Jaya Lakshmi

by James Christopher Monger Jaya Lakshmi mixes contemporary chant -- both sensual and spiritual -- with tribal dance beats and flamenco guitar to create a mystical soundtrack to accompany meditation, yoga, or just kicking back. Lakshmi took to music at a young age. Through piano lessons she found the guitar, an instrument that led her to form her own folk band in high school at the age of 15. In 1985 she earned a degree in anthropology from the University of New Hampshire, eventually moving western Oregon to pursue singing and songwriting. Five years later she and her two-year-old daughter relocated to Hawaii, a move that introduced the artist to the West Bengalese spiritual leader Srila Govinda Maharaj, who gave Jaya her spirit name (Jaya Lakshmi), which means "the Hindu Goddess of prosperity." Lakshmi found Hawaii to be the perfect conduit for her faith-based explorations, a journey that led her to the island of Maui, where she met Deva Priyo and Om and formed the band Lost at Last. After relocating to northern California, Lost at Last released their self-titled debut in August 2001. Lakshmi found herself to be a much sought-after collaborator, co-writing two songs for William Ackerman's Grammy-nominated Hearing Voices record, as well as contributing vocals to Steve Gordon's Drum Prayer release. In 2002, Lakshmi unleashed her debut, Ocean of Mercy, on Sequoia Records, followed by Jewel of Hari in 2004.