SHAYAN
by Charu Suri
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Music as medicine? For those in the know, that is certainly true. Now, what is a raga? A raga is a melodic framework characterized by specific rules and patterns of notes. In Indian musical aesthetics, ragas are designed to evoke an emotional connection in the listener.
With her 5th album release, “SHAYAN,” which is dedicated to her mother – and in my opinion, to humanity as well – composer and pianist, Charu Suri, has created 7 calming ragas, composed specifically to assist listeners glide effortlessly into a state of natural rest, so their physical bodies can return to a gentle circadian rhythm and state of balance and harmony.
Joining Charu and her beautiful piano performances on the album is a staggering host of Grammy®-winning, Grammy®-nominated and other notable award-winning musical talent. The featured guest artists on “SHAYAN” are: Jim “Kimo” West – Grammy® Winner (Guitar), Raniero Palm & the Venezuela String Recording Ensemble – Grammy® Winner (Strings), Ron Korb – Grammy® Winner (Flute) Max ZT – Grammy® Nominee (Dulcimer), Tess Remy-Schumacher (Cello), Premik Russell Tubbs (Flute), Anita Lerche (Vocals), Ravichandra Kulur (Flute), Siyer (Vocals), Haruna Fukazawa (Flute), Philip Vaiman (Violin), Mary Dawood Catlin (Vocals), Peter Sterling (Harp), Ramya Shankar (Ukulele).
One of the few female composers from India to perform at Carnegie Hall, Charu has lived on four different continents and writes music that reflects her journey as both a seasoned traveler and her training as a classical music piano prodigy. She has been playing the piano since the age of 5 and performing since the age of 9. One of her best memories is winning an international piano competition at the age of 15.
What started purely as an experiment with her album, “Book of Ragas,” has turned into a specific niche that Charu is now increasingly becoming well-known for. These days, she is often referred to as the “Queen of Raga Jazz.” “SHAYAN” is a departure from the jazz aspect, and this album is a meditative blend of traditional Indian melodies and global instrumentation.
Not merely created as a “performance,” “SHAYAN” is a healing musical experience meant for the soul, not the stage. Charu says, “’SHAYAN’ is a love letter to the ancient ragas of India. . . It is music that invites the world to pause, reflect, and rest.” And healing and restful it is.
The album opens with the title track. This is 4-1/2 minutes of peaceful bliss. This piece uses raga Kalyani, the Eastern equivalent of the Lydian scale. Soft muted piano, along with ethereal vocals gentle flute, and harp, this is truly lovely and guides us lovingly right into the peace.
This is followed by the equally serene, “Mohanan Hymn,” featuring guitar from Jim “Kimo” West, sweet flute, rich cello, and soft ethereal vocals, along with Charu’s piano performance. This is melodic and rhythmic and beautifully done.
Some other favorites: “Nightingale” has a scintillating and lovely lullaby quality. This is flowing and restful in every regard. Equally tantalizing is the soft and graceful “Raga Durga.” I really love the breathy flute here.
This outstanding album, which brings extraordinary peace to the heart, closes out with “SHAYAN Reprise.” Raniero Palm and the Venezuela String Recording Ensemble gives this a cinematic quality. With Ron Korb’s flute along with Charu’s piano, this is one to love. In fact, that is this album: An intimate love letter to the world. You will want to get the whole thing.
Get it here: https://linktr.ee/charusuri
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