Music Review: Deva

by Deva PremalWhite Swan Records
reviewed by John Malkin
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Deva album cover

Deva Premal and Miten have been making music together for almost 30 years. Their mantra-based albums are loved worldwide, and, with Nepalese flutist/vocalist Manose, they play to audiences from Mexico City to Moscow. Their latest album is titled simply DEVA and has 71-year-old Miten moving to the background. “I had open heart surgery. I feel like I’ve been reborn into the last years of my life,” he told S&H. “Deva and I began singing 27 years ago, before she considered herself a singer. I’ve watched Deva become a singer and I’ve helped her along that journey.”

Tracks on DEVA include “Mahamantra” and “Sarva Mangala.” Anoushka Shankar adds sitar on two pieces, “Prabhujee” (written by the Pundit Ravi Shankar) and “Gayatri Mantra.” Deva told S&H, “The track closest to my heart is the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in its long form, which includes all of the seven chakras, the energy centers. We found a beautiful melody for it and it’s very peaceful. It feels like a meditative hug or a warm bath.” For each mantra, Manose adds accents of voice, flute, and percussion that delicately color the soothing landscapes.

Deva

Photo by Raj Naik


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