Jaya! by Shantala
A heart-opening journey into sacred chant that takes the listener from ancient to contemporary, from India and Bali to Gregorian chant, and from rocking celebration to the deepest meditation.
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“Jaya! is filled with spirit and love. Once again, Benjy and Heather have opened their hearts and shared their beautiful music with us all, paving the road of devotion with the precious twin jewels of melody and rhythm. Enjoy!”
– Jai Uttal
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“A perfect 10! This CD is exquisitely produced and mastered … the vocals, music and words leave you spiritually high!”
– Star Gate Books and Music, Eugene, Oregon
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“Jaya! is a sublime collection of chants highlighted by exemplary world fusion musicianship … A brilliant multi-instrumentalist, Benjy has studied Indian classical music for more than 25 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, and Ali Akbar Khan.”
– Maui News, 2013
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“Anyone who has ever attended one of Benjy and Heather Wertheimer’s live performances or workshops can attest to the fact that this pair creates some truly illuminating music. With Jaya! Shantala delivers divine love wrapped in seven kirtan confections … A must hear album for fans of quality kirtan music!”
– Music Design In Review
Tracklist
| 1. | Praise | 8:48 |
| 2. | Chamatkari | 8:38 |
| 3. | Govinda | 9:30 |
| 4. | Jaya! | 12:26 |
| 5. | Om Namah Shivaya | 9:51 |
| 6. | Alleluia | 3:11 |
| 7. | Hanuman Chalisa | 11:01 |
Credits
Benjy Wertheimer: lead vocals on 1, 5, & 6, tabla, esraj, keyboards, frame drum, djembe, backing vocals, percussion, guitar on 5
Heather Wertheimer: lead vocals on 2, 3, 4, & 7, guitar, backing vocals
Matt Butler: drum kit on 4
John de Kadt: hang (steel drum) on 1
Sean Frenette: bass, lead vocals on 6, backing vocals on 2, 3, & 5, response vocals
Steve Gorn: bansuri bamboo flute
Helena Nash: backing vocals on 1, 2, 3 & 5, response vocals
Nina Rao: kartols on 2 & 4
Michael Stirling: Backing vocals on 1, tamboura on 6
Lindsey Stormo: backing vocals on 3 & 5, response vocals
David Trasoff: sarode on 2
Alvin Young: electric guitar on 2, 4, 5, & 7
Chorus: Bonnie Argo, John Conley, Sean Frenette, Danielle Koppel, Stephen Metcalf, Helena Nash, Georgia Peterson, Stephanie Reiter, Michael Rizzo, Michael Stirling, Lindsey Stormo
Executive Producer: Benjy Wertheimer
Produced by Benjy and Heather Wertheimer
Recorded and engineered by Benjy Wertheimer
Chorus recording by Frank Stearns
Mixed by Dean Baskerville and Benjy Wertheimer
Mastering by Dean Baskerville / Baskerville Recording
Duplication by Riddle Press, Beaverton, OR
Front cover artwork by Jahnavi Harrison
Graphic design by Annette Orban
Photo of Neem Karoli Baba by Balaram Das
All other photos by Aisha Harley
Benjy and Heather want to thank:
• Neem Karoli Baba, Ram Dass, and Krishna Das for constant inspiration and love.
• All the musicians on this CD.
• Tyler Ryan, Jacqueline Westhead, and Liz Fogelson, who are the foundation of our life work and are bringing our music into the world.
• Sean Frenette and Lindsey Stormo for great friendship and for touring with us so beautifully.
• Frank Stearns for so skillfully recording the chorus.
• Dean Baskerville, for extraordinary mixing and mastering.
• Annette Orban, Janavi Harrison, and Aisha Harley for making this CD beautiful.
• Peter Briggs, Alex Briggs, and everyone who helped to build our recording studio.
• John Friend and Anusara Yoga.
• Our friends and families.
• Each other for steady and unconditional love.
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Benjy and Heather Wertheimer have been leading kirtan worldwide since 2001 as the duo Shantala. Known for their special gift of bringing the audience into a vast and loving experience through their unique blend of exquisite voices with instruments of India and the West, they create music with beauty, passion, and reverence.