SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers SPIRITUAL ROOTS- Local world music artist and vocalist Radha Botofasina is preparing to release her latest record titled "The Spirituals" featuring a collection of classic African American folk songs. The timeless songs transcend cultures and carry an energy that opens the hearts of listeners, according to Botofasina. Traditional spirituals contributed to most forms of modern American music, ranging from blues and ragtime to rap. Music is a sacred means of expression for Agoura Hills resident Radha Botofasina, a world music artist who is preparing to release her latest record featuring classic African American folk songs.

Botofasina, a vocalist who plays the harp and piano, began her career in the mid-1970s as the leader of a jazz band in New York City.

Her affinity for world music evolved as she worked with musicians in Europe, India, Spain, North Africa, the Philippines, Cuba and the Caribbean.

Her album, "The Spirituals," is a collection of African American spirituals. Her first effort in the genre, the recording is the result of nearly four years of studying music created more than 400 hundred years ago by Africans who were brought to America against their will, Botofasina said. She recently completed a senior thesis on the subject for Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt.

"These songs transcend cultures; they are sincere and uplifting, and carry an energy that opens the hearts of the listeners," she said.

The music is also the basis for most forms of modern American music ranging from ragtime to rap—including gospel, blues and folk, said the local vocalist and music producer. She and her family have lived in an ashram, a spiritual community, on Triunfo Canyon Road between Agoura and Malibu for more than two decades.

Alice Coltrane, late wife of jazz artist John Coltrane, founded the 50acre ashram in 1983 to provide a setting for people who seek to contemplate and cultivate devotion to God through meditation, selfless service and devotional music. She died in early 2007.

Alice Coltrane, who was Botofasina's spiritual and musical guru, was a pianist, composer and arranger.

"Swamini Alice Coltrane encouraged me to sing. She also taught me how to explore all genres of music," said Botofasina.

Early reviews of Botofasina's new 14-track album indicate that the artist evokes the original standards of her ancestors. She also added her own stamp to the genre, using her rich voice and individual style as a singer and musician, said Camilo Smith, a freelance music and culture writer based in Los Angeles.

"Botofasina's renditions of such classics as 'Come Here, Lord,' 'Motherless Child' and 'Trouble of the World' give claim to the painful beauty in these songs," Smith said.

"Radha has very long roots in jazz, as well as classical and spiritual music. She's extremely diverse," said Westlake Village resident Carole Wilson, who has known Botofasina for 20 years.

In addition to creating music and performing throughout the world, Botofasina teaches voice to young singers. She also lectures about vocal technique and world music history at schools and colleges in the U.S.

Wilson said her daughter, a rhythm and blues vocalist who attends the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., flourished under Botofasina's tutelage.

"She's a great teacher of music and (is) knowledgeable about the history of music, and she helps her students to open their soul," Wilson said.

Botofasina's new CD includes contributions from many worldclass musicians, including pianist John Lehman, who has been the music director at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Angeles for more than two decades.

Botofasina's husband, Shyam Tony Reyes, and three children sing background vocals and play instruments on the album.

The CD, produced by Botofasina and James Shifflett, will be released on Dec. 15. The entire album and individual tracks will be available for purchase online at www.CDBaby.com.