Product Description

Ancient Spirit (Kirtan Cafe, Vol. II) captures listeners with full-length, richly woven kirtan songs (yoga chants). From the producers of the largest independent and ongoing kirtan scene in the US, this kirtan CD offers beautiful vocals, a sea of chanters, and rich world instrumentation that bring to life the mantras of India. Following their award-winning debut album (Best of Both Worlds), and based upon the sacred kirtan chants of India, this Ancient Spirit CD was released as a tribute to Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas.

Track Listing

1. Prayer of Harmony 3:54;
2. Jaya Ganesha 12:35;
3. Hare Krishna Govinda 14:07;
4. Durga Durga 17:42;
5. Sri Krishna 13:14;
6. Krishna Govinda 14:12;

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89021 in Music
• Released on: 2006-08-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Review
"Ragani, who has grown to become one of the nation's leading kirtan chanters, proves her worth with this exquisite collection of mantras... The recording provides a wonderful atmosphere for spiritual journeys and growth. Besides the smooth waves of chant brought forth by the gentle voiced Ragani, the release features the tabla playing of Girish, as well as an invigorating cocktail of rhythm that includes flute, harmonium and guitar." --Music Design

About the Artist
At the age of eight, American-born Ragani met the legendary yoga master, Sri Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Honesdale, PA. Under his tutelage, she was personally trained in the sciences of yoga, meditation and eastern music, including kirtan, an ancient and interactive form of chanting. Her guru bestowed upon her the Sanskrit name Ragani to reflect her life purpose of bringing this sacred world music to the globe.

In the 1980's, Ragani served for eight years as a personal assistant to Swami Rama. She traveled with him to the East, and led kirtan in such countries as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Curacao. She has been leading kirtan in the U.S. for the past 25 years. She is currently based in Milwaukee, WI, where she hosts the monthly Kirtan with Ragani, the largest independent, ongoing kirtan in the country. Kirtan with Ragani has been featured on FOX and NBC affiliates and in numerous regional, national and international publications. In addition, Ragani is the featured model for the award-winning book, Yoga: Mastering the Basics, and its two accompanying videos.

Ragani is one of the few American kirtan leaders who studied this form of devotional music extensively with an East Indian guru. This depth of training and authentic experience is reflected in the Kirtan with Ragani live performances and CD. During live performances, Ragani often shares personal stories of her time with Swami Rama, giving the audience a window into the power of such a teacher-student relationship. Ragani's award-winning debut CD and Kirtan Café series CD's (world spirit chant music) have been released as a tribute to her teacher, Sri Swami Rama, who left this world in 1996.

Customer Reviews

Loving Vibrations!
"Ancient Spirit" is Ragani's second kirtan CD and like her previous release, "Best of Both Worlds", it is an excellent collection of contemporary kirtan (kirtan is an ancient Indian musical form in which the name of the divine is chanted in a 'call and response' fashion).

Ragani sings these chants (and plays harmonium/keyboards/percussion) skillfully and lovingly. Whether she's chanting a whispered melody or singing at full volume, the quality of her voice is always sweet, glowing and mellifluous. Over the course of a chant, she is always able to coax the magic out of these mantras. Ragani's vocal performances are infused with love and devotion and leave no doubt that she is singing directly from the cave of her heart. Sweet!

Musically, both east and west, ancient and modern, and earth and sky are effectively blended. The musicians on this CD play traditional instruments (harmonium, tablas, sitar) and typical western instruments (flute, guitar, electric bass, myriad percussion). The arrangements are rich and satisfying and always support the chanting. This music is easily accessible and features wonderful melodies, pleasing harmonies and propulsive rhythms. There are melodies that are sweet sounding ("Sri Krishna"), exotic ("Krishna Govinda") and majestic ("Prayer of Harmony"). Harmonium chords and sitar notes provide a foundation throughout, while flute and guitars (and other stringed instruments) provide melodic embellishments. The rhythm section really grooves, and if you're so inclined, this CD provides ample opportunity for you to move your body as you chant! The 'response' provided by the chorus of chanters on this recording is pleasing and helps provide the appropriate balance and energy for the kirtan presented here.

Lovely dynamics are featured on each track; each chant starts in a quiet place, and then increasingly builds and rises to a heated apex and then, at its conclusion, returns to that quiet place. I especially enjoy the deliciously ethereal place at the beginning of "Jaya Ganesha" and during "Prayer of Harmony", or the feeling of swaying in a warm tropical breeze at the beginning of "Sri Krishna".

The informative CD booklet contains the words for each chant with an accompanying explanation of the chant's meaning.

You'll not find anything here that's too 'over the top' vocally or musically; but rather, it's a nicely balanced blending of chant, music and intention that serves the purpose of kirtan: to help us find and enjoy the vibrations of love, peace, energy, healing and inspiration that are within. The kirtan documented on "Ancient Spirit" certainly succeeds in helping the listener find these good vibrations.

I love this CD and I highly recommend it!

Absolutely Fabulous!
Kirtan, the yoga of chanting, has got to be the most enjoyable form of spiritual practice. It's easy, it's fun, and in the right hands it's also great music! "Ancient Spirit" is the perfect kirtan CD, featuring memorable melodies, amazingly talented musicians, Ragani's exquisite voice, and lots of heart! I could sing along with this collection of songs 24/7!
Ragani's bestselling debut CD, "Best of Both Worlds" is also terrific.

Inspiring beautiful chants
I loved her first CD and I love this. Her voice is clear and lovely and the instrumentals are fabulous. I love playing these CDs before I teach yoga or when I am driving anywhere. If you chant through this CD you will feel the spirit within you!