Everything You See Is Me - Rasa (9) (1978) (1LP Vinyl) - Very Good Plus (VG+)

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Everything You See Is Me by Rasa (9).

Rasa's "Everything You See Is Me" is one of those records that rewards the curious digger, a spiritually inclined session that folds soul, jazz, and devotional feeling into a single unified statement. The title track opens the album and sets the tone immediately, arranged by London McDaniels, who also lends his hand to arrangements across the bulk of the record, from "A Perfect Love" through to "When Will The Day Come."

The personnel here is a genuine draw for collectors who follow the players. Randy Brecker turns up on trumpet and George Young adds saxophone, while Anthony Jackson contributes bass on "Chanting" and "When Will The Day Come," with Randy Covens handling bass elsewhere. Webb Thomas keeps time on drums, and the keyboard duties are split between Dave Webb and Roger Panansky, the latter also handling synthesizer. Piers Lawrence takes lead guitar throughout.

McDaniels wears multiple hats on this session, credited not only with arranging but also playing guitar and shaping the horn and string arrangements. That attention to texture is felt across the A side, where "Questions In My Mind" and "Just For Believing" sit alongside the title cut, giving the first half a warm, considered flow before the album turns more meditative.

The B side leans into the record's contemplative heart. "Chanting" opens the second half and gives way to "Within The Sound" and "When Will The Day Come," before "The Dream Is Over" closes things out. Jorge Barreiro adds vibraphone across the session and takes a producer credit as well, sharing production with writer Andrew Marks, whose pen shaped the material. Chris McDaniels handles vocals and drums, with backing vocals from Bee Snow and Ruderial Blackwell filling out the harmonies.

Behind the boards, Peter Robbins engineered the album, with Akili Walker assisting. Sri Rama Das takes the executive producer credit, and the liner notes come courtesy of Adi Kesava Swami, names that hint at the devotional world this music grew from. It is a record that carries its intentions openly, from the arrangements to the spoken framing on the sleeve.

Original copies were issued with a two sided lyric sheet insert, a nice touch for anyone who wants to follow along with the words. Collectors should note that the lyric sheet turns up in two variants, with lettering in either black or red, a small detail that has become a point of interest for those chasing a complete original package. It is a quietly rewarding album for fans of spiritual soul and jazz crossover, well worth spinning from the opening title track through to the final fade of "The Dream Is Over."

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Everything You See Is Me
A2. Questions In My Mind
A3. A Perfect Love
A4. Just For Believing
B1. Chanting
B2. Within The Sound
B3. When Will The Day Come
B4. The Dream Is Over

Credits:
London McDaniels - Arranged By (A1, A3 to B3)
Bee Snow - Backing Vocals
Ruderial Blackwell - Backing Vocals
Anthony Jackson - Bass (B1 & B3)
Randy Covens - Bass
Webb Thomas - Drums
Peter Robbins - Engineer
Akili Walker - Engineer [Assistant]
Sri Rama Das - Executive-Producer
London McDaniels - Guitar, Arranged By [Horns, Strings]
Dave Webb (2) - Keyboards
Roger Panansky - Keyboards, Synthesizer
Piers Lawrence - Lead Guitar
Adi Kesava Swami - Liner Notes
George Young (2) - Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Jorge Barreiro - Vibraphone, Producer
Chris McDaniels - Vocals, Drums
Andrew Marks - Written-By, Producer

Notes:
Issued with a 2-sided lyric sheet insert. Some copies came with the lyric sheet in black or red lettering.

Artist: Rasa (9)

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Govinda Records (2)

Catalog Number: RA-106

Release Year: 1978

Country: United States