Hamsa Lila was voted by the members and visitors of Universe Spirit as our May/June Musical Artists of the month.
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Rich in polyethnic percussion and complex rhythmic grooves, this global trance music draws listeners into the creation fo new multicultural, mostly dance-based rituals...Hamsa Lila draws inspiration from the cosmologies of the Gnawan and Yoruban peoples of Africa, Buddhist mantras, African proverbs, and even T. S. Eliot and Frank Lloyd Wright (whose quote "I believe in God, only I spell it N-a-t-u-r-e" is cited in the liner notes). [Hamsa Lila] weave beguiling multilayered chants through an airy and sometimes bristling acoustic-electric mix than pulsates at the bottom end like a rock band. For a group fashioned at least in part to move and mesmerize audiences at jam band concerts, Hamsa Lila beautifully embodies its African, Indian, and Caribbean influences on a recording that pleases the head as much as it moves the body. |
Inspiration & Intention
Hamsa Lila is inspired by earthy trance grooves from a variety of cultures, including North and West Africa, the Americas, India and the Caribbean.
Through Acoustic Trance, Hamsa Lila presents traditional and originally composed material set within a new creative ritual of celebration, while honoring the ancestors and the spirit of indigenous music.
The Sounds
Blending the rootsy sound of the bass-like camel-skinned Guimbri from Jajouka, these two instruments from Morocco create resonant grooves that spiral around West African drums, while ethereal Flutes, Worldwinds and the impassioned soul waking sounds of the Saxophone weave through powerful male and female vocal chants and lush harmonies. The songs contain mesmerizing and trance inducing rhythms and melodies, producing an atmosphere of Euphoria.
The Show
A feast for the senses blending colors, incense, costuming and imagery (slides, video & shadow) along with belly dance, African dance, Capoiera artists, fire dancers and contact improv.
The Meaning of Hamsa Lila
hamsa - an ancient amulet shared by both Arabic and Hebrew traditions representing the hand and the number 5, used for greeting & magical protection of the 5 senses. Hamsa in Sanskrit means swan and refers to Divine Breath.
lila - A night ritual of Gnawa people of Morocco. The Lila is a rich ceremony that follows a path through the night whose road is marked in the sensory realms of sound (music, song), sight (colors), smells (incense) and movement (dance). This musical ritual enables participants to enter a trance state of healing purification in which they may perform startling and spectacular dances. Lila in Sanskrit is the Cosmic Play.
For more info about Hamsa Lila or to listen to music samples go to http://www.hamsalila.com
Click here for more about our Artist of the Month award criteria or to vote for next month’s Artists of the Month.
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