Jayadev’s Mantra Crew Brings Ganesh to the Mainstream [Video]

John Richardson is the 72-year-old founder and drummer of the ’70s pop group The Rubettes. The band had several top ten hits including the No. 1 chart-topper “Sugar Baby Love.”

Richardson is still performing with the group John Richardson, Mick Clarke, and Steve Etherington of the Rubettes, and the band has been recording original music on Sobel Nation Records. The group’s first single with the label “Let The Music In” opened in the top 20 on the North American Dance chart the first week it was released.

Richardson also continues to write and record music under his spiritual name Jayadev. On Dec. 9, 2018, he contributed as Jayadev to the charity record “Tears Aren’t Enough” from Sobel Promotions. The proceeds of the EP went to help the animal victims of the California Camp Fire.

The label that released the charity record, Sobel Nation Records, already was working with John in his band the Rubettes. The label was so impressed with Jayadev’s work they signed his new song “Ganesh” to the label.

“Ganesh” came about after Jayadev asked his soon to be 13- year-old granddaughter Shyama what gift she would like for her birthday.  She replied that she would like him to write her a song and record her singing it.

Jayadev has been a Hare Krishna devotee for 35 years. Taking inspiration from his connections with India he wrote a song entitled “Ganesh.”

Jayadev says the song places the deity Ganesh in his hierarchical position according to Vedic scriptures as demonstrated by the rap in the song:

Ganesh can dance, Ganesh can drum,  he’s mighty strong, ‘cos he’s Shiva’s son.  With his tusk, he removes the tree that blocks the way to eternity.  He might seem strange, he might seem odd, but he clears the way so you can see God.

Before signing with Sobel Nation Records and Sobel Promotions, Jayadev spoke with the label owner, Barbara Sobel. He asked if she agreed not to change the message of the song or interfere with his beliefs. She had no difficulty doing so.

With his new song, “Ganesh” Jayadev hopes to introduce to the dance music community the Holy Names of Krishna. The song features mixes by Spin Sista, Victor Lowdown, Thee Werq’n B!Tches, Larry Peace, Steve Etherington, Donny, and OK James.

Sources:
Sobel Promotions/Sobel Nation Records 

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Barbara Sobel/Sobel Promotions – Creative Commons License