Jaya Lakshmi & Ananda - Sarasvati Dreams (2014)

Prepare to journey on this dreamy, bhakti-glistening new album from adored musical artists Jaya Lakshmi and Ananda. Produced in collaboration with noted cellist and multi-instrumentalist Hans Christian of Rasa and the GuruGanesha Band, these melodic, acoustic pieces bridge meditation music and kirtan and express the artists' personal experiences with the deities. Perfect for yoga, relaxation, and the healing arts, here is a new album from two of kirtan's leading voices. Jaya Lakshmi has been sharing her beautiful kirtans for over 20 years.

Jaya Lakshmi mixes contemporary chant — both sensual and spiritual — with tribal dance beats and flamenco guitar to create a mystical soundtrack to accompany meditation, yoga, or just kicking back. Lakshmi took to music at a young age. Through piano lessons she found the guitar, an instrument that led her to form her own folk band in high school at the age of 15. In 1985 she earned a degree in anthropology from the University of New Hampshire, eventually moving western Oregon to pursue singing and songwriting. Five years later she and her two-year-old daughter relocated to Hawaii, a move that introduced the artist to the West Bengalese spiritual leader Srila Govinda Maharaj, who gave Jaya her spirit name (Jaya Lakshmi), which means "the Hindu Goddess of prosperity." Lakshmi found Hawaii to be the perfect conduit for her faith-based explorations, a journey that led her to the island of Maui, where she met Deva Priyo and Om and formed the band Lost at Last. After relocating to northern California, Lost at Last released their self-titled debut in August 2001. Lakshmi found herself to be a much sought-after collaborator, co-writing two songs for William Ackerman's Grammy-nominated Hearing Voices record, as well as contributing vocals to Steve Gordon's Drum Prayer release. In 2002, Lakshmi unleashed her debut, Ocean of Mercy, on Sequoia Records, followed by Jewel of Hari in 2004.

Tracklist:

01. River Song
02. Sarasvati Dreams
03. Ganesha Japa
04. Govinda Jaya Jaya
05. Lakshmi Mantra
06. Kali Ma
07. Gayatri
08. Shiva Parvati
09. Kali Ma (Extended Version)
10. Gayatri Mantra