Govinda Album Review:
Govindas Magical Worlds Within at 2005-03-19
Wow....I dont think an album has entranced me this much since the first Enigma album from 1990....no, change that: since 1994s Pure by The Golden Palominos....Anyway, Im a total newbie to the music of Govinda (real name Shane OMadden). I came across Worlds Within while it was playing in a music store recently, and I was instantly hooked on it. This is a *fantastic* album: hypnotic, seductive, sensual, hypnotising, atmospheric....in other words, the kind of music I absolutely go for. The way Govinda weaves dub, electronica, world, pop, and new age into one glorious tapestry of music is just breathtaking. I cant even spotlight a single track for you: Worlds Within comes across to me like a single, 53-minute musical opus divided into twelve parts. All I can tell you is that this is magnificently sensual music. Govinda is a brilliantly talented musician, composer and producer, and I definitely plan to check out some more of his work. In the meantime, buy Worlds Within. Turn out the lights, and enjoy.
Govinda Album Review:
a place of refinement - Shane OMaddens magnum opus! at 2005-05-26
At last, GOVINDA (aka Shane OMadden), has polished up what he does best and combined it with what he loves the most to produce an absolutely stunning, glittering, dazzling, free fall spiraling through a dub haze of exotic and erotic electronica. I own (and love) all of the previous GOVINDA offerings to date, but I must say that this one and erotic rhythms are my favorites so far. Imagine erotic rhythms but with an even more lost, almost desolate place (or lack thereof) out of time / space, coupled with plenty of dubbed out samples of OMaddens violin, rhythmic chanting, and the like and you get the idea - a smoother, more modern, more polished version of the dub classic (erotic rhythms). A must-have if you enjoy ambient, dub, chill, downtempo, or any of the above.
Govinda Album Review:
Absolutely Mesmerizing at 2005-04-21
Spellbinding, primal, impelling and intoxicating. You will be compelled to quickly garner the other four and eagerly await future releases. Every CD is awesome. Only superlatives can describe this music. Highly addictive. Pure ecstasy.
Govinda Album Review:
Amazing Artist making Amazing Music at 2006-03-02
Ok..case point Govinda...the master of sensual groove poetry. For those of you who have not seen his live show or heard of him, this musician is truly gifted. Worlds Within is a perfect Govinda sound for those who want to hear what the hype is all about. The blend of electronica, worldbeat and mood make this artists music hip and stylish. I wish more people understood what Govinda was about. Listen, Hear, Tune In and you will know what i am talking about.
Govinda Album Review:
took me a while at 2006-01-11
I am embarrassed to admit I didnt see the genius of this at first listen.. but after a while I tossed it in into the CD drive and work and I really sat down with for an hour or so, and (like an epiphany) I realized its mesmerizing (in a good, beautiful way). I love this CD so much I have given it to 5 friends so they can enjoy the seductive, soulful beauty as much as I. Electric Gypsy. . . I could listen to just that track alone for hours but all are worth a listen. Amazing CD - I wish the whole world would get turned on to it (we all deserve a little beauty in our lives, after all)


Govinda Album Editorial:
Worlds Within is a deep dub groove based transglobal journey into the mysterious downtempo moods of Govinda. This exotic exploration weaves in and out of pure blissful electronica alongside worldbeat trip hop arrangements as sexy chilled beats create a backdrop for the inner musings of a true musical pioneer. Always pushing the envelope with his unique sound Govinda shares his creative talents as violinist poet and groove gypsy on this sound sculpted erotic caravan. PInfused with elements of the gypsy violin and sounds of far eastern passions this stylish foray into western modern music invites us into the worlds within of Govinda.

Govinda Album Review:
Not great at 2003-06-09
I bought this cd because I like world beat and electronica, but overall I thought it was not very interesting. It seemed to lag in parts where it should been more explosive, in terms of the groove. It made me fall asleep, which if it was what they were going for, they achieved it. My advice is to try Tangerine Dream.
Govinda Album Review:
its all good :-) at 2004-06-11
I first heard of Govinda on a Six Degees sampler entiled Asian Travels 2 - the song titled Slow Devotion. I thought this track is the bomb! ( which it is ); whos Govinda? Soon thereafter, I ordered Echoes of Eden as was not disappointed. Every song is a good one, and I have since bought Govindas three previous CDs as well - theyre all good. My favorite thing to do is put them all in my CD player and hit the shuffle button, blending all four CDs together, in a random order. Yes, there are slight differences among Govindas four CDs, but its all Shane OMalley, so its all good. I do notice there is less of his violin playing on Echoes of Eden, and that is missed somewhat, but its still him playing most of the other instruments as well. There does seem to be a little more violin in the earlier three CDs, a little more DJ/turntable flavor in the last two ( Govindas third CD, which blends together all these elements, might be the best one of the four: Erotic Mystics ), but they are all very good. But in general, its Govinda - hip hop-trip hop beats with a wonderful world/middle eastern flavor that is both unique and never boring. In many of the songs, youll find lovely vocals, and he rocks the sub woofer with the deep bass lines. So, in short, Id recommend buying them all (Echoes of Eden, Erotic Mystics, Entwined and Entranced, and O Earthly Gods ), put them in the CD changer, push the shuffle button, and enjoy :-)
Govinda Album Review:
Different does not equal Worse... at 2005-07-27
...strictly as a matter of definition.I promised myself not to review music anymore, but for this one I just gotta. This is one fantastic mix of sounds taken from many precedents without getting stuck in the cliche of the ethnic sound.I found this CD by accident at a neighborhood CD store, and so, yes, this is my FIRST exposure to Govinda. That means I do not know what hes supposed to really sound like. But now I am watching my radars for this guy. Let me point out something here: 9 out of 10 people who are introduced to a particular version of, say, Beethovens sonatas end up sticking with that particular version as the standard by which to judge all other versions...and often come off saying that their version rules. But this proves nothing: if anything, it proves that once your brain waves lock onto an assembly of frequencies and rhythms, your brain settles in for that particular assembly, thats all. It does not really reflect the quality of the music in any way.It so happens that I like this THIS sound of Govinda a lot...and waddya know, it so happens that I DO NOT particularly relish his earlier sounds -- but thats only because any ethnic sound (Indian being the only exception) thats not been sufficiently miscegenated and transmutated is not my thing. I think GOVINDA is really coming into his own and finding his own unique sound here. But I would not therefore say this CD is better. He moved on as all artists must, and it is what it is: the sound is very well-crafted, and not in any way does it give me the impression that it was put together without artistic sincerity. If its the presence of funky dubs that makes it bad, well then...This simply a wonderful blend of grooves to chill to: you can dance to it (if you must, but better if you) read to it, talk to it, make lub to it, stroke yo pussy(cat) to it...or you can just listen to it. Here, you can hear a little bit of the retro 70s soul a la Soul Ballet with the waka-waka-waka of thje wah-wah guitar mixed in with some muted trumpet reminiscent of M Davis Sketches of Spain... and then there is the groovelicious Indian and Arabic infusions....and the vocals on Cocoon! Who IS this girl? ...and many more. Really, one of the best sound collages ever, even without pretending to be more than what it is.A friend who dropped by the other day heard this CD -- Ive had on repeat for days -- and said WOW, WAZ DIS!? Now shes got it on repeat at her house. Whats real nice is that theres not a single dang track to skip.
Govinda Album Review:
An inspiring, entrancing, exotic and splendid masterpiece! at 2006-03-04
Upon becoming aware of the low ratings on here, I feel compelled to step in and defend this CD. I am appalled at the negative reviews that Ive been reading on this product. Okay, its a very different release from before but 2003s Echoes of Eden, Govindas fourth album is a wonderful and intoxicating release and ranks right up there with its predecessor Erotic Rhythms From Earth as a contender for my favorite release so far. Echoes of Eden is a major change in sound from their/his previous three albums with a lot of the violins being replaced by electronic dubs and hip-hop themed beats. Even its predecessor has a different style in many ways. As I listened to this and Shane OMaddens medieval sounding debut O Earthly Gods, its hard to believe that these two albums are actually by the same artist. While I was late on purchasing it and already had O Earthly Gods I was shocked when I first heard Echoes of Eden. While continuing the legacy of Erotic Rhythms, this CD sometimes occasionally brings back the creepiness of O Earthly Gods especially on some of the interludes. Bells In The Back although little more than just low-pitched chimes and crows in the background, feels just like the eerie moments that defined the beginning of Entwined but unfortunately just fades away but who knows what it couldve been had Bells been a full-length track. Oh Well. Beginning part of Hypnotic also is spooky and very haunting, until it becomes a very hip-hop like track with old school R and B rhythms combined with a very strange melody. My favorite track on this CD without a doubt is the third track entitled Matter. The song begins with some video game sound effects and ethnic voices done with dubbing effects, followed by an amplified Arab flute and eerie melody before becoming a fast-paced song with an excellent rhythm, strange melody and an overall hazy sunset afternoon/evening mood. This album ironically includes two 2003 versions of Organic Beauty and Tu MAimes reworked and remixed but neither ranks up to the original versions on Erotic Rhythms On Earth but Organic Beauty in my opinion is better done and slightly updated and thus results in a very good remix but neither can touch the original versions. Whether they succeed or fail, its actually really interesting to see artists rework old songs and totally redo them on later albums. Ghost In The Garden has a haunting distant echoing chant and ambient melody in the background.
Govinda Album Review:
Different... VERY different... at 2004-02-18
It pains me to give one of my absolute favorite groups an average rating such as this but even now I think Im being generous. I simply feel that Echoes of Eden sounds rushed and uninspired. Unlike the innovative and erotic works of Entwined and Entranced, Oh Earthly Gods and even Erotic Rhythms From Earth where you begin to hear the changes happening, Echoes Of Eden seems bland in comparison and can even be boring because of repetitive rhythms. Shane OMadden is a musical genius and Ill always respect whatever he does but since I had to buy two copies due to missing tracks on the independent release back in 2002, which makes this as aggravating as it is a let down, Im very disappointed in his latest effort. Im unclear on whether Shane left of his own accord or if Earthtone dropped him because he wanted to delve further into the electronic scene but, if thats the case, than Im begging Govinda to reclaim their older, familiar style or to step back into the shadows for a while to practice on honing your skills. Im guessing since they signed their name over to Water Music the big guys hurried him in creating new material, which is often the case when an artist switches record labels. But, then again, I do, however, appreciate the dreamy vocals of Chrysta Bell (Shanes wife) and Jennifer Folker whom I was thrilled to see on here because I loved her contribution to Banco de Gaias Obsidian. She only sings on So Much To Give while Chrysta appears on From My Cocoon, Like I Do and the remix of Tu MAimes but theyre undeniably the best songs featured, making this otherwise insipid album actually worth buying if your a die-hard fan like me. I do like the teasing hint of what were used to hearing from Govinda on the haunting Raga and the washy wah guitars on Hypnotic but missing here is Shanes signature violin playing, which is replaced with funky dance beats, deep bass, Eastern dubs and Indian vocalizations. I admit, he finds the groove and is able to make it work sometimes but he mostly achieves a watered-down Karsh Kale rip-off. And trust me, it saddens me to do anything but praise this mans amazing talents. I suppose hes just lost in finding a new niche for himself. On the up side, this isnt a complete disaster... It could have been a lot worse.