Biography
In the latter half of the 1990s, multi-instrumentalist and dance figure Chris Brann—already known as the driving force behind the Wamdue Project, Wamdue Kidz, and P'Taah—launched an additional house-rooted venture under the name Ananda Project. Initially conceived as a secondary pursuit, the project gained momentum after Brann was commissioned to create a track for the King Street dance label. That assignment developed into an ongoing collaboration with singer/songwriter Gaelle Adisson, resulting in the Ananda Project's 1998 debut release "Cascades of Colour," which was followed a year later by the single "Straight Magic."
Heather Johnson, Justin Chapman, and Terrance Downs contribute to the project's sensual soul and vibronic R&B sound. Formally trained as a jazz vocalist, Johnson complements Downs' silky urban grooves, which in turn incorporate Chapman's spiraling DJ cuts of cosmic soul and sonic trip-hop. The brooding electronic sounds crafted by the Ananda Project have also attracted interest from prominent DJs such as Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Pete Tong, and David Morales. Staying with King Street, Brann and his collaborators issued the debut album Release in fall 2000. Remixes of its tracks by King Britt, Blue Mar Ten, Blaze, and others surfaced on 2001's Re:Release, while Brann assembled and released the Inspirations compilation on Karma Giraffe the next year. Morning Light appeared in 2003.
Heather Johnson, Justin Chapman, and Terrance Downs contribute to the project's sensual soul and vibronic R&B sound. Formally trained as a jazz vocalist, Johnson complements Downs' silky urban grooves, which in turn incorporate Chapman's spiraling DJ cuts of cosmic soul and sonic trip-hop. The brooding electronic sounds crafted by the Ananda Project have also attracted interest from prominent DJs such as Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Pete Tong, and David Morales. Staying with King Street, Brann and his collaborators issued the debut album Release in fall 2000. Remixes of its tracks by King Britt, Blue Mar Ten, Blaze, and others surfaced on 2001's Re:Release, while Brann assembled and released the Inspirations compilation on Karma Giraffe the next year. Morning Light appeared in 2003.