Spirit Room

Jai Uttal has been heralded as a master in the realms of World and New Age music. Uttal's latest offering, Spirit Room, is a fitting tribute to his 10-year recording history with Triloka records. Moving gracefully through traditional Indian sitars, tablas, African rhythms, and modern jazz innovations, Uttal shape-shifts each musical moment into well-crafted songs. His clear, contralto vocals touch deep emotional chords, sparking an awakening of something new and promising, yet warmly familiar. The opening track, "Be with You," is an impassioned work of love and devotion, parting the way into "Guru Brahma," heady, smooth, and seductive. On "Corner," Uttal explores the shadow realm through somber acoustic guitar and sitar. The rest of Spirit Room rounds out with groove-heavy cuts such as "Footprints" and "Malkouns (Night on the Ganges)." While Uttal's talents as a composer, arranger, vocalist, and producer are all noteworthy, it is the basic simplicity of his songwriting that is his most enduring trademark. Spirit Room is a musical sanctuary, where everything comes together in perfect balance. --Leslie Marini