One With The Wonder

A review by Maniko of Abhi Ktori’s new CD.

One With The Wonder
by Abhi Ktori (Deva Abhinandan)
Released September 11, 2023
Available at Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube

I first heard Abhi sing early on at the Ranch, during the first Osho Birthday Celebration there. These were wild rugged times – as many of you know who were at the ‘Big Muddy’ then, winter was doing its thing but work did not stop for anything!

A bunch of us musicians were given a funky construction-office trailer in which to put together music (this was in addition to our regular work) for what would become the “Welcome Home” darshan with Osho. It was the first darshan since his leaving India, and was to be held in the airplane hangar then known as Vimalkirti.

The core band was Veet Dharm (Morgan Fischer) keyboards; Prem Geet, bass; Govindas (Govi) guitar; Nivedano (drums and percussion), a couple of horn players (just in case), and then there were us singers! We, as singer-songwriters, were called in to share songs we had that could contribute, and from these some would be chosen for the darshan.

I was there when Abhi strolled in, muddy boots and all. Someone asked, “What do you have?” and to my utter amazement this guy stood up, no preamble, and sang with his whole body, soul, and spirit. I was riveted. Electricity moved up my spine and my heart exploded. It was so moving… and still is!

Abhi’s new album, One With The Wonder, is like hanging out with beloved friends, trading songs and sharing the stories – heart and soul – of the movements of our lives. Abhi is a storyteller. He is a bard, a spirit troubadour, a minstrel of the heart, of this being human. He tells, without drama or complaint, the hard stories we have all experienced.

Love and transformation are the true soul of this music and this man. He sings of the no-things that silently have everyone’s hearts’ attention, sings of the communion with nature that leads to genuine unity. Gently, honestly, his songs offer remembrance, that glorious space that death cannot take away.

The production is lovely. No tricks. Great sound, real instruments, real humans. Overall the sound is clean pure folk, with some rock and some fun country-inflected godowns… It’s beautifully recorded and will certainly be a welcome companion on this blessed journey, with all its improbabilities, contradictions and unique experiences. So much of which most of us are unable to share with those who have not had the sannyas experience… but music can connect where nothing else can make a bridge.

In this album, Abhi has metabolized it all into melodies that heal, and poetry that acknowledges our journey; imbued with the essence of embodied human love.

Get it!

Every time you listen, you will feel the presence of The Friend.

Tracks

Sunrise of My Heart
Speed of Love
One with the Wonder
Only Love
Trust in Love
One Breath
Holy Holy
Bearing Witness
The Way of Fear

Credits

Lead Vocals: Abhi Ktori
Backing Vocals: Makaysha Rain, Hazel Miller (One Breath)
Lead Guitar: Tierro Lee, Paul Visvader (One Breath)
Recorder: Paul Joel (One Breath)
Drums: Christian Teele
Bass: Mark Diamond
Cello: Phil Parker
Violin: Brigitte Law
Slide Guitar: Mark Kranjcec
Accordion: Martin Kutnar
Organ: Ricardo Pena
All songs composed and arranged by Abhi Ktori
Produced by Tierro Lee