"Shiva Hari Om" written by Darren Burgess and Stephan Jordan, is rendered as a spirited, jazz fusion tune featuring Chaula's thick, layered Sanskrit vocals, guitars, and fretless bass, the drumming of John Hollenbeck (Meredith Monk, Mark Morris Dance Co., Bob Brookmeyer Big Band, some great backing English vocals by Bill Stoll, Time Brenner, and Bobby Sweet, and the soprano saxophone artistry of Erik Lawrence (Chico Hamilton Band, Spin Doctors, Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors).
"Hineni" and "Sch'ma" are evocative devotional chants written by Rabbi Shefa Gold and sung in Hebrew, featuring a choir of Chaula's rich voice over a pad of synthesizer and percussion instruments with Monika on Concert Harp.
The "Goddess Chant" is a Pagan melange of chants written by author Deena Metzger and Women's Spirituality Forum founder Z. Budapest, offered in a playful reggae arrangement that features John's fine set drumming, Chaula's bass guitar, and some tasty guitar fills by slide-guitar virtuoso David Tronzo (Lounge Lizards, John Hyatt), as well as a clever live/synth horn arrangement played by Erik and Chaula, and spirited backing vocals by Vikki True, Laura Reyes, and Brook Bury.
Vocal solo "O Pastor Animarum" is a Latin antiphon written in the 14th century by composer and mystic Hildegarde von Bingen (transcribed by Professor Pozzi Escot, president of the International Society of von Bingen).
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" is a Sanskrit chant sung in traditional Indian, call and response fashion by a great number of devotees in a huge room. Accompanied by harmonium, temple bells, finger cymbals, and tamboura, it captures the devotional feeling of sitting at the guru's feet in the ashram.
"Altogether One" features Chaula and a large group of women singing in call and response with an African drumming ensemble led by Nanak John DeKadt. It is a lively medley of chants, sung in English, with the heartfelt, prayerful style of native peoples. Authors include Windsong Diane Martin, British recording group Prana, and one yet unknown.
"O Ma Kali Ma" is a world-beat, trance, dance tune with soulful Sanskrit vocals by Chaula and MULTI-COLORED CHANT co-producer Bobby Sweet. This track features Chaula's bass and guitar work, Hollenbeck's drumming, and some intriguing musical interplay between pedal steel guitarist Peter Adams and Bobby Sweet's mandolin. Written by Mark Kelso.
The album closes with a most moving vocal performance of three traditional
"Sanskrit Prayers" sung and played by Chaula. This track is a spiritual
up-welling of the holiest of holies. There are no words to describe the
feeling conveyed in this 3 minute piece. You just have to hear it.