Review: White Sun II by White Sun

After enjoying the previous album I was pleased to be asked to review this latest offering called White Sun II. From the very first chord played, from the very first words sung, I could feel such a sweet beautiful energy flowing all around me; this was going to be another journey of musical bliss.

Gobinday Mukunday starts us on our path. Gurujas has the voice of beauty, but the percussion and pace, tempo and determination of this astoundingly powerful track was wonderful to be a part of and created such a superb mood to open the album with, also take a listen to the stunning skills of Mamadou Diabate on Kora.

The smooth transition into the layered and textured composition called Ajai Alai was seamless, there was something familiar about this piece, its melody was very memorable, but equally charming. Gurujas here was at her very best and created a really serene flow to the arrangement with her delicious vocals, while the steady rhythm on Tabla was well crafted by Abhiman Kaushal.

Next up we come across Chattra Chakkra Varti, take some time dear reader, listen to the music, but allow your senses to flow with the natural resonance of this quite heavenly track, Gurujas has an amazing way of delivering her vocals, which is almost hypnotic in style and that method virtually makes time irrelevant when listening to them.

The shortest piece on the album is called Simro Gobind, but it has the most attractive melody and also contains some fine examples of multi instrumentational performance; the skills of Adam Berry on guitar and Bass here are sublime and a good example.

As we approach the half way point in the album we come across the offering called Suniai. Here is a piece that has a really new age essence about it, a smooth, almost world music inspired beat and of course those ever present soothing vocals of Gurujas.

Aap Sahaee Hoa Har Har Har is now upon us, I really drew an affinity with this one, and from the very beginning this track had a real sense of ambience about it that I found most appealing. Gurujas style here shows just how much music can weave a web for all of us upon the planet, there is always something for everyone in music and perhaps even in this track too? A little world global fusion mixed with a slight hint of the Celtic can be found here as well.

This is an album dear listener, that you will want to keep going back to many times over, there is so much in this creation, you may miss something the first time around, take Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur as an example of that statement, The strings of Gabe Witcher are particularly haunting and the constant driving mantra of Gurujas manifests what in my opinion, is the best track off the album.

I love the art work on the release as well, I am a big fan of Mandala’s, that and the use of colour really captures the potential listeners gaze, as the music captures the music lovers hearts, much like these next two tracks one called Akal instrumental and Akal. The tone of the guitar and Kora were so easy to listen to and created a really wonderful vista, and images of a new world of peace and love and the sunrise of a new glorious day were easy to visualise. When Gurujas and her multi layered vocals joined, there was a distinct feeling of a hymn for a new dawn; this has to be one of the most radiant tracks from the album.

Hummee Hum is our penultimate composition dear reader and almost has a little folk rock ethic in it as well. White Sun are truly a remarkable outfit and seemingly can adapt to using various styles, but be so very subtle in doing so. Utilising the ranks of the Gospel Singers incorporated on this offering was simply a touch of sublime genius; it added a luscious extra dimension to an already great arrangement.

So we arrive at the end of another recording by White Sun, this last track is named Ik Ardas Wahe Guru. Listen to the gentle and almost caressing bass here, allow Gurujas and her song to bring you that little closer to that inner peace you search for and enjoy this last track off the album, an album that has such beauty and radiance, a release of supreme quality. Ik Ardas Wahe Guru is the longest track off the release and I for one am very glad it is, it shows just what a simply magnificent group White Sun are and the talents they use to bring us a perfect last piece off the album, are never emphasised more than right here.

White Sun II is a real bar raiser, it’s an album of great charm and beauty, and it’s a release that really needs to be given a chance. By missing out on this album, you will have missed out on wonderful musicianship and some of the finest vocal work you will have heard for quite some time. White Sun II is more than simply a devotional album, its radiance and love and will caress those who have an open heart and mind and a good taste in music.