19 June 2012

CD Review: Kenny G And Rahul Sharma - Namaste

I recently received a copy of the new CD from Kenny G and Rahul Sharma called Namaste to review.


This collaboration between Kenny G and Rahul Sharma, a native of India’s Kashmir region and a third-generation master of the exotic, 100-string santoor, is a little different from past Kenny G offerings. (You may recall a past review I did of Heart And Soul, several years ago) I wasn't quite sure what to expect - the artists seemed as different as night and day to me.

The first track on the album, "Namaste", was remixed by Kid Tricky. I'm not sure die hard fans of Kenny G will love this CD, but if you're a fan of Eastern music, you may enjoy the collabration. Thanks to Rahul Sharma, it has a different vibe than most music on the adult contemporary charts these days. It's much more upbeat and yet, at the same time, relaxing.

Here's the official track listing:

1. "Namaste"
2. "Brhama-Vishnu-Shiva"
3. "Dance Of The Elephant"
4. "Lotus Lovers"
5. "Transcendental Consciousness"
6. "Valley Of Flowers"
7. "Silsila"
8. "Om Shanti"
9. "Transcendental Consciousness" (Walter A. Remix)
10. "Namaste" (Soul Seekerz Club Mix)


My favorite off the CD was "Dance Of The Elephant". Honestly, I found myself wanting more Rahul Sharma and less Kenny G. I also felt like the remixes were trying to reach out to a different audience that probably isn't as receptive to Kenny G as his core audience. I know my musical taste tends to be a little more eccentric than others, so your opinion may vary from mine. If you're looking for a little something different to listen to while relaxing, or having a nice dinner at home, you might want to check out Namaste.

The Kenny G and Rahul Sharma Namaste will be available next Tuesday, June 26th, wherever CDs are sold. You'll also be able to download the tracks off sites like iTunes. The CD is available for pre-order on Amazon for $9.99 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this CD in order to listen to it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

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