not the most traditionally meditative of listening experiences, REMIXED is a great album for upbeat yoga practice, creative movement, working, and driving around town. The clarity of the mantras and the killer beats will energize and uplift the space around you, and get you up and dancing before you know it! To find out more about Girish, and to buy REMIXED, visit www.spiritvoyage.com today!
If you want to hear the original versions of these remixed tracks check out these albums by Girish:
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