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Soul Of The Esraj is a musical canvas for the practices of healing arts, hatha yoga and meditation.

While the album has its roots in the classical music of North India, many elements of New Age and contemporary ambient musical styles have been included to build a multifaceted soundscape for each listener's spiritual journey. It is Benjy's hope and prayer that Soul Of The Esraj will prove to be a steady and soulful companion to each listener on their path through this precious gift of life.

The pieces on the CD feature the esraj (an instrument from North India that resembles a small sitar but is played with a bow) accompanied by instruments from around the world, including bass flute, Celtic harp, viola da gamba, voice, and guitar. Indian classical ragas (ancient melodic forms) are associated with a particular time of day, and the selections on flow through a sequence based on the ragas from which they are derived.

"When I listen to Benjy play the esraj it transports me beyond the Beyond. Soul Of The Esraj is a must-have CD for all yoga practitioners." - John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga

We find a home here, a place to rest and a haven from the storms on the ocean of this world. This is not just music, it is prayer."
- Krishna Das

Artist Bio:

An award-winning musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (playing tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards), Benjy Wertheimer has toured the US, Canada, Europe, Central America and Japan, and has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. A founding member of the groundbreaking Ancient Future World Fusion Music Ensemble, he now tours and records regularly with such artists as Krishna Das and Deva Premal. He studied Indian classical music for over 25 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar).

Product SKU: AH-248-72-SOULOF