Anjani  (Audio CD) 
by Anjani Thomas

Alluring. Sophisticated. Spirited. Timeless. The self-titled CD by acclaimed artist, Anjani is a mesmerizing collection of original acoustic, smooth jazz, and world music.

Anjani takes you on an intimate journey of revelation and celebration, portraying affairs of the heart with vision and integrity, in this self-produced work. She generates an aura of compassion, through astute lyrics that are convincing and uplifting, never banal or predictable. The ultimate reward of this project is a soothing, compelling affirmation of unconditional love.

What sets Anjani apart from other vocally blessed singer/songwriters, is her mastery of the keyboard. In the words of one reviewer, “The arrangement on this song (Ain’t Foolin’ No One) is so subtle and well filled out, it is a while before you realize it is only voice and piano, with no other accompanying instruments.”

Critics will laud this debut for the deft handling of diverse musical genres. From “Here and Now,” an acoustic soundtrack for life, to the jazz torch ballad, “Over You,” to the ki ho’alu (slack key guitar) sound of “Kanaloa,” a duet in Hawaiian featuring Henry Kapono; every tune is an unexpectedly refreshing offering that reaches far beyond ordinary pop fare.

Fusion jazz virtuoso, Frank Gambale plays acoustic guitar on five cuts, most notably the latin tinged samba, “Ties That Bind.” A world class rhythm section provides sensitive embellishment to these highly crafted songs. The results are simply stellar--instrumentation never gets in the way of the celestial voice or its message, yet all tracks are sonically balanced.