Wah - Opium

After doing a wonderful job of presenting Sanskrit chants and kirtans in a manner that would appeal to traditionalists and novice Western audiences alike, the chant world's talented beauty Wah! decided to switch gears a bit and have some fun with her next release. The result is OPIUM. Named after the poppy-derived substance used throughout history in various forms of medicine, OPIUM is a feel-good, pop-oriented album that strikes a balance between the spirituality of her Hindu chant work and the trendy, melody-driven nature of modern pop/jazz music. Produced by Herb Graham Jr. (producer of Macy Gray, among others), the album is mostly upbeat with thought-provoking lyrics, catchy rhythms and sensual vocals from Wah!.