Prince Rama – “Trust Now” – [Paw Tracks]

lombard   2/21/2012   A Library, CD

Sisters Taraka and Nimai Larson are the Brooklyn duo Prince Rama. On this 2011 release (their 5th), “Trust Now,” they paint a mystical portrait influenced by a range of influences including art school and a Hare Krishna farm. Recorded in Seattle at a 19th century church, the album has a swirling, exotic Eastern sound full of bells twinkling along with the drone of chants and buzz. Synthesizer grounds it all and gamelan adds a lovely touch. Surprisingly, the album starts with gospel-like vocals (ooo, yeah, yeah, yeah!) that jolt the listener to attention, but from there is progresses into so many different spaces that might remind one of Bollywood soundtracks in one moment and the dark introspective spaces inhabited by Marianne Nowottny in another.