While an assortment of artists sing in wordless phrases dictated by their muses, Kim Waters and Hans Christian of Rasa turn to ancient Indian devotional texts for vocal inspiration. With accompaniment from cello, sarangi (... more »Indian violin), and sitara, the duo puts forth an exceptional world fusion unheard of in the New Age genre. What's more, there isn't a song on Devotion that falters in form, technique, or ecstasy. The music comes from an undisturbed place, shared with listeners without sentimentality or pretense. --Karen K. Hugg« less
While an assortment of artists sing in wordless phrases dictated by their muses, Kim Waters and Hans Christian of Rasa turn to ancient Indian devotional texts for vocal inspiration. With accompaniment from cello, sarangi (Indian violin), and sitara, the duo puts forth an exceptional world fusion unheard of in the New Age genre. What's more, there isn't a song on Devotion that falters in form, technique, or ecstasy. The music comes from an undisturbed place, shared with listeners without sentimentality or pretense. --Karen K. Hugg
"A generally solid debut CD from the group Rasa. "Devotion" is easy on the ears, and probably well- suited to meditation or relaxation activities. Lead singer Kim Waters has a wonderfully melodic voice, and Hans Christian is a well-known musician in the genre. While the songs on the CD are all quality recordings, professionally done, what is missing are any up-tempo pieces as might be found on a CD by Dead Can Dance or Vas, and as a result the songs tend to blend one into the other after a while. Also because of the sameness of the songs, there's little differentiation in the emotions evoked by the music. So while I like the songs that are on here quite a bit, it's a CD you have to be in a certain mood for to appreciate fully."
Lovely, lyrical, and lack-luster
Kevin Conare | Philadelphia, PA USA | 04/06/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Kim Water's voice is very pretty. Hans Christian's instrumentals are wonderfully subtle and create the real East-West fusion here. Though I can feel their devotion, I am much less enthusiastic than many of the other reviewers.Bengali Vaishnava songs, the inspiration for these songs, are known for ecstatic devotion, intense longing, and/or deep pathos. You won't find that here. Instead, a meditative exotic atmosphere replaces the soul's passionate call to the divine. Very spiritual, but not capturing the "rasa" I would have expected.Most of these melodies in this album are based on the melodies and interpretations of that the Radha Krishna Temple(s) and George Harrison produced around 1970. These are all really great. I am a little surprised that none of the editors' comments acknowledge the source material and inspiration for these songs."
A Divine Expression of Sweet Heavenly bliss
Matthew Ellis | Tulsa, OK United States | 11/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Divine piece of musical sweetness is more than a spiritual masterpiece, but an arrangment of the most ancient of Holy songs of God. It is only natural for a person who's listening to it's melodies to be captivated and expierence the greatest of spiritual peace.Rasa's mediums, Kim Waters & Hans Christian, not only present these Divine Lelas (stories) they smooth these already magical songs into a new symphony, never expressed in Eastern music of India. Fantasticly Kim's voice, soring like a celestrial spirit, recants the ancient and divine names of God, the sanskrit kirtan of the Song Divine. Sanskrit, the most divine of all languages, passed down eternally, is the original Divine Language spoken by all the great Saints and Yogi's. It's magical power possesses the sweet bliss that God is and this album opens your heart and mind to hear that Intoxicating love that God is singing eternally.Let this album be a part of your spiritual devotion, drown in it's angelic song, it's potential for meditations, yoga, and daily devotions, is endless. The most sweetest of music from India!"
Amazon's New Age album of the year in 2000!
Veggiechiliqueen | 11/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'd never heard of Rasa before reading Amazon.com's top picks for last year. "Devotion" was the winner for New Age. I was surprised to see that the record label of Rasa was Hearts of Space; I have been listening to Hearts of Space CDs for over ten years. I rushed out to buy Rasa and it has not left my CD player since. Mystic, stirring, spiritual, relaxing. "Devotion" speaks to something in me that other New Age/Indian CDs don't. More than traditional music, this is a spiritual journey through India.Kim Waters' voice is entrancing, reminding me a bit of Loreena McKennitt occasionally. Her voice comes in smooth waves that crescendo with the music. Kim does not, however, sing with the modulation of the Indian style, rather with her own brand of intonation. I wouldn't mistake her for a classically trained Indian singer, but she has a very fine voice that suits the music perfectly.The instruments are a blend of Indian traditional and synthesizers/modern percussion. Rasa is my favourite New Age group. Their new CD "Union" was released a month or two ago and if possible it's even better than "Devotion." Their music is a blend of fantasy, spirituality, mysticism, and the sounds of India."
Outstanding collection inspired by India's Vedic culture.
Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 05/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music created by Rasa in this outstanding collection was inspired by the Ancient Vedic culture of India. Singer Kim Waters and multi-instrumentalist Hans Christian collaborate to present sacred Sanskrit chants and Bengali devotional songs. These lush contemporary arrangements combine traditions and modern elements that evoke a mood of mystical prayer and contemplation within all who listen to these enchanting rhythms and hauntingly beautiful vocals. The selections comprising Devotion include: Gopinatha (7:54); Bgajahu Re Mana (7:27); Arati (6:37); Ganesha Sharanam (8:55); Mama Mandire (7:41); Jiv Jago (8:00); Govinda Jaya Jaya (5:02); Jaya Radha Madhava (8:26). Total Time 60:02"