Wynne Paris-Worldbeat Musician and Producer

From the Yoga Journal

The three man-band Groovananda puts a rockin’ new spin on Kirtan music with OMSPUN, the group’s first full-length album. Yoga troubadour Wynne Paris provides vocals and strings ( from the guitar and a 26 stringed instrument called the sarod), J.T Thomas, a member of the Bruce Hornsby Band, plays the organ and keys; and (surprise!) Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen provides percussion. Now more likely to be pouring on the Bhakti (loving devotion) than the sugar, Allen’s drumming continues to amaze. Although he lost his left arm in a car accident back in 1984, you’d never know it from listening to the album.

Groovananda’s unique blend of jazzy, jam-band rock and kirtan shines in the very first track, “ Ganesha Rocks.” "By George” is an elegant version of the Hare Krishna mantra and a melodious tribute to the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison, who rocked the western world with his “Hare Krishna Mantra” single back in 1969. The closing track, “Gospel Jamkirtana” perhaps best embodies the musically and spiritually inclusive Groovananda sound, with it’s rousing blend of gospel, rock, and chant.

Kirtan superstars Krishna Das and Dave Stringer lend their distinctive voices to the party and are joined by a talented chorus. True to their name, Groovananda (which means ‘ the bliss of the groove’) makes mood-enhancing mantra music that will have you up off your seat and dancing in no time. K.R.



	From the Yoga Journal The three man-band Groovananda puts a rockin’ new spin on Kirtan music with OMSPUN, the group’s first full-length album. Yoga troubadour Wynne Paris provides vocals and strings ( from the guitar and a 26 stringed instrument called the sarod), J.T Thomas, a member of the Bruce Hornsby Band, plays the organ and keys; and (surprise!) Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen provides percussion. Now more likely to be pouring on the Bhakti (loving devotion) than the sugar, Allen’s drumming continues to amaze. Although he lost his left arm in a car accident back in 1984, you’d never know it from listening to the album. Groovananda’s unique blend of jazzy, jam-band rock and kirtan shines in the very first track, “ Ganesha Rocks.” "By George” is an elegant version of the Hare Krishna mantra and a melodious tribute to the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison, who rocked the western world with his “Hare Krishna Mantra” single back in 1969. The closing track, “Gospel Jamkirtana” perhaps best embodies the musically and spiritually inclusive Groovananda sound, with it’s rousing blend of gospel, rock, and chant. Kirtan superstars Krishna Das and Dave Stringer lend their distinctive voices to the party and are joined by a talented chorus. True to their name, Groovananda (which means ‘ the bliss of the groove’) makes mood-enhancing mantra music that will have you up off your seat and dancing in no time. K.R.