Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/320391
Singing in Tongues Eccodek C oming in third out of 20,000 entries in the International Songwriting Competition is quite a way to launch your sixth album. Enter "Village in Me," the lead single from Guelph-based global music outfi t Eccodek's latest outing, Singing In Tongues. The Juno-nominated band, led by pro- ducer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew McPherson, is on fi re on these nine tracks. Malian native Jay Youssouf, who plays cal- abash guitar and sings, leads the charge throughout, including on "Village," as well as "In My Tribe" and the title track. Guelph, a tiny but progressive city that includes a university and a re- nowned jazz festival, affords McPherson broad access to a wide range of musicians. Among them, Turkish singers Onkar Singh and Meral Mert shine. Singh is at his best on the sparse "In Con- fi dence," while the seductive and hypnotic "The End Begins" showcases Mert's impressive range. MC Yogi's sub- dued fl ow on "My Primitive Heart" adds a further dimension to Eccodek's ever-expanding catalog of sonic fl avors. (Black Swan Sounds) —DB K irtan Aid is an all-star kirtan album featuring devotional music in several languages donated by top kirtan artists Deva Premal, Krishna Das, Snatam Kaur, Jai-Jagdeesh, Tina Malia, Jai Uttal, Harnam, Simrit Kaur, Dave Stringer and eight more. All of the proceeds from this album will go toward building a green, sustainable dormitory for abused and aban- doned orphans at a sanctuary called Ramana's Garden in Rishi- kesh, India. Many of the artists have visited Ramana's Garden and chanted with the children. Some of their outstanding tracks are "Aad Guray" by Deva Pre- mal, "Kashi Vishwannath" by Krishna Das, "Mere Ram" by Snatam Kaur and "Gopala Lullaby" by Jai Uttal. Kirtan Aid is the music of yoga in service to the planet. Supporting this album will help innocent victims of tragedy and give hope to the hopeless. For more info, go to www.satnam- foundation.org. (Spirit Voyage) —Paul Andrews I n re-envisioning his groundbreaking 15-year old Shiva Station album, Jai Uttal brings us closer to the music. Un- adorned, intimate arrangements illuminate the spiritual heart of each composition. As I listened to the familiar tracks, I was struck by their tenderness and sweet vulnerability—the communion of an intimate connection with the Divine, no lon- ger searching or yearning but tasting the nectar of this joy. In this stripped-down recording, he is joined by his inner circle of musicians: Ben Leinbach, singer Prajna Vieira and guitarist José Neto, with additional contributions from Yoed Nir (cello) and Timothy White (sitar). Three tracks sung primarily in English show another side of Jai Uttal, shining as translucent refl ections of a new perspective. Taken as a whole, Return to Shiva Station offers an overview of the musician's illustrious career over the past three decades, carving his musical path toward a life lived in gratitude and grace. (Sounds True) —Lloyd Barde Jai Uttal Return to Shiva Station MUSIC Kirtan Aid: Orphans of Rishikesh Various Artists june/july 2014 33 WLT-JUN-JULY-26.indd 33 5/26/14 2:10 PM