"KARMA SUTRA was mesmerizing.
I could feel the singer's vocals piercing my soul.
Although Mona sang several songs in Hindi,
I could understand what she was singing
out of her pure physical and vocal emotion.
Awesome! - Scarlett
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photo of Mona : Samantha Isom K a r m a S u t r a : (updated Jan 2003) KARMA SUTRA is a haunting blend of East Indian tonality and Western technology, seamlessly blending Mona Jethmalani's powerful vocal stylings with Preston Klik's mystical electronic textures and guest Amy Spina's sensous acoustic percussion. Tablas roil in the rythmic sea of electric trance. Sitars mix with the sound of a chill-out rave. The timeless mystery of the East meets the modernism of the West. It's this perspective that makes KARMA SUTRA's sensuous sonics so appealing to fans of electronica or world music. The 1st time Mona pulled her long dark hair back from her face, meditated for a moment, and then let her gorgeous voice blend with the sound of a sitar, Preston was instantly inspired and had a vision of the band that soon became Karma Sutra. He dug through his extensive samples of Indian and Eastern instruments and his techno and electronic beats. Two months of intensive focus later, he had the musical "beds" for Mona's voice. If only she'd be as inspired by them as he was by her voice! And she was. The result of these two artists collaborating is the ten world-music songs of Prana, Karma Sutra's debut cd. 
photo of Mona : Ryan Reynolds @ Gunther Murphy's M e m b e r s : Mona Jethmalani (co-writer, vocals and lyrics) has been involved with Chicago's arts and music scene for several years. Trained and gifted in both piano and voice from a young age, in 2004 she received her undergraduate degree from Benedictine University in Music Education with a vocal/choral emphasis in grades K-12. She and her brother Anish (a professional actor and artistic director of Chicago's Eclipse and Rasaka Theatre) were recipients of the 2003 Excellence in Arts Award from Chitrahar television, a network for the Midwest South Asian community. They were recognized for their outstanding contribution to "the arts (otherwise not commonly pursued by young South Asians)". In addition, Mona was a candidate for the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webberıs production of A.R. Rahmanıs Bombay Dreams on Broadway. In 2002, she was a winner at the regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Vocal Competition with a final performance at Northern Illinois University. Mona is noted for her versatile voice, ranging from pop, soul/R&B and musical theatre, to eastern chants/improvisation, to western classical. Her lyric writings embrace the struggles and comforts of spirituality, the ever-changing dimensions of personal relationships, the controversial choices of society, and the euphoria of sensuality. She integrates her cultural heritage in her art as a teacher and artist, recently studying Hindustani classical voice. Mona brings a unique perspective to the stage and to the classroom, which is crucial in todayıs multicultural environment. She also studied dance at a young age, and has modeled for various events and publications. Mona follows in the footsteps of her talented late mother, Shveta Jethmalani, a distinguished artist during the 80ıs and early 90ıs in the Indian Midwest community. Shveta was a successful artist in mediums such as theatre, music, dance, radio & TV, and founded the Kala Academy of Performing Arts. Mona's made guest appearances and recordings with many other musicians including Funkadesi, Sunny Singh (formerly of TS Soundz), P-1, Deep, DJ Red Lox, Solar Tribe, Effusion, Preston Klik's Ritual, and Los Angelesı Latino violinist Jesus Florido. Mona (with Karma Sutra) has also shared the stage with Rasputina and Arun Gandhi (Mahatmaıs Gandhiıs grandson). She's been featured on FOX and WGN news in addition to print media, including Chicago Tribune, India Tribune, and the cover of Sahaara Magazine. She is a member of Elginıs premier chamber choral ensemble Heartland Voices, and has appeared frequently with DuPage Opera Theatre. Mona currently teaches music in public school, and gives private vocal instruction to students of all ages. She remains active in other areas of performing, including acting, while writing and recording with Karma Sutra and various solo projects. 
photo of Karma Sutra @ The Loring : Steve Felling Preston Klik (co-writer, samples, fx, melodica) has followed his twin passions music and art all his adult life. Moving to Chicago, he found a multi-cultural mecca and immediately dove in to music that reflects facets of the world at large. His spirituality and commitment to the celebration of the diversity of the way people express their spirits in this world led him to Mona/Karma Sutra. Preston founded the late Big Hat (4 CDs), the late My Scarlet Life (4CDs), Bed Of Roses (1 CD), Scarlet Life (1 CD), Pointy Teeth (1 CD), and has recorded one song each with Ministry and The Smashing Pumpkins. In 2002 he joined Unity in Chicago, and now co-produces (with his bride Emily) --and DJs-- a monthly conscious-dance event called A Circus of the Spirit, which is a safe and loving alternative event for all-ages to experience dance-music, various healers, guided meditation, drum-circle, live-musicians, yoga, art, body-painting, Tarot, astrology, and more. In '03 and '04, Preston took the Landmark Forum's Curriculum For Living, and has redoubled his commitments to bringing out the creative potential in himself and all those he meets. Music is his primary outlet because it is a "group" effort, establishing relationships between friends, and creating a creative conversation between them, and the audience. Amy Spina (guest percussionist) was a member of My Scarlet Life. She plays dumbek, djembe and other ethnic instruments with KARMA SUTRA. Alex Duvel (guest musician) plays sitar, dumbek, flugelhorn, tabla, and other ethnic instruments with KARMA SUTRA. He is manager of Andie's Import Music Store, a *great* place to find exotic instruments. imports@andysmusic.com 
c d R e v i e w s : KARMA SUTRA's PRANA CD released Oct 2 2001 on DivaNation / Underground Inc / Caroline Records "KARMA SUTRA blends East Indian motifs with the powerful voice of Mona Jethmalani and grooves of Preston Klik which makes body and mind work at the same time. Best associations via the names of Ofra Haza and Natacha Atlas : imagine them grooved all up, making a specific music made for moods." - damage / LD50 (Budapest) "Jethmalani's gorgeous voice is capable of conveying mysticism via spiritual lyrics, and soulful in the R&B sense, even operatic and seductive. Enticing." - IE "Without the restrictions of a full band, Preston Klik has the freedom to loosen the strings of his globe-trotting freak flag. Singer Mona Jethmalani truly soars in her astounding debut. Prana is the most diverse fusion of Hindustani and Western culture in recent years, with Western classical-influenced vocals, dance beats, and the mysticism of Dead Can Dance. While Sheila Chandra has backed off from mixing genres, Jethmalani takes more risks, singing in both Hindi and English, and at times daring to be boldly erotic. Tablas, electronic effects, eerie keyboards and chanting create a haunting whole. Nothing can hold back the immense force of Mona Jethmalani's rising star." - www.fastnbulbous.com/ "Sultry, haunting, engrossing, a distinct sound of originality and talent." - India Tribune 
photo of Karma Sutra : Franke Rodriguez "KARMA SUTRA's Prana is a lush offering of Persian trip-hop. Vocalist Mona Jethmalani's kaleidoscopic Qawwali is psychedelic spiritualism, a sublime rendering of the infinite. Preston Klik's deep beats throb in Tantric time with the sounds of the subcontinent, defining the borders of this garden of earthly delights, as seductive as the temptations of a love bed co-reading of an East Indian sex manual. (4)" - http://furious.com/perfect/outsight.html This Perfect Sound Forever "KARMA SUTRA sounds like a modern Dead Can Dance!" "Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital force energy. I felt Prana being generated through my mind/body, and it was healing to the soul : music therapy. Mona sang in English and Hindi, chanted in the spirit of the Indian traditions, sang with operatic voice, and once even sounded robotic, then switched back to pop. I compare them to Paula Cole (the intensity of Mona's voice), Bjork (the use of electronic percussion, classical, jazz), Cocteau Twins (hypnotic, psychedelic, and soothing), and Enya (ideal-for-massage). I am a big fan of exotic world music, and KARMA SUTRA created their very own techno-classical-Asian mix." - Music Appreciation Concert Report "It "Prana"ed me out as I spun it. Nada Om is the goal." - DJ Cheb i Sabbah "Preston is dedicated to creating magnificently sensual, yet spiritual music, while avoiding the traps and limitations of pop music, and incorporating a diverse palette of musical styles. At the core of Preston's projects is an exquisite female vocalist - throughout the years he has managed to join up with the most talented singers you're likely to hear on any record, rivaling if not surpassing pop music's most celebrated divas. At the core of KARMA SUTRA is the remarkably talented and enchanting chanteuse Mona. Prana is gorgeous and lasting, cutting-edge production so rich with spirit and sensuality, you'll swear it's alive. Immerse yourself. Music this sensual and seductive will set the stage for love so intense you might not be prepared for it - don't waste music this special cd on one-night stands, save it for the one you truly love. Mark my words, this CD will be amongst your most borrowed and stolen possessions." - Legends Mag "Lush, sensuous vocals carried aloft by eastern polyrhythms, soothing and transporting... KARMA SUTRA's a full body massage in the sultan's private pleasure chamber." - Dan H 
"What a great mix of sounds. Every time I think I figure out what the influences are I hear more. I wish I lived closer to Chicago so I could catch shows." - WMQT-FM "Eastern soundscapes entrance and bedazzle. Mona's sensuous vocals achingly elevate and haunt you as they take your breath away." - Ben H "I would be lying if I said I was a fan of electronica until now. Monaıs voice sounds like an angel soaring over a dream, a complex pattern of Preston Klik's textures and sounds that touches a variety of emotional levels. This disc possesses meditative power, and succeeds on personal and spiritual levels. What stress I have dissipates when I pop this disc into the stereo. (5 stars)" - Paul Barile, http://chicagoartsandentertainment.com/1_21/Music/karma.htm "Energy-generating, exotic... pure primal pleasure and beauteous enlightenment for the soul. Unique, sensual, magnetizing and transformative. - Mindquest / Lightword Pub "Prana is sweet and spicy, with a hint of eternity. At once grandiose and wistful, languid and lilting, Prana incorporates just enough ethnic instrumentation to luxuriate in Mona's vocal strengths, relying on Klik's textures and arranging to create rich confections of cinematic sound. Jethmalani's effortless vocals call up kaleidoscopic mandalas of emotion with the clarity and precision of classic opera and the sincerity and exuberance of a seasoned R&B diva." - Columbine, THE SENTIMENTALIST "Brilliant! The shock between the mysticism of the East and the technology of the West. This sacred union has been done before, but PRANA is composed with such refinement that you can only listen and enjoy the mysticism, sensuality, eroticism. We know that opposite cultures can live together in perfect harmony, but it's still magic to hear the results! - SideLines www.side-line.com Belgium "KARMA SUTRA perfectly brings together the mysticism of Middle Eastern music, the sensuality of Indian chants, and the eclectic arrangements of electronics." - Le Vestibule (Canada) "Voluptuous, soulful and earthy, PRANA blends East Indian tonality with a Western urban electronic feel. This unique band's an unexpected delight." - India West, L.A. CA "Perfect for lovers.The sexiest music these ears have heard." Mona's voice is so alluring / mythical, so powerful it actually draws your soul in." - Veronica T |
