This is an odd recording and difficult to describe without giving the wrong impression.  Tibetan Buddhist nun Choying Drolma teams up with American experimental guitarist Steve Tibbetts.  They marry Tibetan Buddhist chants with Fripp-Eno ambient guitar, but the music here is neither art rock nor new age.  Certainly it's otherworldly and yet with a solid melodic structure in place.  Drolma and Tibbetts conjure magic on this disc, but most of the alchemy stems from the connection of two distinct personalities.  You might in fact, call Drolma and Tibbetts musical pioneers.  Calling them uncompromising would also be a compliment.

Tibbetts is already known for his soundscapes and has built a reputation furthered polished by his critically-acclaimed ECM releases.  Drolma once questioned the role of women in Tibetan Buddhism and seems to take nothing at face value.  She is quoted in the press release, "Even before I was a nun, I had always thought about this question, wondering why, if boys can do something, why can't girls? That kind of attitude continued with me even in the nunnery."  This led Drolma to transform the role of women in her culture.  And today, nuns also learn math, English and basic medicine along side their religious instruction.

Seven years ago, this odd duo produced a groundbreaking album, Cho.  This album captured the attention of the world music community while garnering glowing reviews.  Their new recording, Selwa also combines sonic ambient guitar with Buddhist and devotional music. And you will also find Hindu bhajans and contemporary Hindu pop influences here.  I have not heard the first album so I'm unable to make comparisons.  But Selwa lends itself well to a meditation practice.  The songs flow nicely into one another, move at a meditative pace and despite some dark lyrical content on at least one track, can be called soothing.  The album might also attract individuals with a non-spiritual bent that want to listen to unusual music.  However, Selwa has a strong unconscious undertow that is going to lead its listeners in a transformational direction.