Morning Light

• Artist: Ananda Project
• Rating:
• Release Date: August 12, 2003
• Genre: Electronica

Review

The story behind the classic groove and ambience meets worldbeat extravaganza Morning Light finds Atlanta-based producer, composer, and remixer Chris Brann a bit surprised. He never set out to make the Ananda Project, the crown jewel of his musical legacy, which includes projects under his own name as well as associations with Wamdue Kids, Wamdu Project, and P'taah. When this ensemble began in 1998, it was intended as a one-shot side project. Ananda Project's first full-length album, Release, was an eclectic mix of house with jazz, gospel, tribal, soul, and Latin variables. The 13 tracks and 70 minutes here go in similarly vibey, crazy cool, and funky directions, opening with the moody interlude "Suite Dreams" and evolving into the heavy percussion and bass-driven "I Hear Your Dreaming," featuring the sultry vocals of Heather Johnson. More fun comes via the dance-specific thump numbers like "Rain Down" and "Tangerine," which roll along like a '70s funk jam, laid-back at first then more intense. The socially minded "Justice, Mercy" featuring Terrance Downs on vocals sounds like an hypnotic outtake from Seal. One minor issue: the album cover is a bit too new agey for the multiple mood swings of this provocative chillout disc. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Suite Dreams (Interlude)	Chris Brann, John M. Camp	The Ananda Project	(1:55)
I Hear You Dreaming	Chris Brann, Heather Johnson	The Ananda Project	(6:37)
Big Boat	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(6:21)
Rain Down	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(5:19)
Tangerine	Chris Brann, Terrance Downs	The Ananda Project	(6:41)
Kiss Kiss Kiss	Chris Brann, John M. Camp	The Ananda Project	(6:15)
Icu	Chris Brann, John M. Camp	The Ananda Project	(5:11)
Justice, Mercy	Chris Brann, Terrance Downs	The Ananda Project	(6:29)
The One	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(5:08)
Suite Dreams	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(6:16)
Secrets	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(5:25)
Can You Find the Heart	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(6:01)
Suite Dreams (Reprise)	Chris Brann	The Ananda Project	(0:45)

Credits

Lydia Rhodes (Vocals), Yoko Ono (Quotes Researched & Compiled), Kim Moore (Percussion), Kim Moore (Vocals), Chris Brann (Arranger), Chris Brann (Keyboards), Chris Brann (Rhythm), Chris Brann (Producer), Chris Brann (Fender Rhodes), Chris Brann (Mixing), Chris Brann (Synthesizer Piano), Konrad Carelli (Production Assistant), Konrad Carelli (Mixing), Terrance Downs (Vocals), The Ananda Project (Main Performer), Genoa Mungin (Conga), Genoa Mungin (Vocals), Hisa Ishioka (Executive Producer), Nicola Hitchcock (Vocals), Heather Johnson (Vocals), Kebbi Williams (Saxophone), Ede Wright (Guitar), Craig Roseberry (Executive Producer), Darryl Freeman (Bass), Marta Gazman (Vocals), Rob Geisler (Bass), Sylvia Gordon (Vocals), Julius Speed (Piano), Julius Speed (Fender Rhodes)