Vidya: Adi Shakti

Anyone who ever studied philosophy or literature has probably encountered the term dualism. Dualism represents two different aspects of one thing, much like two sides of one coin. Although the concept is generally associated with academics, it certainly applies to many different areas, and music is no exception.

For example, the performance process is one form of expression, while the songwriting process is a different form of expression. Whenever these two are combined, it often brings out a deeper level of expression for a particular artist. Such is the case with Vidya-Liselotte Sundberg. Her third album, Adi Shakti, showcases her creativity both as a songwriter and performer.

Writing and performing music have always been an important part of Vidya's life. There is, however, another aspect of dualism for Vidya. She was born in India but later adopted and raised in Sweden. She studied music during her early years and later received a bachelor's degree from the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. Despite this, she never lost touch with her Indian roots. She searched for her birth mother and eventually reconnected with her. Unfortunately, she died shortly after their reunion, and this tragedy was only compounded by the death of her adoptive mother in 2022.

Vidya found solace, however, by strengthening her spiritual journey, and this is expressed in her work Adi Shakti is a Hindu mantra that connects humans to their divine inner source. It represents the maternal, life-giving force that merges the physical world with the eternal when practiced. This, along with a poem by the Persian mystic, Rumi, inspired Vidya's work. Both suggest a world beyond the temporal, which provides peace and freedom, and she realized that the mantra and the poem helped her keep the door open to it. It was, as she points out, "from that discovery music started to pour out."

Adi Shakti features Vidya on vocals and piano, Rob Luft on guitar, Magnus Bergström on bass and Jon Falt on drums. As the title suggests, there is a strong Indian aspect to the album, which is evidenced by the opening track, "The Ship," which features a perfect blending of Western melodies supported by strong Indian undertones.

The album also features different aspects of Vidya's approach to composition. Many of the songs, such as "Woman" and "My Little Sprout" represent a singer/songwriter quality that seems somewhat reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. In contrast, songs such as "Allt Jag Ber," with its catchy bossa nova feel or the slightly Pat Metheny-esque sound of "The Field" highlights more of her jazz side. The combination of pop and jazz probably comes together strongest, though, in "Wohoo," an extremely creative song that sounds like Kate Bush performing a jazz fusion tune.

Perhaps the album is best summed up by the poet Rumi who describes a gathering place. "Out beyond ideas of right doing and wrongdoing there is a field, I'll meet you there." Vidya welcomes us into such a place with Adi Shakti.