For Your Consideration
Best New Age, Ambient, Chant Album
AUM AKUA
Joss Jaffe & Jim "Kimo" West
"Aum Akua presents a never before heard combination of unique instrumentation including Indian tablas, Hawaiian percussion, African ngoni, guitars, and ambient soundscapes." – JAZZIZ
"A stellar CD reminiscent of John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussein's ground-breaking work" – Thrive Global
"The instrumental piece is textured and jazzy and showcases the incredible playing of both men" – York Calling
"I’m taking a sonic trip to Hawaii by way of India and Africa, listening to a gorgeous album, Aum Akua" – The Art Connection
"Refreshing new music" – The Goodmen Project
"Likeable in every way – loveable, in fact – uplifting and positive" – New Age CDs
"Musicianship beyond compare" – New Age Reviews
"Most Enchanting" – Contemporary Fusion Reviews
"Its unique style feels like warm sunshine by a sparkling ocean or lake on a day when you have absolutely no deadlines or obligations." – Mainly Piano
Jim "Kimo" West, Joss Jaffe
ABOUT THE ALBUM
This gorgeous instrumental album, Aum Akua, is the latest from Grammy-winning slack-key and 40-year “Weird” Al Yankovic lead-guitarist Jim “Kimo” West and Billboard New Age Chart-topper Joss Jaffe.
The album presents a never-heard combination of instruments: Tabla drums of India, Hawaiian percussion, African Ngoni (harp), custom and rare guitars, and ambient soundscapes. The music at times feels like a tapestry of dreamy ambiance, Hawaiian music, African kora music, jazz, and world music reminiscent of the 70’s band Shakti with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussein, who the tabla player Joss counts as one of his primary teachers and with whom he has performed en ensemble.
From Joss on the meaning of the name, "Aum Akua is a play on words - aumakua is a Hawaiian word meaning "spirit animal" akua means god or spirit / life force. Aum is not a Hawaiian word but it is the ancient Sanskrit symbol Om. Jim and I loved this as it shows some our shared and unique musical backgrounds and how we are coming together making a unique blend of spiritual ambient world music."
Released by Be Why Music.
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This FYC page by Joss Jaffe Music has no influence over the, Selection of GRAMMY Award®, nominees or winners, and is not connected to or affiliated with the GRAMMY® or The Recording Academy ™
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Santa Barbara CA 93140