Bhakti

This is a sweet album. All the sounds are pleasing the vocals are light airy and warm. I like the way the grooves are established and hold so you can really sink in and align with it. There are no curve balls here to take you from your path to bliss. A wonderful work.

"Bhakti" is the Grammy nominated album by talented composer and multi-instrumentalist, Paul Avgerinos, whose diversified musical catalog mostly spans the new age, ambient and ethnic fusion genres. Conveying an overall theme of spiritual love and global unity, "Bhakti" is a joyfully sunny yet richly soulful album that's deeply rewarding from start to finish. Chilled grooves and electronic elements collide with authentic Indian and traditional instruments (including sitar, sarod, bansuri flute, nylon guitar and violin) plus devotional singing and chants - resulting in a sonic and visual experience that feels both ancient and modern. The opening track, "Invocation", sets the mood for an exotic and mesmerizing journey to the Indian subcontinent where the listener is transported to majestic temples, rural villages and renowned beautiful landscapes. Relaxing vocals are present on much of the album, including those of Paul himself on songs like "Love and Devotion", "OM Namah Christaya" and "Hare Jesu" - as well as soothing, wordless female vocals on "Shanti OM", "Joy of Being" and "Bhakti Bliss". A light seasoning of Indian vocal samples add further mystique and world sensibility to the compositions. A particularly unique and highly appreciated aspect of "Bhakti" is Paul's fusion of Hindu and Christian spiritual traditions, which is especially noted on tracks such as "Hare Jesu" and "OM Namah Christaya". Not once does it sound pretentious or forced, but instead, the result is nothing short of a beautiful, inspiring and seemingly effortless merging and celebration of religious paths. The highly sensual and mysterious, "A Path with Heart", is easily my favorite piece on the album with its distinctively Tantric vibe. The song begins with an utterance of indiscernible mantra or prayer that blossoms into an ambient-world ensemble led by gentle percussion and an array of Indian instruments. The album closes similarly to how it opened with the contemplative and calming instrumental, "Peaceful Contentment", which is just over ten minutes long. While "Bhakti" is certainly a quintessential Yoga album, it is so much more than that. Although India and Hindu mysticism have long been a source of inspiration for many recording artists, it's not often that I come across an album as such which sounds this genuine and full of depth. Consistently meditative yet decidedly uplifting throughout, "Bhakti" is sure to leave the listener feeling blissfully relaxed and soulfully rejuvenated!

Bhakti connects inner soul to the supreme being. Paul’s music brings tranquility and solace. Loved his music and thoughtful arrangement of the tracks with chanting. Paul, thank you for your gifts to this world. All the best to you.

I've listened to this sublime collection over and over, and see it as so much more than the sum of its parts. The music is gorgeous--transformative in the way it soothes the mind and soul. It carries me to a peaceful place and allows me to slow down and hear everything. It exudes love, and encourages introspection and serenity. I normally don't listen to this genre, but am delighted to have been introduced to it through this amazing work.

"Bhakti" is Grammy-nominated/ award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Avgerinos’ nineteenth album to date. Best-known for his ambient music, Avgerinos goes in a different direction with "Bhakti" (a Sanskrit word that means love and devotion). Avgerinos has practiced yoga, meditation, chanting and devotional singing all of his life and became a student of a Bhakti yoga guru from India when he was sixteen. He has been very active in a small Christian church for the past twenty years although he was raised in the Greek Orthodox church. Using a combination of Eastern and Western musical traditions and instruments as well as chanting and singing, Avgerinos has brought all of those influences together into a musical celebration of love and devotion. Calling it a “must have for energizing any yoga practice,” "Bhakti" is very calming, joyful, and uplifting. Avgerinos sings several of the tracks - a first in almost ten years - and also plays bass, a variety of guitars, keyboards, and did the sound design. Guest artists appear on sarod, EWI, “angelic” vocals, sitar, and violin. All of this is backed by “Bollywood” beats and Christian Sanskrit mantras. Warm and accessible, this is music that should appeal to a broad audience for both its spiritual and musical offerings. Six of the eleven tracks are primarily instrumental although most of those have wordless vocals. All have a strong Indian influence. Appropriately, "Bhakti" begins with “Invocation,” a very peaceful opening that sets the spiritual tone of the album. “Shanti Om” is more of a chant sung by beautiful, ethereal voices with a simple but very rhythmic background that becomes more complex as the piece evolves. “Love and Devotion” combines Sanskrit and English lyrics in an upbeat, joyful song with jazz flute passages and a catchy beat. “Om Namah Christaya” is a favorite. Voices are layered (including Avgerinos’) in a very peaceful chant/song backed with a strong rhythm that gives the song a quality that is very serene as well as invigorating. “A Path with Heart” is my favorite of the instrumentals. A bit more Western in its approach, Eastern instrumentation combines beautifully with ambient keyboard sounds - very soothing. “Hare Jesu” again puts Avergerinos’ voice in the forefront in a chant that is both Christian and Hindu - fascinating! Although angelic voices are utilized, “Joy of Being” is primarily an instrumental that is sometimes melodic and sometimes ambient. “Forgiveness and Healing” is a 9-minute track that goes even more ambient and meditative. The closing track, “Peaceful Contentment” provides well over ten minutes of tranquility - gentle and blissful throughout. "Bhakti" is quite an unusual but very enlightening listening experience. Paul Avgerinos is likely to garner a great deal of attention and probably another round of awards with this one!

Bhakti is a soothing and flowing album that beautifully integrates guitar and other instruments with sitar and voice. My favorite piece is “Love and Devotion” for its infectious groove and joyful melody. I look forward to getting a massage with this music. Excellent work.

Beautiful music- a meditator's dream! Great for Yoga practice.

I love Paul's new album, Bhakti! It has beautifully written music that speaks straight to the heart and soul. What I like the most about it though, is the versatility. Although the album is very coherent, a veteran ear can detect how Paul incorporates different elements from his influences, making into something new and amazing, a celebration of peaceful joy. I highly recommend this album!

A beautifully crafted piece of art! A reminder to us all to slow down and find gratitude in the moment. After just a few minutes of listening the noise of my day just faded and a centered peacefulness arose. Very nicely done!

Paul's album Bhakti is wonderful. Beautiful layering of instruments.