Search - Rasa :: Rasa in Concert

Early Rasa favorites, expanded and enhanced!

Brianna Neal | USA | 09/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This live performance features expanded versions of four songs from Rasa's debut album, "Union," three from their follow up CD, "Devotion," and one new selection done in the same style: "Prabhupada Padma" (try saying that fast three times!). There is no cheering audience to disrupt the music (the recording seems to have taken place at various yoga venues, so perhaps the listeners were busy practicing or meditating... or maybe they were just listening with quiet respect). There are also no guest musicians credited--only the core duo of vocalist Kim Waters and bowed string player Hans Christian. Nonetheless, their intensely hypnotic sound, enhanced by samples and live loops, is as full and rich as ever. The world percussion is deep-voiced and intricate, and particularly striking are the appealing improvisations in the form of intros, interludes and extensions that distinguish these versions of the songs from those on the original studio albums. After recording this live album for Narada, Rasa went on to New Earth Records, for which they have currently released two CDs, "Shelter" and "Temple of Love." Compare and contrast their work with other artists such as Krishna Das, Singh Kaur and Vas."