Want to write a
review for Ragani's
CD, Best of Both
Worlds?

Click here for
CDBABY page
of reviews

Click here for
AMAZON page
of reviews.

Or send us your
brief review and we'll
post it for you!
Click here!

Ancient Spirit
Kirtan Cafe, Vol. ii (CD)
2006 release

Own this CD: CDBaby | Amazon | iTunes
Back to soundclips >

Ancient Spirit (Kirtan Café, Vol. ii) captures listeners with its full-length, richly woven kirtan songs (yoga chants). From the producers of the largest independent and ongoing kirtan scene in the US, this kirtan CD offers beautiful vocals, a sea of chanters, and rich world instrumentation that bring to life the mantras of India. This CD features percussion masters, Girish Gambhira and Tim Maher, along with a powerful entourage of Kirtan with Ragani musicians and chorus.

"Though it involves music, the ancient practice of kirtan is not about musical ability or training, it is about the heart. These ancient mantras from India contain powerful renewing and transformational energies that serve to reconnect us to the Eternal Being that lies within us all. Kirtan has an organizing effect on the mind and body, and it offers a means of finding our way back to the core of our being, to our heart, and to the divine." - reprinted from CD brochure Following their award-winning debut album (Best of Both Worlds), and based upon the sacred kirtan chants of India, Ancient Spirit is being released for the 10th mahasamadhi anniversary Swami Rama of the Himalayas, whose memory continues to live in the hearts of us all. A portion of proceeds from CD sales will help to support the charitable hospital (northern India) and nonprofit organizations established by Swami Rama.


This CD was sponsored in part by MargaretAnn's Place, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the distinctive needs of grieving children. They are one of over 300 centers for grieving children nationwide, and the first of its kind established in the state of Wisconsin.

Media Reviews:
(see Press Kit for available pdf/downloads of reviews) "Ragani... proves her worth with this exquisite collection of mantras... an inviting cocktail "
-Music Design_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Fan Reviews:
Read more CDBaby.com reviews >>
Read more Amazon reviews>>

**** Bliss!
Ron Fink: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!! I've been playing the CD non-stop now, for the past few days since I received it. In a lack of better words- ORGASMIC! Soothing, caring, tender and flowing. Just absolutely beautiful. :) Thank you again! Let's all turn the world to love! [CD Baby review] **** Beautiful!
Jo Henning Kalbakken (Norway): It's absolutely the best! Thank you for letting something so beautiful flow through you and documenting it for the benefit of all of us; each melody is chanted lovingly and skillfully and the feelng of love really shines through. Thanks again to you and all involved; it's a thing of beauty that I'll use for a long time to come.
[CD Baby review]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Musicians on Ancient Spirit:

Musicians: Ragani, Girish Gambhira, Tim Maher, Michael Kashou, Holly Haebig, Terry Vittone, Dave Blessum, Jahmes Anthony Finlayson, Josh Hajicek, Kaita Bliffert, Paul Kuhn.
Chorus: Alanna Briski, Anna Mlodik, Bandana Maheraji, Barbara Koehler, Charlie Koenen, Dale Buegel, David Odland, Dena G. Aronson, Holly Haebig, Jane Stahowiak, Jodi Polacheck, Julie Banashak, Kathy Starck, Laura Wall, Lenore Lee, Linda Carol Weber, Liz McIntyre, Maggie Kuhn Jacobus, Marcel Piatek, Michael Culotti, Miguel de Jesus, Mike Hewitt, Mike Starling, Monica Ann Judge, Monica Stone, Nancy A. Siker, Paul Kuhn, Rebecca Orsage Gray, Sally Stanton, Sondra, Steve S. Jacobus, Tia Richardson, Trish MillerProduced, Recorded, Edited by Ragani
Mixed by Dave Vartanian at DV Studios
Mastered by Trevor Sadler at Mastermind Productions
Cosmic Production Guidance by Sri Swami Rama
Recorded at Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center, Boehme Workshops, and HeartSpace
Cover photos by Eno Yaw at Eno Yaw, Ltd.
Cover Artwork & Design by Ragani
Brochure Design (and Cover Font design for CD Title) by
Tia Richardson at www.cosmic-butterfly.com

Tasty tidbits on kirtan musicians from Ancient Spirit:

Girish Gambhira has played and recorded with artists such as Rasa, Krishna Das, Michael Brook, Dave Stringer, Wah, Robert Gass, and Steve Gordon.

Terry Vittone fronted Bitter Pleasures which toured extensively with Mink DeVille and The Producers, and he played as a sideman for John Seiger, Semi Twang, and Paul Cebar. Michael Kashou played and recorded with the band Garbage (he's on their platinum CD), Paul Cebar, Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes), Swamp Thing, and John Kruth. Featured musician on Best of Both Worlds CD.