Review by Steve Vinay Gunther spirited@depth.net.au "Unity Hours II is yet another great album from Jyosna La Trobe. She is the undiscovered Joni Mitchell of spiritual songwriting. Her lyrics speak about the complexities of love, life and spiritual connection, without being other worldly. Yet to listen to her voice is to be taken to another realm; theres a palpable sense of the bliss in her presence. Her music is unique - an interesting fusion of folk, asian ethnic, trance and ballad. I never get tired of listening to any of her productions, and this one is no exception. Once you listen you will be hooked on this remarkable artist! " This album is a collection of songs and contemporary kirtans, inspired by love for the divine and traditional sources. All songs written and composed by Jyoshna La Trobe except Mermaid song by Jyoshna and Teresa Franco Suarez, Sakal maner vina and E gan thamibe, by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar (Prabhat Samgiita Collection) Jyoshna’s new album Unity Hours II is the second of a sequel, produced by Jyoshna and gold medallist Michael Lloyd, a producer who has several gold and platinum album credits to his name, as well as many television and film awards (including BAFTA nominations). Jyoshna’s music is difficult to categorise, although broadly speaking it fits within the singer/songwriter and ‘world’ music categories. She has played with Turiiya, women’s group from the 80’s, Chris Banks (from Deep Obsession, film producer), as well as From Scratch (Phil Dadson, Don Mac Glaushin). In this album she plays with an international group, Sristi Das (dhol), Sabina Racheyeva (violin), Shzr Ee Tan (accordian, piano), Eric Azzopardi (piano), Morgan Davies (sarangi) among others. Someone once described her songs as a cross between the Indian poetess Mira’s poems (oh Beloved for example) and Radiohead (In the night). Other than the Bengali songs Sakal and Egan thamibe (P.R.Sarkar), her songs are original, poignant and speak of a divine love connection. The soul in her music sours, theres the indie rock numbers (In the night, Everywhere I turn), women’s songs, (Mermaid), love/devotional (Oh beloved), kirtan chants (the letter) and as well as sings Bengali songs (Sakal). Her PhD (Music,) has unravelled the original kirtan tradition in Bengal. The knowledge and understanding that her research has given her into the background of the original Rarhi (West Bengal, India) kirtan musical tradition places her securely within both that tradition, as well as a European singer/songwriter tradition. The title of the album Unity Hours was inspired by the Medieval Books of Hours where an artist would compose and paint images intended to be meditated upon. Songs in Unity Hours II are meditations on unity on all levels and expressed with an explosive yet beautiful calm. Credits: Mantra: Shrii Shrii Ananadamurtiji Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar: Jyoshna Percussion: Thierry Deneux Electric Gat: Adam Fox Piano: Eric Azzopardi Piano and Accordian: Shzr Ee Tan Keyboards:Michael Lloyd. Roger Eschew Violin: Sabina Rakcheyeva Backing vocals: Jyoshna, Sarala Estruch Djembe: Jishnu Verdier Bass: Michael Lloyd, Double Bass: Olly Blanchflower Tabla: Pranav Bihari Cello: Laura Anstee, Percussion: Kavita Neumannova, Sristida Sahis, Sahnai: Ghaltu Kalindi Sarangi and electric guitar:Morgan Davies Didjeridoo: Paunkaj All songs recorded, mixed and produced by Michael Lloyd at Sky TV Studios, London except didjeridoo, recorded by John Garrido at RAWA Studio, London. Distributed by: Innersong, USA. © Copyright: Jyoshna La Trobe 2010. Song Lyrics: 1. None more beautiful than him A Dmin 6 A/ Dmin.6 In all these worlds there's none more beautiful than him A Dmin.6 Cmaj.7 / Dmin.6 He's the honey and the nectar of the stem Cmaj.7 Gmin.7 (He's the) eternal spring in the desert C sus 4/F E 7th He's the depth of the valley green Cmaj.7 Gmin.7 He's the cup from which every cup filleth Csus 4/ F Emaj He's the source from which we all drink In all these worlds there's none more beautiful than him He's the honey at the centre of the stem and when he walks he's the calm blue in the eye of the storm and when he talks every sound responds every one rushes towards Him A Dmin 6, A/Dmin.6 A Dmin6 Cmaj.7/Dmin 6. Baba nam kevalam, Baba, Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Cmaj.7 Gmin.7, C sus 4/F E 7th Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Nam Kevalam Cmaj.7 Gmin.7, Csus 4/ F Emaj Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Nam kevalam In all these worlds there’s none more beautiful than him He's the honey and the nectar of the stem and when we gaze upon Him it’s as if the first time we've ever seen and the bliss of all could never measure up to the bliss held in one single glance of his Baba nam kevalam Sakal maner vina: SAKAL MANER VIIŃÁ EK SURE BÁJE ÁJ SAKAL HRDAYE SAORABHA CHINŔO NÁ, CHINŔO NÁ, E KUSUMA MÁLÁKHÁNI MAMATÁR SÁRÁ VAEBHAVA SAKAL MANER VIIŃÁ EK SURE BÁJE ÁJ SAKAL HRDAYE SAORABHA ESO TUMI ÁRO KÁCHE, ÁRO KÁCHE, ÁRO KÁCHE 2 NIYE JÁO JÁHÁ KICHU SAB SAKAL MANER VIIŃÁ EK SURE BÁJE ÁJ SAKAL HRDAYE SAORABHA Translation: Song of sweetness: The lyres of all minds play to the same tune today. There is fragrance in all hearts. You came onto this earth with Your exquisite appearance and gave the same feeling to all. Do not tear my garland of flowers, my entire wealth of compassion. Come close to me, come closer, still closer, take all that I have. Mermaid Song: Amin F/ C sus 4 1. Long ago there was a mermaid Em Am She was living in the sea F/C sus 4 Am Her hair was waving in the breeze F/C sus 4 Em He heart was open, spirit free F/C sus 4 Am And she was calling out to me 2. Then one day there came a sailor And he took her for his gain He didn’t even know her name Her body broken, felt no shame He didn’t even know her name.. Repeats Chorus: Am G Em Am Mermaid song, it drifts across the water G Em Am leads me on so I can hear her calling F/C sus 4 Am to the sea my love has gone F/C sus 4 Em from the sea where she was torn F/C sus 4 Am back to the sea our love was born 3: So her mermaid friends and family Couldn’t bear the tragedy They beached themselves in solidarity Never again mermaids were seen Never again mermaids were seen 4. How many injustices before We stand and make strength our wall Cause hand in hand we cannot fall Cos love in truth lies touching all Cause hand in hand we cannot fall Chorus: Mermaid song, drifts across the water.. The lyrics of Mermaid are inspired by P.R.Sarkar’s story on Mermaids from “Kaeshik” Shabda Cayaniká Part 7, and The Awakening of Women (1994). The first time: I loved you since we first met, I’ve no hopes and no regrets, (from the) beginning I could see, that you would be my destiny. The first time I called your name, it was a dream and gift you gave, and loving in this way, you and I could be the same. And when this ocean of longing, from tears of separation, dries with a burst of radiant sun, nothing remains but your love The first time, you did appear, in front of me, you drew me near, and your smile held me dear, and your touch dispelled my fears. The first time I saw your face, there was such sweetness and such grace, and with my hands I did trace, every particle did lace. And when this ocean of longing, from tears of separation, dries with a burst of radiant sun, nothing remains but you love. There’s one thing I do regret, it was the moment that you left, and though you showed me here inside, where to find you, where love abides. Repeats. And when this ocean of longing, from tears of separation, dries with a burst of radiant sun, nothing remains but your love. Baba nam kevalam. Repeats. Everywhere I turn Chorus: Every time I turn, I see your eyes shining light within me Everywhere I burn, I feel I feel your touch, it is taking me Everywhere I go, I feel your smile warming deep within me Everyone I love, it’s none but you making love to me I know that I do survive by your love, If I live or die it’s none but you can decide my love And if I cry it’s not your fault only mine I don’t deserve any grace but (to ask) it’s no crime Chorus: Every time I turn, I see your eyes shining light within me This is your time and I want to comply, my love I'll give my all not deny what you want, my love Here is my flower, though petals they may break sometimes No matter love, they'll grow again in your sunshine The Letter Kirtan If I write to you a letter, will you try to understand Will the ocean of my longing, reach out for your hand If I wake up in the morning and I stroke your golden hair Will everything be better, will everything be fair Beloved, my Baba, beloved, oh my love And I see you in the spring time in the tiny buds so bright And I see you in the darkest, in the starry, starry night And I see you in the winter cold, in the snow pure, pure white, And I see you in the morning, in the full moon so bright Beloved, my Baba, beloved, oh my love Come walk besides me beloved, through all these sounds and sights, through happiness and sorrow, through humanity’s plight. For you I could do anything, just come back to my side, for you I would do anything, just come back here inside, beloved, my Baba, beloved, oh my love. Baba Nam Kevalam. Repeats Take my mind: Oh Beloved, I see you smiling there In my heart, I'm longing to be near Chorus: Take my mind, take my heart Take my loving, take my art Take my eyes, take my sight Take my all, and take my might. Oh Beloved just how can it be That I can love you, oh so very deep Chorus: Take my mind.. Night and day, night and day Come what may, come what may Here I am, here I'll stay I will love you, come what may Take my mind take my heart Take my love take my heart Oh beloved, just what am I to do Every inch of my being's calling to you Here I am, here I'll stay, I will love you, come what may. Oh beloved, just where am I to go? Every part of me, is burning in your soul Here I am here, here I'll stay, I will love you come what may. Baba nam kevalam, repeats Credits: Music: Sambhuvananda/ La Trobe Lyrics: Jyoshna La Trobe Mantra: Shrii Shrii Ananadamurtiji In The Night: In the night in the light, in the light of the night I will try, I will cry, I will fight, with all my might for your love for your light, for your sight in the night x2 In my day, in my way, I will say, come what may I will play, I will shake, I will break, I will ache I will make, I will take, I will shake, I will ache for your love, for your touch, for your play, in the day for your love, for your touch, for you sight, in the night aye aye aye aye aye In sunrise, when night does, when night dies, in sunrise, I will rise, undisguised, lovers cries, from my eyes, Lovers cries, undisguised, from my eyes, at sunrise for your love, for your sight, for your light, in the night, at sunrise, lovers eyes, in my cries, undisguised, for your love, for your touch, for your play, in the day, for your love, for your sight, for your light, in the night, aye aye aye aye How can I say goodbye How can I say goodbye to my loving heart if tears are made to cry then my hearts made to.. How can I say goodbye to my loving heart, if tears are made to cry then my hearts made to love and my hands made to touch, and my arms meant to hold you beloved, the sun is meant to shine and the moon too beloved, the moon is meant to light on the lovers that lie in the dark of night and this love that was mine how can it leave my sight? How can I say goodbye, to my loving heart? if tears are made to cry then my heart’s made to love and my hands made to touch and my arms meant to hold you beloved Just what’s it meant to be? a constant emotion, a swell of tide and sea? when every part of my being is calling out to thee and then running after, every scent to breathe, that you breathe. If there’s some meaning to my life, a natural kind of vibe so then, how can I let die the love that gives me life? if its unnatural to lie, when truth is ever bright so then, how can I let die this love that gives me light? Oh beloved the sun is meant to shine and the moon too beloved, to light the dark of light every part of my being is running after thee and trying to realise the love that sets us free Egan thamibe na (Prout song, Prabhat Samgiit no. 4795) Egan thamibe na, e dabi damibe na, patha benge dilo aloka jjvala, prouteri presana Translation: This song will not stop, and the suppression of society must not continue, PROUT* will show us the way, it is the illumined path. *PROUT stands for Progressive Utilisation Theory, by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar.