Sri Ram

Quintessence (1970). Lead by Australian-born violinist and flutist Rothfield (aka Raja Ram), keyboardist Phil Jones (Shiva Shankar) and Shambu Babaji on bass, this North-London group had very strong spiritual Indian classical music influences. Their first two albums, In Blissfull Company and their eponymous second album (they had much success riding on the popular sudden passion provoked by the Beatles) are filled with Indian Sacred Chants and Psalms, but also much more accessible jazz-filled rock tracks full of delightful moments. The 2004 CD reissue on Repertoire adds a live version of "Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Gauranga" (originally released on the first pressing of the 1970 Island compilation Bumpers) as a bonus track…

Quintessence (1970). Lead by Australian-born violinist and flutist Rothfield (aka Raja Ram), keyboardist Phil Jones (Shiva Shankar) and Shambu Babaji on bass, this North-London group had very strong spiritual Indian classical music influences. Their first two albums, In Blissfull Company and their eponymous second album (they had much success riding on the popular sudden passion provoked by the Beatles) are filled with Indian Sacred Chants and Psalms, but also much more accessible jazz-filled rock tracks full of delightful moments. The 2004 CD reissue on Repertoire adds a live version of "Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Gauranga" (originally released on the first pressing of the 1970 Island compilation Bumpers) as a bonus track…

Sacred Earth is the creation of Jethro and Prem Williams, who live in Victoria, Australia, and travel the world performing their music. Prem shares her heartfelt devotion for Spirit and our precious Mother Earth through mantra and songs from the heart, accompanied by her husband Jethro, who plays an array of instruments from around the world, including shakuhachi (Japanese flute), Indian bansuri, Irish tin & low whistles, acoustic guitar, and percussion. Occasionally Jethro adds his beautiful, soulful voice. Jethro and Prem blend their experiences of yoga, meditation, natural healing, voice, love of Earth and instruments from around the world, giving birth to the music they call Sacred Earth.

The two Impulse albums by Alice Coltrane presented on this single CD are actually the bookends of a trilogy, representing the artist's final recordings for the label. Universal Consciousness was recorded in three sessions in 1971, and Lord of Lords, recorded in a single 1972 session. The album between them is World Galaxy. Universal Consciousness utilized a small string section to augment its trio and quartet settings; by contrast, Lord of Lords emulated its immediate predecessor (World Galaxy) in employing a 16- piece string section behind the trio of Coltrane, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Ben Riley. The former album features bassist Jimmy Garrison on four of its six tracks, and drummer Jack DeJohnette on three…