CD Reviews: Jetsunma

Jetsunma

Revolution Of Compassion – 2007, Blinded By View Productions
Delog – 2007, Blinded By View Productions
Ellinwood Ranch Blues – 2008, Blinded By View Productions

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, nee Alyce Zeoli of Brooklyn, NY, is a musician, songwriter, singer and a lineage holder in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Her press materials indicate a slew of influences from Tim Buckley, Grace Slick and Crosby, Stills & Nash to Mos Def and Morcheeba. Jetsunma views music as an agent of change, something that reaches the almost primitive aspects of who we are and what we feel. I received three recordings from this artist for review and included them all here.


Revolution of Compassion: This is the most interesting recording of the three for me. Revolution of Compassion is comprised of Buddhist chanting and then variations on that chanting set to trip-hop and mellow house beats. The recording is quite striking but disturbing at the same time. This is the most interesting and unique of the three recordings from Jetsunma, although after several listens I still haven’t decided whether I like it or not. Either way, Revolution of Compassion definitely sticks out in the mind after you’ve heard it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Delog: A mish-mash of mellow beats, fuzzy electronics and some chants. I found this very difficult to listen to, as the musical sounds are quite jarring, although I suspect that is part of the artifice here. This is emotionally disturbing music.

Rating; 2 Stars (Out of 5)

Ellinwood Ranch Blues: Meandering rock with a new music mentality. Jetsunma eschews traditional melody/harmony for a sonic coexistence of sounds. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, an interesting work.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jetsunma at www.jetsunmamusic.com. You can purchase copies of Revolution of Compassion at www.cdbaby.com/jesunma2. You can purchase copies of Delog at www.cdbaby.com/jetsunma3. You can purchase copies of Ellinwood Ranch Blues at www.cdbaby.com/jetsunma4.