Percussionist Jacob Cole debuts with a collection of 11 soulful compositions.
At first glance, the hang or handpand instruments that were first introduced in 2001 look a bit like a crude drawing of a 1960s-era flying saucer; and maybe in some ways that is an apt description, since their sound can sometimes feel otherworldly. Played with skill, they can definitely be used to create meditative compositions.
Destiny provides gorgeous music for your practice, work or play and sets a mood that is both inspirational and soothing.
Percussionist Jacob Cole has certainly excelled in his debut album Destiny. He’s been following his own destiny playing the drums since the age of seven and studying instruments including the frame drum, udu, kanjira, and tabla with noted teachers including Jamy Haddad and Ustad Zakir Hussain while a student at the Berklee College of Music.
Destiny is filled with 11 of Cole’s own compositions. The intro begins with a gentle trickle of wind chimes, and segues into a variety of offerings that use two different handpand instruments tuned to distinct notes, allowing him to blend a variety of sounds in the playful melodies. The album opens with a slow tempo and builds skillfully throughout the instrumental tracks. When the listener arrives at the sixth track “Ison,” the energy hits a subtle peak as “Ison” creates a strong percussive mood with egg shakers, udu, and an ocean drum. “The Ballad of the Hammar” stands true to its name with a lilting feel that inspires and heals.
Overall, Destiny provides gorgeous music for your practice, work or play and sets a mood that is both inspirational and soothing.
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.