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Sacred Earth – Presence www.presence.org.uk
Isn’t it rather bold to call your band Presence? It would be if it were an egoic thing, but having seen them perform it’s pretty obvious they are not referring to their own presence, but rather the Presence that seems to be revealed by grace when ego is for once not being evoked. Which in a way makes it an even bolder choice of name. But this trio appear to have found enough devotion and love of truth to be able to trust that impersonal timeless presence will make an appearance whenever they are witnessed making music together.

Surabhi has for me a truly remarkable voice. The huskier earth-bound notes of her lower register, with their slight quavering cracks, share an intimacy such that they speak inside me, opening, gently whispering a reminder that my vulnerability is the source of true passion. This is not communicated by anything as shallow as lyrics, but in the sound itself. But then she soars high into pure heavenly realms where she loses me (and I’m not sure why).

Besides its enchanting beauty and power, this is not a perfect album: the songs themselves and certainly the arrangements and production could regularly do with a little more magic and imagination. And for me I yearn for less of the pure angel and more of the modest maiden who whispers earthly wisdom to the wintry wet winds in some overlooked and forgotten Welsh valley, centuries past.

- Kinski, Oct 07

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