Devaloka

I am so grateful for the love and caring that these beautiful musicians have put into this album. Every song is full of heart. Each track is carefully and lovingly expressed. Their commitment to kirtan is clear and resolute. Such a pleasure from start to finish and with arrangements I would not have expected. I listen over and over because each song brings me peace.

This wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but the music is interesting and so are the lyrics. All in all, this is a pretty good album.

I have been a fan of Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band for many years beginning in the humble days of the Monday night Kirtans at Sean's studio in New Orleans and have followed their work by buying each of their albums. This is by far the best album to date and ranks as not only the best Kirtan album I have but one of the best albums that I own in any genre. The harmonies and rhythms are beautiful, varied, intricate and interesting yet invite you to sing along the way Kirtan was intended. I find myself singing the songs over and over even when not listening to the album. If you are a Kirtan fan, I strongly suggest buying this recording. It is truely prayer as song.

Sean Johnson is becoming increasingly familiar to kirtan fans in the Bay area. His regular appearances from The City to the East Bay have built a loyal and growing following. But even with a couple prior releases and critical acclaim, nothing could have prepared any of us for the utter excellence in musicianship and the heartfelt outpouring of soul meets spirit that is contained in his new "Devaloka" CD on Nutone Records. It's a veritable kirtan cauldron of simmering, bubbling, delectable chants that fluidly traverse the myriad of musical styles he brings to the stage. Sean's passionate, sweet songs are the ideal balance of magically melodic flow for the rhythm-driven tracks that are sprinkled throughout. Hailing from New Orleans, his Wild Lotus Band trio has claimed a second home in the Bay area. And the gumbo feeling they bring from the gulf jives well with the musical blendings that bring to mind Grateful Dead jams, a little Santana spice in the percussion section, and an all around endearing space that draws you in with each listen. Sean holds steady space with his moving harmonium playing and enlivened vocals, while multi-talented percussionist Gwendolyn Colman, who adds her voice in a distinctive kirtan framework, works out on everything from frame drum to kalimba, udu to cajon, doumbek, karkab and assorted funky grooves with an urban flare. Guitarist and fretless bass player Alvin Young, like Sean a New Orleans native, really turns it up on a couple tracks, notably the rave up "Ram Sita Ram", and tastefully adds precise fills to most of the others. Another highlight is “Om Hari Om/Sharanam Ganesha” where the sacred beauty of the mantras is matched with Sean’s voice and gentle acoustic instrumentation. All in all, it's understandable why other chanting luminaries like Jai Uttal are so eager to endorse this group, as Sean manages to spread his bayou magic from ocean to ocean, inside and out. In Jai's words, "Sean's voice is a warm soothing river of serenity". Diving right in is the recommended plan.--Lloyd Barde, Music Editor, Common Ground Magazine, San Francisco