Bhakti Without Borders

Bhakti Without Borders is a Mantra Music charity album by Madi Das. It was released May 12, 2015 and nominated for a Grammy award that year in the "Best New Age Album" category.[1][2] At the time, this was only the third kirtan album received this honor.[3] Bhakti Without Borders was listed as one of the "10 Best Yoga Tunes of the Year" by Yoga Journal.[3] It also ranked third in the "Top 20 Conscious Music Albums for 2015" competition by Soul Traveller.[4]

Bhakti Without Borders
Studio album by
Madi Das
LabelKulimela Association
ProducerDave Stringer

In 2017 the track "Shri Radhe" (featuring Chaytanya) was included on a compilation album called "Sri Ma: Chants of Divine Mother," released by White Swan Records[5] and the track "Bhaja Govindam" (featuring Jahnavi Harrison) was included on an Apple Music Yoga playlist.[6]

Bhakti Without Borders blends melodies from the East Indian Bhakti tradition with the folk, bluegrass and country elements of traditional American and Irish music. Madi Das sings a duet with a different female vocalist on each track.[7] Featured singers: Acyuta Gopi, Ananda-Amrita, Carmella Gitanjali Baynie, Chaytanya Nitai, Gaura Mani, Gaurangi, Jahnavi Harrison, Mallika Des Fours, Nalina Kaufman, Sudevi Devi Dasi & Tulsi Devi.

Being a charity album, all profits benefit underprivileged girls at the Sandipani Muni School in Vrindavan, India.[8] As of December 2017, approximately $23,000 had been contributed to assist 43 girls for one year's education.

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Shri Radhe - featuring Chaytanya"4:20
2."Jai Gurudev - featuring Tulsi Devi"5:40
3."Maha Mantra - featuring Sudevi Dasi"4:22
4."Jamuna Puline - featuring Acyuta Gopi"6:08
5."Namoh Maha - featuring Gaurangi"4:47
6."Jagannath - featuring Mallika Des Fours"5:44
7."Narasinghadev - featuring Nalina Kaufman"5:01
8."Radhe Jai - featuring Carmella Gitanjali Baynie & Ananda-Amrita"3:28
9."Sita Ram - featuring Gaura Mani"4:47
10."Bhaja Govindam - featuring Jahnavi Harrison"4:46

Personnel

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  • Madi Das: Lead Vocals
  • Acyuta Gopi, Ananda-Amrita, Carmella Gitanjali Baynie, Chaytanya Nitai, Gaura Mani, Gaurangi, Jahnavi Harrison, Mallika Des Fours, Nalina Kaufman, Sudevi Devi Dasi & Tulsi Devi: Featured singers
  • Dave Stringer: Guitar, Appalachian Dulcimer, Backing Vocals
  • Patrick Richey: Tabla, Cajon, Ghatam, Rebolo, Dumbek, Tavil, Giro, Shakers
  • Sheela Bringi: Harmonium, Bansuri
  • Shree Shyam: Bass
  • Matt Pszonak: Pedal Steel
  • Tulsi Devi: Violin

Recorded, edited and mixed by Krishan. Mastered by Stefan Heger. All songs written and arranged by Madi Das and Dave Stringer.

The record label is Kulimela Association.[9]

The album was produced by Dave Stringer.

Album Cover Art & Design: Evan Horback & Neha Agarwal.

Reception

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Grammy nominated Kirtan artist Jai Uttal raves about Bhakti Without Borders, "I love this CD! It's so full of light! A beautiful offering of heart, love, and soul."[10]

The Bhakti Beat adds, "Pure joy on every track. Sweet, mellifluous, nectar..."[11]

The Indian Eagle: "A euphoria that strikes strings of the heart and touches the depth of your soul."

Deva Premal: "Allow the beautiful voice and transcendent music of Madi Das to transport you, and support the education of young women in Vrindavan."

The Namaste Counsel: "This is the We Are The World for the Kirtan community and its global hues are inescapable."[12]

Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News: "One of the catchiest Kirtan albums you're likely to hear. Immaculate production by Dave Stringer with some of the best musicians on the Kirtan scene."[13]

References

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  1. ^ "'Bhakts without borders' score a Grammy nod - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  2. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  3. ^ a b "Best Yoga Music of the Year |2016 Grammys Yoga Playlist". Yoga Journal. 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  4. ^ Rose, Tori (2016-01-02). "THE TOP 20 CONSCIOUS MUSIC ALBUMS 2015 - Soul Traveller". Soul Traveller. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  5. ^ "Shri Radhe (Shri Ma Edit) Feat. Chaitanya, by Madi Das & Chaytanya". White Swan Records. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  6. ^ "Yoga - Apple Music Indian Music". playlists.applemusic.com. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  7. ^ "Mantra Meets Mainstream: Bhakti Titles & Artists Populate 2016 Grammys First Ballot, And We're Giving Them All Away (News; Contest)". The Bhakti Beat. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  8. ^ "Breaking News: 'Bhakti Without Borders' Nabs Grammys Nomination for Best New Age Album". The Bhakti Beat. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  9. ^ "Grammy Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  10. ^ "Bhakti Benefit for Vrindavan's Young Girls - The Namaste Counsel". The Namaste Counsel. 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  11. ^ "Breaking News: 'Bhakti Without Borders' Nabs Grammys Nomination for Best New Age Album". The Bhakti Beat. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  12. ^ "Bhakti Benefit for Vrindavan's Young Girls - The Namaste Counsel". The Namaste Counsel. 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  13. ^ "Bhakti Without Borders Album to Donate 100% of Profits to Underprivileged Brijabasi Children". ISKCON News. Retrieved 2017-01-18.