The Hanumen bring you an unforgettable sound of world music, mystic poetry, and mantra chanting — a musical journey to the deepest parts of the soul.
A percussionist & mystic poet, a world-class kirtan leader & storyteller, a bassist with a huge heart and groove to match, and a multi-instrumentalist create a totally unique improvisational sound, playing a wide range of traditional World instruments with a sensibility that is instantly accessible to Western audiences.
The Hanumen create a soulful and ecstatic celebration combining Naada Yoga (the yoga of sacred sound and vibration) and Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of love and devotion in complete surrender), delivering a mesmerizing set of chanting, world rhythm, poignant stories, and mystic poetry.
Named after Hanuman, a brave monkey featured in South Asian legends, The Hanumen are: John de Kadt, Gaura Vani, Purusartha Dasa, Benjy Wertheimer, and Jahnavi Harrison.
This album was recorded live in Portland, Oregon. Four of us sat in the room and played these songs until they felt right. Most of what you hear is exactly how it went down. We also wanted to include friends from as far away as London who couldn’t physically be there, so we invited them in using “modern technological wizardry.” Many albums these days are made in a pretty sterile studio environment. Our process is old-school. It allowed us to capture the live energy that is so vital to the “Hanumen Experience.”
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“The stunning debut release from The Hanumen blends chanting, poetry, world music, and storytelling into a magical brew of sacred love songs. The band creates an inspiring musical unity from diverse spiritual and musical traditions.
“Touching on themes of grief, love, and devotion, the songs on this self-titled album include a zydeco-style ‘Hare Krishna’ chant; a 10-minute hymn-like love song called ‘Come Dance With Me,’ inspired by a Sufi poem, and an epic rendition of the African American spiritual, ‘Wade in the Water.’ The latter weaves in poetry from Rumi, a chant to Krishna, and Benjy’s bluesy, baritone rendition of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,’ while instruments, including the hang (a metal hand drum), violin, and clarinet, add rhythm and melody.
“Driven by Gaura Vani’s tender, tenor voice, every song the band performs pulls at the heartstrings. The Hanumen provides a mellow yet uplifting soundtrack for yoga and relaxation, and may even move some listeners to raise their own voices in melodic prayer.”
– November 2013 Yoga Journal, Shannon Sexton
credits
released June 24, 2013
Musicians
• John de Kadt - Spoken word, cajon, hang-drum, kanjira, frame drum, shaker, jokes, percussion, ghatam, backing vocals
• Benjy Wertheimer - Vocals, esraj, tabla, classical and steel-string guitar, shakers, puns, percussion, congas, keyboards, claps, snaps
• Jahnavi Harrison - Vocals, violin, vindaloo
• Gaura Vani - Vocals, harmonium, guitar, shaker, shaking, claps
• Puru Sadkin - Bass, percussion, Gita classes, backing vocals
• Steve Gorn - Clarinet, bansuri flute, brotherly love
• Todd Keller - Electric guitar on “I Love You” & “Govinda”
Singers
• Devi Choir - Peia Jessyka Luzzi, Janna Hearn
• Kirtan Soul Revival - Todd Keller, Calia Marshall, Helen Styring Tocci
• Oregon Choir - Lisa Mae Osborn, Molly Padulo, Sean Frenette, Lindsey Stormo, Heather Wertheimer, John Conley, Michael Stirling, Lynea Gillen
Recording & Production
• Benjy Wertheimer - Recording & Mixing
• Gaura Vani - Additional Recording & Production Support
• Cass Anawaty - Mastering
• Mark Kelso - Recording poetry for “Wade in the Water”
• Todd Keller - Recording KSR Choir
Design
• Gaura Vani Buchwald - cover design and photo
Benjy Wertheimer is an award-winning musician, composer, vocalist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist equally accomplished
on tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards. Benjy has produced 20 CDs since 2000, which receive extensive airplay around the world, and his CD Circle of Fire went to #1 on the New Age radio charts....more
A heart-opening journey into sacred chant that takes the listener from ancient to contemporary, from India and Bali to Gregorian chant, and from rocking celebration to the deepest meditation. Benjy Wertheimer
Sri invites the listener to sing along in spiritual practice of the ancient yoga of sacred chanting (kirtan), or to simply resonate in the sacred ambiance created by the album. Benjy Wertheimer
A beautiful blend of gentle mantras to carry the listener into the depths of yoga practice, chanting, and relaxation. The music creates a sense of calmness, centering, and peace. Benjy Wertheimer