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Ananta - Night and Daydream
Touchstone Sound Recordings
Side One:
Vrindavan
Behind the Mask
Causal Ocean
Home Sweet Home
Wheel of Time
Side Two:
The Game
Be With You
Fill Your Heart and Mind
Night and Daydream
This is one of those records in my collection to which I am not very attached. I have no recollection as to when or where I obtained this album. It must've been in a lot of records purchased at a garage sale or thrift store. It's an interesting record to say the least. The band, formed in London and fronted by Israeli born, Venezuelan multi-instrumentalist Ilan Chester, takes it's name, "Ananta" from the Sanskrit word that means "infinite or without end" which is also one of the names for the Hindu god, Vishnu. Looking closely at the liner notes on the back of the album, one finds that the recording was a benefit record and that the musicians who performed on the record received no pay for their involvement. It isn't stated what the sales of the recording benefit, however due to the Hare Krishna heavy lyrics and the copyright mark on the back of the sleeve, ©1978 ISKCON Inc., it seems obvious that the recording was to benefit ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, more widely known as the Hare Krishna movement.
The sound of the record is very much of the late 70's - a driving but mellow Prog, Funk, Jazz, World Music fusion - Like a cross between Steely Dan, Zappa, Jethro Tull, Yes, Santana and late 70's George Harrison. In fact, Harrison even receives special thanks on the sleeve alongside a couple other big names:
"For their inspiration and help with our worldwide projects, special thanks to George Harrison, Neil Diamond, Bob Marley"
My copy has a "promotional copy" sticker on the back and the label on the actual record is very basic, black text on white sticker. It's a good sounding record with varied and interesting songs and though, on paper, it seems to be a record that would really resonate with me due to my interest in the Eastern subject matter and the genre defying approach to the sounds, I find my attention wandering early on. This is one that I wouldn't mind selling or trading.
Check out this playlist on Youtube to listen to the album in it's entirety.
