Robert Gass Heart Of Perfect Wisdom/Kalama: A Sufi Song Of Love CD

With his imaginative arrangements and stunning use of choral harmonies, Robert Gass has carved a special place for himself in the world of spiritual music. Here, he offers his interpretation of two important Buddhist chants and a Sufi hymn. The Heart of Wisdom Sutra is a key Buddhist scripture containing one of the essential Buddhist mantras, "Gate gate, para gate para sam gate, bodhi svaha." In an arrangement gleaming with all the eerie beauty of medieval polyphony, Gass and his chorus intone the mantra, as well as a condensed English translation of the entire sutra, as a celestial chorale with a low, droning background of overtone chanting. Wooden flutes and harp weave through the airy tapestry.

More overtone chanting accompanies the mantra "Om mane padme hum." This second track is entirely vocal, a dense blanket of sound perfect for meditation. The third track is a lovely choral recitation of a Sufi declaration of faith, or "Kalama." Gass and his choir start out in a reserved, almost polite fashion. About 13 minutes in, a lively instrumental break marks a shift into more primal territory. Percussive acoustic guitar and spirited grunting take center stage, eventually surrendering once again to the mildness of the opening third.

Recorded at Inner City Sound, Boston, Massachusettes and FTM Studios, Denver, Colorado. Includes liner notes by Jonathan S. Goldman, Robert Gass, Sasdi, and Neil Douglas-Klotz.

2 LPs on 1 CD: HEART OF PERFECT WISDOM/A SUFI SONG OF LOVE.

HEART OF PERFECT WISDOM:

Personnel includes: Randy Armstrong (acoustic guitar); Sharmane Eve Simard (harp); Ken LaRoche (wooden flute).

A SUFI SONG OF LOVE:

Personnel icludes: Robert Gass (vocals); Paul Kli (violin).