The electronic music collective joins Antaeus, Madame Gandhi, and Amani Sol for a collaborative project that brings ambient production, traditional instruments, and meditative sound into focus.
Cafe De Anatolia is expanding its musical repertoire with EKTĀ, a nine-track New Age & Ambient album released on August 14, 2026.
The project brings together the electronic music collective with GRAMMY®-winning artist and producer Antaeus, artist and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Madame Gandhi, and ambient music collaborator Amani Sol. Across its 34-minute-40-second runtime, the album combines electronic production with acoustic instrumentation, vocals, guided meditation, and influences drawn from different musical traditions.
The title EKTĀ refers to “oneness” in Sanskrit, a concept that provides the thematic foundation for the record. The project explores spirituality, mindfulness, meditation, nature, and shared humanity through a blend of ambient textures and traditional sounds.
A Collaborative Approach to Ambient Music
For Cafe De Anatolia, EKTĀ represents a move further into New Age and Ambient music, building on the collective’s established interest in electronic production and international musical influences.
The album’s collaborators contribute different approaches to the project. Antaeus brings production and keyboards, Madame Gandhi contributes vocals and guided meditation, and Amani Sol is credited as a collaborator on the release.
The result is a record that places acoustic instruments, voices, and electronic sound design within the same production framework.
Inside the Nine-Track Album
The album’s tracklist moves between cinematic ambience, mantra-inspired material, meditation, and instrumental compositions.
“Home”
“Home” opens the album with a cinematic New Age atmosphere. The track features Billy Esteban on guitars and tambura, with vocals by AleMor, who is identified in the supplied release material as a GRAMMY® nominee and three-time Latin GRAMMY® nominee.
“Ocean”
Madame Gandhi contributes to “Ocean,” a composition centered on nature and awareness. The track forms part of the album’s wider exploration of mindfulness and the relationship between music and reflection.
“Goddess Mantra”
“Goddess Mantra” draws on Indian mantra and chant traditions. The track features the Iasi Ensemble, according to the official album campaign credits.
“Echoes of You”
“Echoes of You” features AleMor and violinist Frederika Krier. The track brings a more melodic and acoustic character to the record, continuing its movement between electronic and traditional instrumentation.
“Shiva Nirvana”
At 8 minutes and 25 seconds, “Shiva Nirvana” is the album’s longest composition. It combines guided meditation, spiritual influences, and downtempo electronic production.
Madame Gandhi is credited on the track alongside Cafe De Anatolia and Antaeus.
“Kyrie”
Antaeus contributes “Kyrie,” an atmospheric composition that draws on the character of a prayer. The track forms part of the album’s broader connection between spiritual themes and contemporary ambient production.
“Aether”
“Aether” continues the record’s cinematic direction, combining ambient textures with the wider electronic production approach found throughout EKTĀ.
“Deep Water”
“Deep Water” features the East Balkan Noble Voices choir and contributions from Rialians On Earth. The track brings Balkan vocal traditions and acoustic instrumentation into the album’s meditative sound.
“Desert Night”
The closing track, “Desert Night,” features An Vedi and the East Balkan Noble Voices choir, completing the album’s nine-track sequence.
Traditional Instruments Meet Electronic Production
The production of EKTĀ brings together musicians working across several instrumental traditions.
The official campaign credits list contributions including:
- Keyboards by Antaeus and Amani Sol.
- Guitar and tambura by Billy Esteban.
- Dulcimer by Pete Giatrakos.
- Ney flute by Thanassis Vassilopoulos.
- Sitar and esraj by Iasi Ensemble.
- Violin by Frederika Krier and An Vedi.
- Kaval, oud, and duduk by Rialians On Earth.
- Vocals by Madame Gandhi, AleMor, and East Balkan Noble Voices.
- Percussion by Madame Gandhi.
The production team includes Nickarth, Billy Esteban, Antaeus, and Amman Ahmed. Engineering credits include Joe Maldonado, Tony Correlli, Alex Psaroudakis, Valdera, Stefan Petanovski, and Roman Uvarov.
Together, these contributions create a production that connects ambient electronic music with acoustic instrumentation and vocal traditions.
A Record Built Around Reflection
The creative direction of EKTĀ is closely connected to the role of ambient music as a space for reflection.
In a statement supplied by Cafe De Anatolia, the collective describes New Age and Ambient music as spaces where silence becomes part of the composition.
“With Ektā, we blended organic instruments, meditative voices, and ambient textures to create a soundtrack for reflection and inner peace.”
The group also emphasizes the international character of the project, describing the album as a collaboration between artists from different cultures and musical backgrounds.
The result is intended to give listeners room for their own interpretation, with meditation, mindfulness, and unity forming the central themes of the release.
Sony Music Publishing MENA and CAMELWAV
Sony Music Publishing MENA is identified in the supplied release material as the publishing team behind five Cafe De Anatolia-produced tracks: “Home,” “Ocean,” “Shiva Nirvana,” “Deep Water,” and “Desert Night.”
The works are attributed to Nikola Iliev (Nickarth), Monika Ilieva, and Zoran Iliev (Billy Esteban), identified as exclusive songwriters signed through Cafe De Anatolia’s publishing arm, CAMELWAV.
The publishing connection adds an industry dimension to a project that brings together a wide international network of musicians and producers.
EKTĀ and the 2027 GRAMMY® Consideration Campaign
Cafe De Anatolia, Antaeus, and Madame Gandhi are presenting EKTĀ for consideration in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for the 2027 GRAMMY® Awards, according to the official campaign pages.
The campaign material describes the album as a collaborative project that combines electronic production, traditional instruments, guided meditation, and influences from the Balkans, Mediterranean, Middle East, and India.
A consideration campaign should not be confused with an official nomination or award. The album’s consideration status is separate from the outcome of the awards process.
Listen to EKTĀ
EKTĀ is available on streaming platforms, including Spotify.
The album brings together nine compositions under one shared concept, connecting ambient sound, traditional instrumentation, and contemporary electronic production.
For listeners interested in New Age & Ambient music, the project offers an opportunity to explore a different side of Cafe De Anatolia’s catalogue.
Listen to the album
EKTĀ is a collaborative New Age & Ambient release from Cafe De Anatolia, bringing together international artists, traditional instruments, and electronic production around the theme of oneness.