For those unaware, on Awake! Arise! Songs of Sri Chinmoy, Laila Faerman sings a set of spiritual songs by Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), an Indian spiritual leader who became famous for teaching meditation in the West after moving to New York in 1964, that have been transformed by pianist-arranger Misha Tsiganov into modern jazz with the influence of contemporary classical music.

With accompaniment by an eclectic jazz group that includes saxophonist-flutist Premik Russell Tubbs, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, and Hendrik Meurkens on harmonica, the singer expresses a wide variety of emotions in a most beautiful voice.

In short, Awake! Arise does justice to the music of Sri Chinmoy while recasting his songs in a contemporary setting and putting the focus on Laila Faerman’s memorable singing.

1. Mantras (7:56)
2. Mata Tumi Tomar Asi [Divine Mother] (5:20)
3. Ranjana Nadi Tire [On the Shores of Delight-River] (3:28)
4. Phanki Diye Tomai [The Lap of Falsehood] (6:28)
5. O Bujhi Kanu Jai [There Goes Kanu] (6:13)
6. Saha Nav Avatu [May We All Be Protected] (6:52)
7. Do Not Cry (3:24)
8. Awake! Arise! (5:24)
9. Beloved Supreme (4:51)
10. Bedanai Bhara [I Place My Life Full of Pangs at Your Feet, My Lord] (4:33)
11. Swarupananda [The Bliss of Self-Realization, Consciousness and Infinity] (5:04)
12. El Jibaner [Purity-Dawn] (4:29)
13. Khama Karo [Forgiveness] (5:58)

This dutifully honoring, wholly-impassioned new recording opens on the aptly-titled Mantras and then leads us into the atmospherically-hued Mata Tumi Tomar Asi, the simply beautiful piano and percussion-imbued Ranjana Nadi Tire, the percussion-veined Phanki Diye Tomai, and then we get brought forth the delicately-sculpted O Bujhi Kanu Jai, the veritably shimmering Saha Nav Avatu and then the aching yearn within Do Not Cry is next offered.

The harmonica-led titular Awake! Arise! is a stand out track here and is itself then backed by the wishful longing within Beloved Supreme, the beaming Bedanai Bhara, the delicately tender piano balladry within the glistening Swarupananda, the album rounding out on the soulful vibe within El Jibaner, closing on the ardently pure Khama Karo.

This project started with my inspiration to record some of Sri Chinmoy’s immortal songs. I began to work with jazz pianist Misha Tsiganov, as well as Premik Russell Tubbs who brought flute and sax into the mix. Later several other musicians from around the world joined. As the project continued to grow, we often recorded from a distance, due to the Covid pandemic.

During the intense work on creative arrangements for the songs on the album, Misha saw Sri Chinmoy in a dream. Sri Chinmoy listened as Misha played, and then sat next to him and started playing the melody along with Misha’s accompaniment. At one point, Sri Chinmoy stopped him and said,“This is a wrong chord!” This was when Misha was playing a dissonant modern jazz chord progression. Misha very politely said, “No Guru, I will show you that in modern jazz, you can do that.’’ He then showed Guru some techniques of jazz reharmonization. Sri Chinmoy thought for a moment and then smiled and said “OK, that is good!’’ He then put his hands on Misha’s head and blessed him. Misha said he had never experienced a dream that felt more real.

This album presents Sri Chinmoy’s songs arranged in modern jazz and contemporary classical styles. The arrangements, the vocals and the variety of instruments offer a unique and intriguing experience of music fusion and spirituality. - Laila Faerman

LAILA FAERMAN - - AWAKE! ARISE! - NEW ALBUM [Official Video Release]

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