Prayer: Multi Cultural Journey of Spirit
Embracing the notion that all spiritual paths lead to the same source,Prayeris a gathering of voices and music raised in assorted forms of worship, supplication, and praise to a greater essence. Assembled and handsomely presented byDean and Dudley Evensonon behalf of their cosmically inclined Soundings of the Planet label,Prayeris a wide-ranging compilation of artists who profess some affiliation to their designated religious perspective. Rebbe Soul opens the disc with a part-contemporary, part-traditional Jewish plea for "peace between the sons of Issac and the sons of Ishmael," followed by an organic Hindu groove evoked on sitar and percussion by vocalistJai Uttal, and then an ethereal take on a Sikh perspective, sung in resonant, angelic fashion byLorellei. The Savae Vocal Ensemble uses the Inca language Quechua to offer up its intriguing Gregorian-like chant, gently underscored by tribal shakers. Islam, Krishna, Buddhism, Christianity, and Native American thoughts are also expressed, concluding with "Green Tara Mantra," involving a disembodied-sounding chant coming from the Dalai Lama. "Eclectic" hardly seems an adequate label for this collection, but the word represents a fair appraisal of a far-reaching, generally subdued recording likely to appeal to like-minded seekers and world-music collectors. The enhanced CD offers additional details on the concept and participating artists.--Terry Wood