Spirit Voyage

Evolving past his previous work, CD Thunder Love displays Jai Uttal`s skill not only as a vocalist and interpreter of Sanskrit mantras, but also his ability as an English-speaking songwriter. Performing on guitars, banjo, bass, dotar, harmonium, keyboards and harmonica, among many other instruments, Uttal fuses elements of Americana, roots, jazz, Brazilian and electronic music to create his own unique world sound.

Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world music community. His eclectic East meets-West sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement. The new album Thunder Love is Uttal`s tenth studio album and his first major release since his Grammy-nominated 2002 record Mondo Rama. In the last few years, chanting has brought him around North America and Europe, Israel, Fiji, Brazil, and India. Jai adds, "World music is music from everywhere. Music that creates bridges. Music that unites hearts and cultures. Music that brings peace."

`I`d put this disc in a class with Byrne and Eno`s My Life in the Bush of Ghosts or Paul Simon`s Graceland. It`s like you`ve got the whole universe onto one CD... you`ve found a way to subsume the vast ocean of North Indian devotional music into the equally vast continent of Brazilian rhythms.` - Alan di Perna (Guitar World, Yoga Journal)

Jai Uttal

Jai Uttal was born in New York city. When he was 19, he moved to California and became a student of famous Sarod player Ali Akbar Khan. He took traditional voice training and learnt sarod. Later, he traveled to India and studied yoga under Neem Karoli Baba. Indian Baul music deeply inspired him and he settled with the baul singers of Bengal. His association with the baul singers made him learn the process of communicating through music and this helped him immensely. With passing time, Jai Uttal became a popular musician, singer and songwriter. Jai Uttal's music is used in the practice of yoga. He has his own orchestra known as "Pagan Love Orchestra". Jai Uttal's recordings have elements of jazz music, reggae music and rock music. His music often feature powerful horn arrangements. Jai Uttal's music pieces are not only influenced by Baul but also have strong influence of kirtan and bhajan.