There is nothing in the world quite like the voice of Jai Uttal. It’s the sound of heartbreak and sweetness and pure devotion. After spending his career blending bhajan with Western jazz, pop, reggae, and rock, he is now releasing Return to Shiva Station, a pared-down remake of his classic 1997 album. In the original Shiva Station, Jai’s voice was set against a richly layered musical tapestry created by his 11-piece Pagan Love Orchestra. In this version, it’s essentially Jai and a guitar. It’s personal, tender, and accessible.
Tracks like the “Guru Brahma” invocation are naked and earthy. “Malkouns (Night on the Ganges)” is dreamy, hypnotic, and finishes with a crackly, bluesy, “om namoh narayana.” Perhaps the sweetest moment on the album is when he brings it home with “Jaya Jagadambe (She Who Tears Apart Thought)” as he accompanies himself on banjo. I imagine drinking lemonade on a porch on a warm southern night in the moonlight—just replace the name “Susannah” with “Durge.”
Return to Shiva Station is artfully produced by Ben Leinbach, who also contributes bass, keyboard, percussion, and backup vocals. Prajna Vieira lends her angelic voice to the landscape. Jai lays down guitar, banjo, cigar-box, melodica, harmonium, ektar, and glockenspiel. Completing the lineup are Jose Neto (Jai’s teacher) on guitar, Yoed Nit on cello, and Timothy White on sitar.
