Those who know know. Muriel Grossmann's reputation as a leading practitioner of spiritual jazz that grooves, deeply grooves, has grown steadily with every new recording. From early albums such as 'Quartet' in 2008 to 'Birth of the Mystery' in 2010 to her breakout album 'Golden Rule' in 2018 and her recent 'Devotion' in 2023, Grossmann's music has won accolades from critics and adoration from listeners around the globe. From her recording studio and her own label Dreamlandrecords on the island of Ibiza, through to the distribution of international music labels including RRGEMS in Europe, Jazzman from the UK, and more recently Passerine Records and Third Man Records from the USA, Grossmann's music has won devoted fans the world over. If, however, you are a new listener, you will find with this album that you have come to a place where contemporary spiritual jazz meets happiness. Serious happiness.
In her interview with All About Jazz writer Dave Kaufman, Muriel Grossmann comments on happiness, noting that 'if we ask ourselves when we are happiest, it is surely when we have made somebody happy,' and she goes on to quote the Dalai Lama: 'When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it also helps us to develop inner happiness and peace.'
Listening to the music on 'The Light of the Mind', Grossmann's 16th album as leader, one feels that happiness is the core of this recording. It is happiness achieved through reciprocity, interconnection, devotion, reverence and practice. Grossmann has explained to reviewers of her previous albums the importance of Buddhism in her daily life and the role of meditation and post-meditation practice. The titles of her recent albums and compositions reflect this. Glance through the titles on 'The Light of the Mind' and you will begin to appreciate the connection between Buddhist thought and Grossmann's creation of spiritual jazz.