Ashram Sun is Surya Botofasina’s sophomore set for  enlightened London label, Spiritmuse Records. The album’s title refers to the Californian keyboardist / composer / Andre 3000 collaborator’s childhood spent growing up in Santa Monica’s Sai Anantam Ashram. Botofasina’s mother, Radha, who contributes harp and vocals, was a devotee of Swamini Turiyasangitananda nee Alice Coltraine, and he himself was mentored by the legendary musician. With assistance from likeminded peaceful, loving souls, such as Carlos Nino, the 10 tracks here, combined, have the feeling of a healing ceremony. Something they share with the vast majority of Nino’s work. Occupying a sonic space somewhere between new age and spiritual jazz. Field recordings fuse seamlessly with assorted keys, chimes and cymbal / gong shimmer. Reeds soar. Voices join in Vedic prayer. Avatar Bookstore Bal Vikas is a soothing mediative swirl of surf, Fender Rhodes and gentle glissandi. Thru Her Wisdom Eye is a hymn of praise and thanks to a higher power, delicately crafted from drones and celestial harmonies. However, not everything has an “ambient” air. Our Cottage To Across The Stream, for example, is a euphoric big band jam, with a bit of a Brazilian bent, that builds to cathartic tumbling and crashing. The pieces all appear to be at least partly improvised. Demonstrating intuitive, near telepathic, communication between the assembled singers and players. Adding significantly to the set’s seriously transcendental vibe.

Surya Botofasina’s Ashram Sun can be ordered directly from Spiritmuse Records.