The music you are listening to was commissioned by Jane Collings to accompany a forthcoming illustrated book called Birthing With the Goddess. Although the material is designed to support and enhance the journey of pregnancy and birthing, the music carries a broader scope for a variety of listeners: hence this independently available release as Echoes of the Goddess.These are original contemporary compositions evoking and invoking certain qualities associated with each figure. Although we have read material on each one, we have not set out to recreate"historically accurate" music. Nor have we used any existing melodies such as medicine songs. We have danced with soundscapes, instrumentation and certain modes, elements and flavours connected to each one, along with our own responses. Many times in our collaboration music and or words have sprung forth in a spontaneous way in which the identity of the goddess or spirit being was immediately evident to each of us. Composing this music was a precious, magical and alchemical journey in which we often felt that more than two were present!We have composed music inspired by 11 ancient feminine archetypal figures. In some traditions (e.g. Greek) these are called goddesses, and are viewed as deities to be worshipped. In others (e.g. Inuit, Native American) they take the form of spirit helpers, vast beings certainly, but not worshipped in any hierarchical sense. We have used 'goddess' in the title for brevity and flow, and we respect and in no way seek to co-opt any one belief system or cultural tradition into another."Another pair of superb female voices can be heard on Echoes of the Goddess....... The singers, who also share composing duties, are Ganga Karen Ashworth and Louise Bell. While the music is calming, there is still an adventurous spirit about the recording. I like the combination of subtle.....sounds with traditional instruments - harp, djembe, bodhran, singing bowl. And the way the lush production is shot through with powerful chants and vocalisations. In its own modest way, this album follows the lead of Deva Premal, bringing the ancient tradition of female chant into the 21st century." Album review by Geoff Woods - The Rhythm Divine, Radio National, Sydney Australia, 31/12/09