Whether or not you believe, with the practitioners of Hatha yoga, that sound is the source of all creation, and whether or not you're particularly interested in asana practice or Goddess worship, you'll likely find the music on the second volume in the
White Swan
label's
White Swan Yoga Masters
series to be soothing, interesting, and at times deeply beautiful. In keeping with the label's general practice, the music is a combination of ancient texts and melodies embellished with thoroughly modern beats and
electronic
textures. This particular collection brings together devotional songs performed by female singers and programmed to facilitate a yoga sequence. Performers include label mainstay
Deva Premal
,
Donna Delory
Dum Dum Project
(featuring singer
Asha Puthli
) and
Sharon Gannon
, who also compiled the program and whose contribution is mixed by
Mike D
of the
Beastie Boys
. Nothing on the album is less than lovely, but
Premal
's
"Om Tare Tuttare"
is especially pretty and nicely arranged, and
Chloe Goodchild
"Sri Ma"
is another highlight -- that last track features what may be the first ever recorded example of a trance-inducing five-string banjo. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson