Ram Dass is well known for producing wonderful yoga music albums by artists such as Prabhu Nam Kaur and Harnam. He has also lent his instrumental and vocal talents to the music of Snatam Kaur, Manish Vyas, and Nirinjan Kaur. With such a gift for making music, it was only a matter of time before Ram Dass released his own offering to the yoga music world. On The Alchemist's Prayer, Ram Dass is joined by a stellar cast of musicians who share their talents to create an album that is a joy to listen to.
The Alchemist's Prayer opens with “Monsoon,” whose lyrics come from a traditional Punjabi song written by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The track has a beautiful, folksy feel driven by rhythmic hand clapping and Manish Vyas' wonderful tabla playing. The song sings of the pain of separation from the beloved, and Ram Dass and Manish create that feeling of sweet love and emotional longing masterfully.
“Aap Sahaee Hoa” is one of my favorite tracks by Nirinjan Kaur, so I was really excited to hear her accompany Ram Dass on his version of the mantra. I love the interplay between Nirinjan's voice and the clarinet, and the threads of Manish's voice which all give a meditative depth to the track. “Rakhay Rakhanhar” is another track I was excited for. The strings and guitar make me feel like I'm listening to a wandering bard serenading me, or perhaps a chamber music concert in a Renaissance palace. The longest track on The Alchemist's Prayer, it's sure to transport you to another place and time.
The song “Lullaby” is a beautiful track, combining the vocalizations of Ram Dass with the gentle cello of Hans Christian. The layered harmonies give great richness to this short and sweet track. “Ardas Bhaee (I Lay Me Down)” gives us a taste of Ram Dass' English devotional song writing. I like the pairing of this mantra with the natural imagery in the “I Lay Me Down” section. For me it's a reminder that time spent in nature is a wonderful time for prayer and meditation, and that we can see the face of the Infinite if we pay attention. Moving from the earthly into the cosmic realm, “Sat Narayan” has an incredible instrumental ensemble which includes flute, strings, mandolin, and piano. Starting off light and airy, these instruments contrast with the fullness of sound that builds in the chorusing of “Wahe Guru Wahe Jio.”
The Alchemist's Prayer closes with two version of “Namo Namo.” The closing track “Namo Namo (Sat Nam)” is a very strong finish to the album, with a lot of energy in the mantras. The remixed version softens and relaxes the intensity of the base track. The remix was created by Glenn Main, winner of an international remix competition. All proceeds from the purchase of “NamoNamo – Glenn Main Remix” go to Yoga for Youth, a fantastic organization that brings the teachings of yoga to urban youth.
The Alchemist's Prayer is definitely a mellow album. Ram Dass's voice has a soothing quality, which makes it very easy to listen to. The instrumental accompaniment, which includes warm and cozy clarinet and strings, adds to the relaxed vibe. With vocals by Nirinjan Kaur and Manish Vyas woven throughout the album, the album is perfect for unwinding. It would be a wonderful choice for gentle or medium paced yoga, it creates a wonderful atmosphere for cooking or hanging out, and I could even envision it being played in the background of a healing session such as massage or acupuncture. Whenever or wherever you listen to it, The Alchemist's Prayer deserves a place in every yogis music collection. Find out more about Ram Dass, and purchase The Alchemist's Prayer on www.spiritvoyage.com.
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