The big hair, shoulder pads, and snappy lyrics may be gone, but the signature Tina Turner voice remains on her new album Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers, a collaboration with Dechen Shak-Dagsay (a Tibetan Buddhist) and Regula Curti (a Christian). Beyond includes a 15-track CD of Buddhist and Christian prayers and a 36 page “collectors booklet” with messages from the singers, photographs, and prayers. From the Boston Globes album review:

It’s a fascinating exploration of interreligious understanding, but it’s also a highly esoteric project. The music is immaculate, and, of course, there’s the shock and novelty of hearing Turner chanting prayers and delivering spoken-word interludes.That’s not too surprising, though, given Turner’s long association with Buddhism. “What’s Love Got to Do With It,’’ the 1993 film adapted from her autobiography, ended with a scene featuring Turner reciting the Lotus Mantra. Still, when you hear her transformation from secular to sacred, it’s astonishing to realize how far she’s come since “Nutbush City Limits.’’

Beyond will be released on Thursday, September 14 by New Earth Records. Below, check out the video of Turner discussing her Buddhist practice with Larry King and then chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.”

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