CD Review: Sky of the Heart
Following on the heels of the melodic Diamonds in the Sun, Girish has released a delicious, toe-tapping, heart-warming new album in Sky of the Heart. After playing with numerous artists,Girish burst onto the kirtan scene in 2004 with his first album Reveal, offering a fresh, contemporary take on mantra with songs that have become part of the global yoga soundtrack.
Sky of the Heart, Girish’s sixth album, offers the listener a gently sumptuous series of songs that are prayers. The music is magnetic and mesmerizing with a variety of styles: reggae, country, gospel, even a bit of mellow rap. All the songs share a sweetness and poignancy expressing the heart of a seasoned and nuanced artist. The sequence, lyrics, and compositions convey a tender and gracious acceptance of the measured joy and gentle heartbreaks a mature soul has lived.
As usual, Girish’s new release features an all-star cast of stellar kirtan artists, including C.C. White, Donna De Lory, Wah!, Tina Malia, and Benjy Wertheimer, as well as world music luminaries including Carl R. Young from Spearhead and the New Orleans Horns.
There are too many standout tracks to list here, yet my current favorite is the luminous ballad to the beloved, “Ra Ma Da Sa.” The entire album is an invitation to chant, dance, and be happy. Pick it up and start singing now!
