Devotion

Between their name, the album title, and the cover art of embracing lovers done in that flat-perspective, Indian style of painting, Rasa's Devotion looks like one of those New Age Indian sacred chant albums, and in a way it is. But Indian devotional music has rarely sounded this sensual. These are traditional songs, but performed in a modern, world-fusion style. Singer Kim Waters intones these hymns in a breathy, embracing soprano, falling through these ancient melodies like silk running through your fingers. Her voice is surrounded by lush arrangements from Hans Christian who plays cellos, sarangi (Indian violin), sitara (small sitar), and Swedish keyed fiddle, echoing Waters's melodies with serpentine refrains. With help from percussionist Greg Ellis of Vas, pianist Ira Stein, and a host of Indian musicians, Rasa attains the meaning of their Sanskrit name, which loosely translates as "essence." --John Diliberto