{"product_id":"anjani","title":"Anjani","description":"About the Artist\n\nAnjani’s compositions contain many references to nature, reflecting her upbringing in the tropical, verdant, multi-cultured paradise of Hawaii. Raised by parents who encouraged her interest in music, Anjani was teaching classical piano by the age of fifteen. This eventually led to a career as a keyboardist for a number of Waikiki’s top R\u0026amp;B, jazz and pop artists.\nLeonard Cohen, Canada's poet laureate and folk singing icon, calls Anjani's first solo effort, \"exotic, dreamy, and hypnotic.\" He has attributed her seminal vocal work on his landmark album, \"I'm Your Man\" as one reason it appeared on so many critic’s recent lists for \"Ten Best Records of the Decade.\"\nWith vast experience as a singer, songwriter and keyboardist, Anjani can also be heard on records by noted jazz artists Frank Gambale, Osamu Kitajima, and Carl Anderson. Anderson waxed poetically on her music, saying, \"Anjani is the wind and the sun at its soft edges, where shadows merge with light.\"\nAnjani’s musical quest has also encompassed the music of her mother’s native heritage; as can be heard in the simultaneous release of her CD, \"Okinawa Time\" by Concept Music International.\n\nProduct Description\n\nAlluring. Sophisticated. Spirited. Timeless. The new CD by acclaimed artist, Anjani is a mesmerizing collection of original songs with elements of acoustic, smooth jazz, and world music. The exquisite dance through passionate love and human frailty, to a state of inner peace and acceptance, is beautifully expressed in this long awaited release. Anjani portrays affairs of the heart with vision and integrity, in this intimate, revealing, 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.' From 'Here and Now,' an acoustic soundtrack for life, to the classic style torch ballad, 'Over You,' to the ki ho'alu (slack key guitar) sound of 'Kanaloa,' a duet featuring Henry Kapono; every tune is an unexpectedly refreshing offering that reaches far beyond ordinary pop fare. Anjani's compositions contain many references to nature, reflecting her upbringing in the tropical, verdant, multi-cultured paradise of Hawaii. A world class rhythm section provides sensitive embellishment to these highly crafted songs. Distinguished fusion jazz virtuoso, Frank Gambale plays acoustic guitar on five cuts, most notably the latin tinged samba, 'Ties That Bind.' Leonard Cohen calls Anjani, '...a world class singer with an unforgettable voice.' Anjani has performed with Cohen since 1984, when she sang background vocals on his hallmark tune, Hallelujah. Their most recent collaboration is Blue Alert (2006 Columbia Records, produced by Leonard Cohen), ten bittersweet lovesongs featuring Cohen's lyrics with music, arrangements and vocals by Anjani.\n\nReview\n\nAnjani says, For years I wanted to do a record but I never got beyond the dream state. Lovers of enchanting ballads and heartfelt, sensuous imagery woven into wonderfully crafted songs, will be glad this artist started putting her dreams down onto disc. On one of the finest cuts, How I Love You, the mood is slow and mesmeric with gradual build-ups to, Wonder, magic, wild abandon, dance of passion There are several of these before we are brought to ground again, with the knowing melancholia of the final line: Time will tell me, how you love me. There is an ethereal, other worldly quality running through many of these songs, and moments of homespun philosophy too. There are no bad tracks and all the songs are well crafted poetic statements. There is a maturity about this work that belies its debut status. The song arrangements and lyrics are obviously the work of someone who has spent considerable time and patience honing her craft. On the first cut of the record Anjani tells us she is getting off to a late start. All I can say is whatever it took for this talent to ripen, judging by this stunning first record, it has been well worth the wait. --Stephen Carr JAPAN UPDATE\n\nAnjani, Hawaii-born, half-Okinawan, has released a self-titled, classy and superbly-produced beauty of a CD. The 12-song debut has elements of pop, folk, jazz and world music presented with an easy spirit and fresh finesse. Kanaloa, a stunning duet with Henry Kapono, is a gorgeous Hawaiian language tribute to the island of Kaho'olawe and is probably the most beautiful song on the CD. All in all, Anjani exhibits talent and authenticity with endless possibilities. --Les Reynolds Indie-Music.com\n\nThe first locally released album by Hawaii expatriate Anj\u003cbr\u003eASIN: B000CADTHY\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.B000CADTHY.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Anjani|Anjani Thomas\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Audio cd\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case may show wear and may be in library packaging. Ships Fast!  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41499469217850,"sku":"DBV.B000CADTHY.G","price":15.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/B000CADTHY-0.jpg?v=1783031428","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/anjani","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}