reviews
"Swaha! are Toronto's gift to the kirtan scene. Their latest CD, titled Bolo! (the Sanskrit command "to sing"), is great music to chant along with. They have their groove on just right. Meenakshi and Ron Reid, Swaha's members, are rooted in the ancient tradition of Sanskrit chant, yet are steeped in the familiar beauty and wealth of rock 'n' roll. In other words, just when you're thinking you are listening to a mellow yoga release, something happens, and the whole thing becomes bigger, more psychedelic and more moving than you expect. Dave Stringer adds his voice to three tracks, adding depth to the mix, as well as some nice tenor harmonies. I love the last track, "Nataraj," which leaves me invigorated, chanting "Om Namah Sivaya," ready for more. And their tempos are--how do I say--sublime."
Debi Winston-Buzil Yoga Chicago Magazine
Did you ever just want to pop in a relaxing CD at the end of a long day? If so, Swaha's newest CD "Bolo!" is a great choice to soothe your soul. Taking hints of Indian mantras and spiritual music, Swaha does a magnificent job with their newest disc. Vocalists Dave Stringer and Tara MacLean serve up some excellent performances on this CD. The balance of Dave's vocal tone with Tara's angelic pitch is easy on any listener's ears. As for the music, the raga flare sets the mood for some beautiful sounds on songs like "Shiva Manas Puja" and "Jaya Ram Shri Ram." Another great feature of "Bolo!" is the pop sound that is delivered on many of the songs including "Govinda Gopala." Swaha has taken the mantra/Indian genres to a whole different level, fusing India's musical roots with traditional pop instrumentation. "Bolo!" is a perfect listen for anyone who enjoys Indian music fused with spiritual and uplifting textures.
Shaun H. and the RadioIndy Reviewer Team RadioIndy
