While surfing the Internet looking for other music groups that might be involved in World Beat music projects which included a mix of traditional Indian music, soul, blues and gospel I found this compilation by Brian D’Souza! I am African-American by birth and upbringing but I feel that I am also Indian by my adoption of Bhakti Yoga and a devotee lifestyle (I am vegetarian, do not smoke, drink, etc). Nevertheless, I thought that the “gospel music” that I would hear would be more like the Black Gospel songs and sounds that I was brought up listening to and singing in my mother’s Baptist church.
But this compilation takes the word "gospel" at its full face value in that it redefines or rather enlarges the definition to include any type of music that spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ. The dictionary defines "gospel" as anything that speaks about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. So technically "Black Gospel" music is just a style and the "gospel" of Jesus Christ can also be presented in rock music, new age, heavy metal, etc.
In fact….. Brian D’Souza’s compilation is the confirmation that any type of music can be "gospel music" and the songs on this CD demonstrate the range and scope of these exceptional artists who as talented spirit souls are trying to express and share their spiritual realizations with anyone who takes the time to listen!
In conclusion I must say that this compilation is a job well done and an inspiration to artists such as myself who are working on projects to use traditional Indian music together with soul, blues, black gospel and a pinch of modern technology to create a innovative sound that is spiritual in both content ......and intent! I can only hope that our paths will… by God’s grace…. cross sometime in the near future!
Namaste! Hare Krsna!
Shirley Marie Bradby (MiraBai Devi Dasi)
JALEBI Music