“The Enchantment (SitaRam)” by Kimberly Haynes
Single Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Kimberly Haynes is an award-winning singer and songwriter who creates uplifting and inspiring music that is known for its soulful lyrics, rich melodies, and captivating rhythms. Her song, “Grant Us Peace” recently won the New Age Notes Music Award for “Best New Age Song.” Overall, her music effortlessly transports listeners to a place of peace, love, and healing. Kimberly’s music transcends genre, as she expresses her musical art in a harmonious synthesis of world, pop, and folk.
As well, Kimberly’s music is heavily influenced by her spiritual practices and her deep connection to nature. Her songs often explore themes of gratitude, self-discovery, and mindfulness, encouraging listeners to embrace the present moment and appreciate the beauty of life. Her songs are a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire, and they offer a much-needed respite from the stresses of daily life.
Her new single, “The Enchantment,” will be released on May 7, 2023. It is a pre-curser to the upcoming album of the same name, set for release in late summer, 2023. “The Enchantment” is inspired by an arrangement from Sheila Chandra of the traditional folk song, “Reynardine.” The piece, which is much more than a song, and has a rather prayer-like quality to it, is a collaboration between Kimberly and her good friend, MB Gordy. But there’s much more to it than that.
Not long ago, Kimberly lost her husband, Brian. After he died, she and her dog, Sequoia, would walk the lonely trails of Topanga (California), during the Covid-19 lockdowns in search of him/his energy. She found that “Reynardine” pulled her gently into a mystical state in which she could feel her beloved Brian as if he were still right there with her. She felt so inspired by the words and energy of the song, she wanted to create her own version of it as a song of love and longing. The SitaRam repetitions in the piece are an acknowledgement of “Perfect Love,” and these succeed “perfectly.”
And one can feel that perfect love emanating throughout this beautiful song. It’s six minutes of deep peace, with Kimberly’s gorgeous, mesmerizing voice and vocal drones, leading us right into the true enchantment that is this song. The frame drum (MB Gordy) and singing bowls (Jeralyn Glass), add texture to the hypnotic musical tapestry, and it’s all quite entrancing. The stunningly beautiful cover photograph (Sequoia Emmanual) completes the experience. This is a “must have” song, which at the time of this review is on pre-save (link below). And again, the release date is May 7. . .Kimberly and Brian’s wedding anniversary. Beyond beautiful.
Official artist website: www.KimberlyHaynesMusic.com
Pre-save link: https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/kimberlyhaynesmbgordy_theenchantment
Artist – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/36xwbzWyktFw34wqelcZhl
Credits:
Kimberly Haynes: Vocals, vocal drones, production
MB Gordy: Frame drum
Jeralyn Glass: Singing bowls
Engineering: David Vito Gregoli and Lucas Fehring
Mix/Mastering: Todd Boston
Traditional folk song arranged by Sheila Chandra and Steve Coe
