Jivatma Express leaves Central Station

[Guest guest]

Grammy Nominated Producer

Mixes Jivatma Express

 

Amsterdam, Holland

 

A new double cd, Jivatma Express, featuring devotional world music,

has just been released in Holland. Mixing the album was Attie Bauw, an

internationally acclaimed producer who has been nominated for two Grammies.

"This is a timeless album,"Attie said, "and I'm happy to be involved with

it."

 

The album was conceived, written and recorded in India by Nava Yauvan das,

aka, Jauvana. Fulfilling a promise he made 33 years ago to his sad-guru,

Om Vishnupada A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, he

wrote the lyrics and music for the album in Sri Vrindavan dham.

He then moved to Mumbai and spent one year recording the songs

with 20 of India's best session musicians. "We had to overcome a lot of

obstacles," says Jauvana. "Each song had up to 64 recorded tracks and

their computers in Mumbai were not used to handling that load. We also

had to arrange the songs for musicians whose musical styles ranged from rock

and pop to Indian classical and Bollywood! In Amsterdam, Attie was a great

help, and somehow or other, with the blessings of the vaishnavas, we created

an original and highly textured world music sound."

 

One cd features 11 songs in English, based on songs of Gaudiya vaishnava

acharyas, Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita.

The second cd contains 8 instrumental mixes. "I knew everything was OK

after we completed the mix and discovered the total length of the two cds

is exactly 108 minutes. We didn't plan that."

 

The original inspiration for the songs came directly from Om Vishnupada

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 33 years ago, in 1971, Jauvana,

(then Bhakta Juba), sent a reel-to-reel tape of a couple of songs he had

recorded, to Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada who was in London at the time.

Prabhupada heard the tape and sent the following reply:

 

24th August, 1971

 

My dear Juba, Please accept my blessings. I have heard your tape and it is

very nicely presented. It appears that you are a perfect artist in this line

and although I am not expert in singing, still I can appreciate your mode of

presentation. Your attempt to present the tape to me also is very

auspicious. In Srimad Bhagavatam it is said that everyone's talented

occupation shall be tested for perfection when used for the satisfaction of

the Supreme Lord or his representative. Certainly you have got a great

creditable artistic talent and if you employ these activities for the

service of the Lord, your life will be successful. I wish that you steadily

remain in the association of our devotees. Gradually be fixed up in Krishna

Consciousness and gradually all your talents will be fruitful in Krishna

Consciousness. Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

 

"Naturally this letter," Jauvana says, "was a huge inspiration for me,

and I immediately joined a group of devotees in New Vrindavan who

were forming the transcendental road show." The following year he

wrote and produced many of the soundtracks for the original "Krishna

Show," a syndicated radio program produced in Los Angeles

and broadcast in the U.S. in the '70s. "I could not fulfill my desire

to write and produce an album of original devotional songs for more

than 30 years," Jauvana says. "Until now. Better late than never."

 

Recently released, Jivatma Express has been played on radio stations

in Holland and over the internet. Both the song cd and the instrumental cd

are interesting, contemplative and enriching. Here are some testimonials:

 

"Great tablas, tight rhythms!"

 

"Beatle-like harmonies."

 

"Peaceful, flowing, awesome mood!"

 

"Beautiful, spiritual lyrics."

 

"I've been listening to it

for a few days now and can feel that it

is made with much love and devotion."

 

 

"Beautiful new CD...wonderful!

Great texture and creative flare woven through this

inspirational journey. I'm sure our Gurudeva smiles

kindly upon this soulful gift made in his honour.

Well done!"

 

"This music is always being played around our household!!

Both the compositions, musicians and lyrics are superb!

 

" I play the CDs very much and they do me much good. That Jauvana is really

a sound-artist, it is all so sensible, wonderful. It is really very

beautiful. And those Indians are of a superior culture, all very beautifully

played.

 

"All those different loops and chords…. the CD is very good."

 

Atrractively packaged in a digi-pak with a full color 24 page booklet

designed by Atma Vidya of Hamburg, Germany, the double cd can be seen and

heard on the internet at www.jauvana.com

 

Distribution inquiries can be made at www.tadiya.com or by direct

email to tadiya (AT) pamho (DOT) net

 

Nava Yauvan das can be reached by email at jauvana (AT) jauvana (DOT) com

 

Nitai Gaura Hari bol!!