Music: Bringing Light into Dark Places with Yoga in the Nightclub, by Rishi Gerald

It is pretty awesome having so much sunlight these days. It feels invigorating, energizing, and full of possibility. This month’s theme is on luminosity and light. On a beautiful, long spring day, I am pleased to review a record that is sonically luminous: Parvati’s new album “YIN: Yoga In the Nightclub”, exclusively available at the Positive Possibilities store.

As soon as you pick up the album, you are already touched by luminosity. Parvati seems to shine out of the dark in the album’s front cover photograph, taken by the talented Toronto-based photographer Eric Benchimol.


So much stands out about this record. It is beautiful from beginning to end. It is heartfelt, showing an artistic sincerity which moves the listener. It is both light and deep, profoundly still and full of movement. After a listen, there are addictive grooves and melodies that linger on throughout the day in your head, which make you feel good. The hooks are not generic, but are captivating enough that even after the first listen, you find yourself wanting to hear the album again and again.

This record demonstrates an artist reaching a rare maturity. One of the things that stands out about this record is the production value. It is a beautifully arranged record where every track, every sound and every vocal part seem to have a purpose. It is rich, textually deep and balanced, full of electronic symphonic magnificence, which keep you engaged and inspired.

Although this record was intended as a casual nod to Parvati’s yogic roots, the album reaches far beyond the yoga community. This album will appeal especially to both electronic dance music lovers and those who are passionate about devotional music.

The album showcases an artist who brings the sacred to trance and electronic dance music. Each song takes you on a journey, be it through lush sonic landscapes, heavily angelic vocals, or shamanic dance grooves. Parvati beautifully weaves English original lyrics with traditional Sanskrit chants designed to pay homage to the Divine Mother in a modern and cool way. Some tracks, like The 108 Names of Parvati Devi, would fit perfectly in a packed dance club mixed in a set alongside Chicane, Above and Beyond and Faithless. Vocally, the work is as intimate and as pure as the songs of Snatam Kaur.

Each track stands on its own. But as an album, it feels like one continuous piece that starts off with The Birth of Lakshmi and ends with Closing Prayers. In between, it rises to a luminous dance crescendo with the track Natamba’s Theme (I Am Light), that then leaves you still, listening to your heart beat in the track appropriately called “Heartbeat”.

The opening track Shanti is a gorgeous pop song that is a call to world peace. The heart-melting song Sri Gurupaduka Stotram, sung to Parvati’s guru Amma, is magnificently tender and pure. The album’s title is named after the single Yoga In the Nightclub, which is about bringing light into dark places.

Parvati is a rare artist who is bringing much-needed consciousness to the electronic dance music and pop scenes. She is currently touring this new album through the US this spring and summer. You can listen to the tracks at the Yoga in the Nightclub website.

Rishi Gerald is the CEO of Kupid’s Play Records. He describes Kupid’s Play like this: “Kupid’s Play is the Sound of the I Am Revolution. As an international record label devoted to raising global consciousness we bring awakened artists to the commercial mainstream. Our vision extends beyond a traditional record label. We know impossibilities are not real and build non-traditional revenue models by embracing new technologies in the current economic landscape. We know music is everywhere. Kupid’s Play actively seeks out creative opportunities to get its artists’ music to their fans in new ways ensuring that the Sound of the I Am Revolution is heard.” With two decades of experience in the music industry, Rishi has been nominated for numerous marketing awards and earned a Gold Record in the music industry for management.