When I heard that Deva Premal’s latest album would be entitled Deva, I felt a bit of trepidation – firstly whether this would be a retrospective collection, and secondly if the acclaimed singer was releasing a solo project without longtime accompanists, her life and music partner Miten, and the marvelous bansuri flautist Manose. Both have been at her side, in studio and onstage, throughout her meteoric career and their ensemble sound is unique beyond measure.
Happily, Deva’s latest offering is a beautifully paced new recording and another great collaboration with Miten, Manose, and the gifted producer/multi-instrumentalist Joby Baker. But it’s also indeed an auspicious celebration of this beloved singer, whose work now spans two decades since her first recording of the Gayatri Mantra (on her 1998 debut album, The Essence) electrified fans of devotional music around the planet. Gayatri became a staple in yoga studios, book shops, and on playlists everywhere, remaining a massive favorite to this day with legions of loyal fans worldwide.
With an elegant nod to her debut 20 years ago, Deva revisits her classic, opening with a fresh new recording of the long form of the Gayatri Mantra titled “The Seven Chakra Gayatri Mantra.” This time it’s enshrined with a beautiful original melody composed by Deva herself. This also closes this heartfelt album, book-ending the entire project with two versions of the Sanskrit mantra.
Deva’s voice is as mesmerizing as ever, and on this album it graces some of the most sophisticated and tasty musical settings she has explored. It’s noteworthy to mention a guest appearance by Anouska Shankar on sitar for the gorgeous Prabhujee, which was composed by her late father.
Eclectic and rhythmic, Deva is an uplifting gem – a refreshing, nourishing experience for your soul. (Prabhu Music)
This article is a part of the 2018 OCT / NOV issue of Whole Life Times.