Vol. I - While the City Sleeps
The one that started it all. Created over the course of 2006 on Vancouver Island and Portland, Oregon, Badasht Vol. 1 was the direct result of the experimental teaching project conducted the previous summer and fall. It was the first time JB and Eric ever collaborated, though they had met 10 years earlier.
Many of these songs had been around for a while already, the arrangements finally taking shape in the electrified atmosphere of the first Badasht pilot project in Victoria. Other songs could only have been born in the crucible of collaboration, in particular the ‘Healing Suite,’ an ambitious 19-minute rendering of Bahá'u'lláh’s Long Healing Prayer. The arrangement required drastic changes in mood and style to complete the journey, along with several lead singers and readers. This song, along with others on the album, stands as a demonstration of the power of the spirit to guide and inspire the creative process beyond our wildest hopes.
The magic of creating this album was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, and when it was released it became a staple of spiritual gatherings worldwide. Eric and JB were even invited to perform ‘Hollow Reed at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York City.
Vol. 1 has been the greatest ambassador of the feeling and intention of the Badasht Project.
Vol. II - Raise Me up
Creating a follow-up to Vol. 1 was a daunting task for many reasons, one being the absence of the pilot project as a direct source of inspiration. But as Eric and JB began working again in earnest, they realized there were many songs in the vault that had never seen the light of day, and others that could benefit from a fresh take.
‘The Benediction’ was actually a hymn written in the early 20th century by a Bahá'í named Louise Waite, blessed with the direct encouragement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who gave her the name Shahnáz (Royal Falcon). He urged the friends to sing this song at all their gatherings, and it became a fixture in the early American Bahá'í community before falling out of favor as a very traditional Protestant-style hymn. Eric and JB decided to modernize the song by changing the rhythmic phrasing and giving it a Gospel chordal foundation, and the final touch was adding vocalist Sandi Simmons, whose passionate interpretation of the introductory section became a definitive take on the century-old piece.
Another highlight was the Unity Prayer, which was written in a group setting at a songwriter’s retreat at JB and Katie’s home in Los Angeles which also yielded ‘If Thou Loves Me,’ a song which has become so ubiquitous in the Bahá'í world that few even know where it came from!
Vol. III - Visionaries
Over years and various travels around the continent, Eric and JB encountered many young artists creating songs inspired by the Bahá'í Writings and Teachings. Badasht Vol. III - Visionaries is a snapshot of the diverse styles and sounds emerging in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Some participants were still in adolescence. Others were seasoned professionals. A few were making their first forays into the world of music in a group setting. But the overall sound, whether polished or raw, was youthful and full of promise.
Eric and JB make some appearances, with ‘Cool’ and ‘New Creation’ showcasing their voices as solo artists and ‘Amazing Grace’ providing a glimpse into their Moanin’ Sons duo sound—even with a young Bella (of Iyla fame) singing lead vocals.
Badasht Vol. III surprises, delights, twists and turns, revealing classics and hidden gems on every listen.