Satsang Photo by Mark Cluney

Satsang Combines Eclectic Musical Roots with Meaningful Messages

Satsang’s music has roots in funk, folk rock, and hip-hop. Overall you’d file them under the category of “raising social consciousness,” along with other artists such as Citizen Cope, Ben Harper, and Michael Franti. Satsang is a superior example of the genre. They effortlessly demonstrate great musicality, with individual songs flexing solid skills that touch upon folk, hip-hop, jazz, and even Americana/country.

Kulture is their third, full-length studio album. Satsang has a lot to say in it about these troubling times of oligarchy and authoritarianism.

Listen to an Exclusive Album Preview of Kulture

Kulture Shares Musicality and Message

The first track starts out on a pensive note, with a voiceover dub from lead singer Drew McManus’ Des Moines art instructor Daniel Weiss.

Then Kulture evolves into “We’ll Stand,” in which lead singer Drew McManus demonstrates one of his many talents, the sort of reggae-tinged, syncopated, rhythmic delivery of syllables atop a contemplative groove. McManus is versatile and can easily morph into a more hip-hop, folk, or country style of singing. His voice often creates an appealing bit of distortion to emphasize certain words.

“Truth” leans more towards a funky, laid-back sound, reminiscent of Sublime. “Home” is one of the standout tracks, with a bit more of a country sound, a great piano line on the chorus, and fun background vocals. I should mention that the vocal arrangements in general on this entire album are really, really great.

Satsang Photo by Mark Cluney

 

“Me And You” also has a more decidedly country or “Americana” sound to it, especially with what sounds like steel guitar featured on the track. McManus seems like he would kill it working as a songwriter in Nashville. The jazzy, buttery-smooth track “Breathe” demonstrates some of the best vocal arrangements on the whole album.

“So Far” is my favorite track, a lot of fun production going on and a strong pop/funk feel you could imagine coming from Pharrell Williams. I love the high pitched, effect-heavy “So Far” vocal bit that floats in on the choruses. Rich 12-string guitar is the perfect companion to piano on the more contemplative “This Is War,” another genuine, standout track.

There is a lot to like about this album! It manages to put you in a pleasurable state while making you face the fact that our society needs a lot of work.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Sid Sriram Captivates

From the first moment I heard Sid Sriram sing on his debut album Entropy, I found his voice, style, and edge revelatory. This Indian-American singer/songwriter/producer (based in Northern California) was discovered by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, who has used Sriram’s vocals in many of his films. I love this debut, and will be recommending it to everyone I know.

Carnatic Singing

Siriam is well-known in India for his virtuosity as a Carnatic singer. A quick primer: There are two main sub-genres of Indian classical music evolved from ancient Hindu traditions. One is Hindustani music, a distinct form influenced by Persian or Islamic influences from Northern India. And two: Carnatic Music, which is associated more with Southern India.

Both subgenres feature vocal improvisation and exploration of “raga,” a style of singing that plays with an intricate pattern of notes with certain intervals, rhythms, and embellishments that dance up and down exotic musical scales. Nusrat Fati Ali Kahn was probably one of the most well-known singers that can flex this skill.

The essential differences between the two styles are in how songs are composed (the ragas at the heart of each style are structured differently) and in how they are performed. Carnatic music is typically performed by a vocalist supported by violin and various Indian percussion instruments whereas Hindustani music has the singer supported by harmonium and tablas.

Vocals and Styles on Entropy

“Eyes Open” starts out like a cross-pollination of Radiohead with Peter Gabriel’s The Passion of the Christ. Then it takes a twist into more modern, hiphop/rap elements when Sriram flexes an edgy and dark attitude, executing rap-like, rhythmic vocal lines appealingly warped by cool vocal effects.

“Isn’t It True” is a gorgeous song that demonstrates the beauty and purity of Sriram’s voice. The stripped down, clean guitar and Leslie organ perfectly support this well-crafted, soulful song with its heartbreaking lyric: “I don’t want to go outside.” It grabs you emotionally while maintaining restraint and mystery. “6 Weeks” has a more decidedly hiphop/R&B/pop feel, with very creative electronic production elements.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Artist and Singer Sangeeta Kaur

Sangeeta Kaur combines classical music with spiritual themes.

Sangeeta Kaur is a Vietnamese-American trained opera singer who has performed all over the world. She gravitated to mantra-style singing to bring healing and awakening through music and yoga.

Mirrors

Mirrors is Sangeeta’s third New Age/Classical crossover album. Accompanied by Nicolas Neidhart on piano/keys and multi-instrumentalist Dat Nguyen on guitars and flute, she showcases her sweet, clear, pure mezzo soprano. What’s refreshing about her musical style is how she expresses her classical music roots while layering on vocals and lyrics with a pop sensibility.

Songs to Stay Strong

This is demonstrated perfectly on “Bring It Down.” In her words, Sangeeta prays for help in finding ways to stay strong in the face of life’s suffering. Continuing on the darker theme is her cover of Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind.” It’s refreshing to hear someone in the sacred music genre address darkness and doubt.

On “I’m Not Gonna Break,” Sangeeta’s vocals on the chorus/refrain remind me of Paula Cole, the beloved pop singer who had her heyday in the 90s. Then, she takes an interesting turn back to a more purely classical style on “Adoro Te Devote.” Sangeeta begins with a gorgeous a cappella; as the song continues, she introduces layers of angelic background vocals, piano, and warm synth pads.

Songs to Give Thanks to the Divine

The final track, “Thank You,” takes on a world music sound through Asian flute stylings featured throughout. About four minutes in, Sangeeta Kaur flexes a bit of her operatic, dramatic vocal stylings. She builds in the emotional intensity of her gratitude, while keeping gentle, reverent restraint overall. It painted a story in my mind of a woman of simple means, anywhere in the world at any time in history, giving her thanks to the Divine for perhaps saving her ill child. True to the liner notes of the album, Kaur’s music does inspire you to “see life from a different perspective.”

Where to Buy Mirrors by Sangeeta Kaur

Mirrors is available in iTunes & you can even buy it on your iPhone here.

Mirrors is available on Google Play for Android here.

You can also buy a physical CD of Mirrors.

Learn more about Sangeeta Kaur at sangeetakaurmusic.com.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Self-titled ensemble debut Opium Moon is a supergroup with meditative soul.

Los Angeles-based ensemble Opium Moon produces some of the most enchanting music you’ll ever hear. I dabble in music scoring and licensing and immediately thought, “Music supervisors would kill for world music of this quality and beauty.” It brought to mind one of my favorite TV series scores of all time: Carnivale. Well, Opium Moon’s members already have a huge roster of film and television credits. They are a literal supergroup of composing and film scoring giants.

Lili Haydn’s Magic Violin

Violinist Lili Haydn was dubbed “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by musical icon George Clinton. In addition to performing with George Clinton, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and the divine Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (among others), Lili has had music in over 50 films. Haydn also sings and plays many other instruments. One wonders if she inherited some DNA from the great Austrian composer!

Musicians in Opium Moon

All of the musicians featured on Opium Moon have impressive credits to their names. Hamid Saeidi plays the santoor and has scored more than 30 films, TV shows, and dance and theatrical programs. The santoor, one of my favorite instruments to compose with, is also known as the Indian/Persian dulcimer. Bassist Itai Disraeli has many film/TV music placements; additionally he formed an experimental band with Jackson Browne and created the music program at the Los Angeles Wildwood School. Finally, percussionist M.B. Gordy’s expressive playing can be heard on shows such as Mad Men, Battlestar Galactica and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I love his work with the Irish bodhran, which is a frame drum held vertically upright and played with a double-ended wooden dowel. As pressure is applied to the drum and it is struck in different locations, the pitch and tonal quality of the sound changes.

Self-Titled Debut Album Opium Moon

Opium Moon’s self-titled debut is a long-form work of dreamy, meditative, and exotic music. It’s the kind of music you’d hear a gypsy caravan play around a dying fire with some new Middle Eastern friends they met on the road. The instruments flow together seamlessly. Each once comes forward at different moments to take center stage and then withdraws again. Every performer on this album seems to pay so much reverence and respect to creating a balanced soundscape. There is not one performer being too over the top or showing off, even though it’s clear the musicianship is spectacular and they certainly could “riff” impressively. The intelligent, meditative state and mood here is honored at all times.

How Can I Pray?

Over the hypnotic percussion, Haydn’s gorgeous, slinky, emotive violin effortlessly slips and slides around the dancing, peppery quality of the dulcimer. At the same time, the bass lines interweave themselves into the music conversation. I love when the instruments unite together to play the lead melodic theme of the song, then disperse again. The best track demonstrating this is “How Can I Pray When the Beloved Is All I See.” (What a great title!) This song definitely tells a story. Perhaps of a young man trying to concentrate on his religious devotion while an exotic woman dances before him. At least, that’s my story. Maybe when you hear it you’ll have your own.

Learn More about Opium Moon

Learn more and listen to some sample tracks: Opium Moon.

GRAMMY Nomination 2019

Congratulations to Opium Moon for winning a GRAMMY in the 2019 GRAMMY Awards in the New Age Music category.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Opium Moon Creates Enchanting World Music appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Artist Jai Jagdeesh

Jai Jagadeesh: Spirituality and Song

Actress, classical Indian dancer, photographer, writer and musician Jai-Jagdeesh spent years traveling throughout Northern India. At the time, she was as a musical representative for Yogi Bhajan’s foreign education program to further global understanding and practice of the sacred texts of the Kundalini Yoga. She also has had the opportunity to connect with audiences at various live performances, festivals, and vocal workshops around the world.

Her previous studio album releases have garnered much critical acclaim, with one reaching #6 on the Billboard New Age Music chart. Her latest offering is: Down Come The Walls.

Down Come the Walls

I was immediately struck by the youthful timelessness of her voice and its combination of warmth and vulnerability. The album starts off with the beautiful track “Aykaa Maaee.” Here, her delicate voice is supported by a classical guitar and string quartet. The song “The Gift” has a pensive, blues-y feel to it that it reminiscent of Fiona Apple. “Har Har Har Gobinday” has an addictive and mysterious melody that you can’t stop repeating in your mind…certainly the perfect way to put you in a meditative mode.

On the gentle, waltz-like “Sohung (Sa Ta Na Ma),” the cello is nearly heartbreaking in its beauty. A dreamy sounding surf guitar adds its touch to the song later on. It’s gone in such a fleeting moment, I would have loved to hear more.

Jai-Jagdeesh clearly demonstrates not only incredible musical talent, but an authentic connection with and understanding of the power of these sacred chants. She is not a “show off” vocalist; she allows the true beauty of the chant to come through by paying due respect to the words and the melody.

Jai Jagdeesh on Tour

Jai-Jagdeesh is on tour in Fall, 2018 with California dates including in Encinitas, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, and more.

 

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Down Come the Walls by Jai-Jagdeesh appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Todd Boston is no newcomer to the conscious music scene. His albums have topped the list of various World/New Age listening charts throughout the years. A composer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, he fuses world music together with live looping and computer technology. Todd tours internationally supporting concerts, festivals, and yoga classes. He performs regularly with artists such as Snatam Kaur and one of my personal musical heroes, bassist Tony Levin.

ONE by Todd Boston

ONE is Todd’s latest album. It is a project that has been in the making for five years. He plays all of the various instruments on ONE as he takes the listener on a sonic journey of organic textures of guitar, percussion, orchestral instruments, and environmental field recordings.

The title track “One” begins the immediate shift into a tranquil sonic world. In “Fresh Strings,” Todd begins to flex his refined musical muscle with layers of beautiful guitar stylings, topped by lap steel guitar mimicking the flavor of sitar.

Favorite Tunes on ONE

“Ambrosia,” my favorite track, is a stripped down and mysterious track combining bamboo flute, GuitarViol and guitar ukulele. This song could be the beautiful sonic backdrop in a movie scene showing the rustic countryside going by through a train window. It reminds me of the high-quality and lush recordings you can often find on Putamayo world music compilations. Not surprisingly, Todd’s songs have been a part of those compilations.

Another one of my favorites is “Hawk Medicine.” Here, more of Todd’s guitar magic shines. He really makes the guitar a contemplative extension of himself. I also appreciate how he layers so many stringed instruments in one track without having them compete too much in the arrangement.

Todd Boston describes music as an “ally, teacher and friend.” His aim is to spread this same positive musical healing to listeners. I’d say Todd has more than accomplished this on ONE.

More music by Todd Boston

Read Dan Blanchard’s review of Todd Boston’s album Touched by the Sun here.

Learn more about Todd Boston and his music on his website ToddBoston.com

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post ONE by Todd Boston appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When a yogi and a hip-hop artist decide to join forces and help counteract the craziness that’s going in our world, wonderful things happen….like the new album Inclusion Revolution: Together with Love. It’s an amazing example of a spiritual hip hop meditation combination.

Sister Jenna and JoRob Provide Soulful Musical Meditation

Sister Jenna is the founder of the Meditation Museum in Washington D.C. and host of a popular online syndicated radio show America Meditating. She and hip-hop artist JoRob (Waldron) have come together to provide a soothing, soulful musical meditation experience. They are joined by Kristin Hoffmann and Paul Luftenegger who also provide music on the album.

Inclusion Revolution: Together with Love is a Spiritual Hip Hop Meditation Experience

Inclusion Revolution: Together with Love is a great concept to help bring newcomers into the meditation movement. Meditation can be too intimidating and exotic for many people to wrap their heads around…thus, they may never start. This work provides different beautiful, downtempo musical arrangements fused with hip-hop and soul. The music serves as a bed supporting Sister Jenna’s gentle voice. Her voice is warm and loving, and instantly shifts your psyche into one that is constructive and positive.

The Soul Feels–Meditations on Inclusion Revolution: Together with Love

One of the best things we can do is wake up every day and begin with Sister Jenna’s voice and wise words filling our heads before we set out into the world among other confused, anxious humans. She reminds us of ancient truths: “We are all the same. We are all included. The Soul feels.”

“Feeling Safe” is an important meditation for many of us. We have seen how fear is fueling so many terrible acts in our world now more than ever before. “Feeling Safe” can be your antidote to the 24-hour news cycle.

“The Remedy” is another one of my favorite tracks, both sonically and conceptually. Sister Jenna helps us to tap into the “sparkling energy of the soul that lives behind the eyes.” I have a feeling if I met Sister Jenna that’s exactly what I would see in her eyes.

I like the way this album is mixed: The voiceover and music seem to have very equal presence. If the music was mixed too low, I don’t think the album with have the same energizing effect that it does. I find that while listening my concentration tends to gently slide from music to words and back to music again. This provides an effect that is calming while sustaining energy and focus.

For those of us feeling the extra tension in the air lately, on both personal and political levels, Inclusion Revolution: Together with Love is a valuable addition to your toolkit for staying calm and strong each day.

Related
Read Sister Jenna’s Advice for Meditation

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Darren Marc is a self-described mystic, world traveler, and ambassador of change dedicated to spreading positive vibes.

 
He began writing and performing music at a young age and as he progressed into his 20s, he fronted two pop bands who toured the US and Asia. His original solo music has landed placement on many TV shows and even garnered Grammy consideration for (“Whole Lot of Love”) a song on MTV’s Real World.
 
During his time as a performer in LA, he also evolved as a yoga teacher and Reiki healer, which led to a strong calling to pursue kirtan and sacred music.
 

 

About Let It Shine

Let It Shine is Darren’s latest album. This entire work is full of well-crafted, inspirational pop songs, with rich and tasteful acoustic guitar interwoven throughout.“Home Sweet Om” is a soothing, classic Americana-style track with Darren’s pure and straightforward voice, joined on the choruses by Lauren Beth Brown, whose voice blends so perfectly with Darren.
 
“Love and Grace” is another standout track that also features Brown and continues along the gentle Americana vibe. It is followed by “Waves of Divinity” which has the pleasant surprise of a horn section and back-up vocals by Jeri Silverman.
 
My favorite track is “Heaven is All I See.” Silverman joins in for this pretty little ballad with jazz flourishes and piano featured prominently in the instrumentation.
 

It seems that Darren is imparting a very sweet, simple, and loving vibe with his music as an extension of his personality.

 
Let It Shine could be especially suitable for kids given the uncomplicated, positive messages in the lyrics. It seems that Darren is imparting a very sweet, simple, and loving vibe with his music as an extension of his personality.
 

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Let It Shine by Darren Marc: A Music Review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

About Travelers Dosti Music Project

Beyond the artistic values, this collaboration has political significance as it involves participation from artists representing a number of very different religions and cultures. The album is symbolic of the kind of connection we need to find during these especially troubling times of religious extremism, nationalism, and authoritarianism.
 
The veritable smorgasbord of sounds and musical styles on Travelers serves to both fascinate and delight the listener. This highly creative and original work reinvents traditional tunes, incorporating everything from Appalachian fiddle to Karachi minimalist electronica to classical Hindustani song. Musical elements that would be considered disparate become unified in a new global sonic experience.
 

About the Album and Favorite Tracks

Travelers opens with “Majare,” an intriguing blend of lovely folk guitar and Indian instrumentation (I believe I hear both sitar and banjo on this track–of course those two instruments go together!) and lively, upbeat female vocals from Debasmita Bhattacharya. The tune “Janiya” intriguingly marries traditional Indian instruments with European reeds such as the clarinet and saxophone.
 
This interesting project takes a very surprising turn on one of my favorite tracks, “Travelers.” A song both dreamy and ethereal that toggles between singers and languages, with fiddle as the leading instrument supported by what sounds like psychedelic guitar with lots of reverb. It’s a gorgeous tune that ends way too quickly at 2:38 minutes.
 
“Patience” is another favorite, with a pensive, chilled-out, Zero 7 vibe from the opening Rhodes keyboard and topped by faerie-like, dream-pop vocals of female music producer Slowspin from Karachi, Pakistan. Slowspin is definitely someone I’ll be watching and listening to from now on.
 
The final tune, the mysterious “Carmen”, features stop-you-in-your-tracks, heart-breaking vocals from Nandi Rose Plunkett, also known by her artist name, “Half Waif.” It’s tricky to decipher which instruments are being used on this track. The liner notes list “keys and synths,” but I also hear something that sounds like Chinese erhu combined with a sitar.
 
The outburst of vocalizations you hear at minute 1:38 is incredibly genius and intricate, similar to something you’d hear from Imogen Heap (and that comparison is a pretty high bar to achieve, in my opinion).
 
Like “Travelers,” “Carmen” is over way too quickly and almost feels unfinished, like a thought trailing off… I’m not sure if that was the intention, but it has compelled me to listen to the track about a dozen times in a row, trying to decrypt the lyrics and meaning. I love music that makes me think and question.
 

A Big “Thank You” to Travelers Dosti Music Project

I’m so thankful to Found Sound Nation collaborations like Travelers Dosti Music Project, that expose me to entirely new kinds of complex, layered musical fusions and amazing female musicians.
 

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Music Review: Travelers Dosti Music Project appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The band Dub Sutra describe themselves as “an eclectic mix of electronic dub downtempo with harmonizing chant and live instruments perfect for chill, yoga, lounge, and moving meditation.” They’ve been taking this music around the world at yoga classes and festivals. Their second album, All Is Love Is All by Dub Sutra, achieves a splendid balance between the trifecta of vocal chant, beats, and organic live instruments.

It builds on the blissful experience of their first album, the Rise of Downtempo, with more distinct tracks and musical styles.

“All Is Love” opens with buttery, warm layers of human voices in the circular chant. “Bow to You” morphs the electronic-dub sample approach in an extended, contemplative mix. “Heightened Awareness” transitions us to meditating on the feminine/goddess aspect of the Divine, weaving a magical spiral of female song and spoken word around a central core of cosmic dub groove.

“Gaia Love” makes a more decisive turn towards a dark synth, slightly techno flavor of dub, but of course the spiral of chant is always present.  Three minutes in, I love how the track takes an even more aggressive synth edge. There’s a reason you hear this kind of soundtrack so often on many Burning Man documentary videos – it’s the sound and feel that helps capture that juncture of curiosity, mysticism, and technology.

My favorite track on All is Love is All by Dub Sutra is “Breathe With Me,” because conceptually, our breath is the pure essence of our yoga practice as well as our very existence. In a similar vein, this track is clean, stripped-down, and elemental; relatively dry, effect-free beats and instrumentation float underneath the vocal. I love the vocals here; it is hard to tell if this is a male, female, Indian, African…perhaps the perfect world citizen to carry forward Dub Sutra’s mission of moving meditation.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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We should be thankful for DJ Drez. He’s one of the LA underground music pioneers who helped expand what our notion of devotional music could be by embracing the stylistic grooves of hiphop, soul, jazz, and chill electronic beats. I remember when a friend lent me The Capture of Sound CD years ago, and what a positive vibe it evoked, how mature the production and musicality were. If you’ve missed his music, you should invest in DJ Drez’ entire catalog, as it will expand your brain to so many new soundscapes and instrumentation. Also, try to experience him live at one of the many upcoming music festivals.

There’s a sense of grounding and authenticity that has always come through DJ Drez’s music. He is a yoga teacher and surely the connection to center and self-realization that yoga can bring also helps his music expand and flourish.
Marti Nikko is the long-time musical and life partner of Dj Drez. Marti’s father was a jazz pianist, so she spent her childhood in nightclubs, studying and synthesizing the art and sound of many jazz musicians. Marti’s voice is warm and slightly raspy, with the same appeal as a worn-out LP you can’t stop pulling out of your collection to listen to again and again. Like DJ Drez, Marti is also a yoga teacher.

It’s such a pleasure to hear the effortless exchange of musical creativity between these two on Explorers of Infinity, their latest collaboration, now available on iTunes. We are treated to a special kind of collaborative intimacy that can only come from artists who are not only strong in their own individual ways, but who have invested years perfecting their fused approach.
“Jai Sri Radhe” immediately plunges you into the relaxed, playful mood of the album. Buttery Rhodes’ keyboard riffs, slow and funky bass lines, and Marti’s rich voice all interweave so perfectly. I love the interplay in the middle of the song between Marti’s vocals and the sax, “singing” an octave apart from each other, with Drez’s skillful turntablism sprinkled throughout.

“Natajara” is a dub send up, with a perfect balance of space and different instruments stepping forward for moments, then hanging back. “Nataraja” refers to the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic ecstatic dancer. I found the more downtempo, dub groove very interesting to represent this idea.
The title track, “Explorers of Infinity” starts with a sample from one of my favorite classical piano pieces (“Gymnopédie No.1 by Erik Satie). Marti’s voice is lovingly, respectfully layered on top, chanting the sacred words “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.” Next, a crisp cello adds its voice to the track. If this song doesn’t burst your heart wide open, I’m not sure what will.

Other standout moments on this album: Get ready for a jolt of energy and inspiration on “Ganapati,” a bouncy, double-time track that has some sonic elements of glitch hop, dubstep, and maybe a wink at the more recent EDM “trap” trend. Marti’s rapid-fire “chant-rap” on this track is very cool. What better track to pay homage to the playful god Ganesha?

I also love it when Marti layers her lovely voice into triads, as with the repeated chant on “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavant.” The expansive, spacey, mushroom-jazz feel of “Making Space” is irresistible. If you want to walk into a room with real presence and make an impression, mentally warm up with this track in your headphones.

Every track on this album is fantastic, each with so much character and depth. It’s not easy to make mechanized beats and loops express a soul and voice of their own when they come together, but DJ Drez overwhelmingly succeeds on this album (as always). To be honest, sometimes I’m not sure where the live instruments versus samples lay on this work, but I love not knowing. Add the glittering presence of Marti’s vocal stylings, and you have an spectacular combination.

Check out the album on iTunes

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Canadian Brenda McMorrow is a devotional kirtan artist inspired by folk melodies, world beats, and sacred Indian devotional chants. She is one of the most recent artists on White Swan Records, a music label that brought us such delights as Deva Premal and specializes in cultivating spiritual, meditative, healing music for the yoga world and beyond.

Kirtan is a participatory, “call and response form of singing” where a mantra and melody are sung by the lead singer and the crowd responds by singing it back. This type of devotional music has gained a lot of popularity in the West in recent years as more people discover how healing, uplifting, and just pure fun it can be.

Brenda McMorrow’s fourth album, My Heart Bows Down to You, features some Spanish lyrics inspired by time recently spent in Spain, Peru, and Mexico. Warren Huart produced the album and contributes guitar, mandolin, keyboard and piano on many tracks. I’ve heard a few of McMorrow’s tunes before, and was always struck by the playful lightness in her timeless and youthful voice. That playful quality jumps out from the very first track “You Are Light.”

McMorrow makes simple and elegant choices with regard to the vocal arrangements, splitting her voice into lovely and mysterious fourths and octaves. The title track “My Heart Bows Down to You” features a harmonium, upright bass, and catchy melody and lyrics that I could imagine any contemporary pop artist singing. Eventually this song shifts from the intimate feel of being just McMorrow and a few instruments to a full, rich chorus of voices, expressing the connectedness of all humanity. I also loved the more rock/bluesy attitude of “All One Song” where the vocal melody in the chorus (“it’s love…..love”) is catchy. McMorrow’s sense of pop hooks and melodies that listeners can connect to is superb.

“Grace Surrounding” also has that rootsy, Americana-influenced feel. The mandolin strumming in the background of this song gives it a momentum that helps keeps me going when I’m feeling a bit down, and I especially love when the mandolin takes more center stage later in the song. I was particularly impressed with the production on “Grace Surrounding” because there’s a lot of instrumentation in this song: guitar, mandolin, piano, and other instruments, but everything is balanced and complimentary.

My Heart Bows Down to You is just another great example of how sophisticated, well-crafted, and accessible devotional music has become. For more information about this release and her previous albums, visit her website BrendaMcMorrow.com.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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The album opens in a small and intimate way. “Om Mani Peme Hum Remix” begins with minimalist instrumentation, gently supporting a Tibetan monk’s pure voice. It feels as is if you’re experiencing a private concert. Eventually, the song expands in instrumentation and production, and Harrington’s and other voices step forward to join in the song. Finally the chant evolves a more uptempo double-time groove. This kind of grooving, celebratory vibe tinged with gospel strikes me as Harrington’s signature style.

“Om Namah Shivaya” is a refreshing flavor of rootsy, bluesy gospel–definitely not a style you hear often in devotional albums. Harrington’s vocals on this track range from a rich, deep alto (along the lines of Bonnie Raitt) up to unexpectedly high registers. There is an explosive joy coming through here.

In looking for a more introspective track, I was struck by “Govinda Hare (For Shyamdas).” This song has an Appalachian flavor to it. I’m not sure if an accordion or harmonium was used on this song, and I like that I don’t know! Harrington’s vocal arrangements are perfect here, interweaving and gently building and diversifying so that you never tire of the repeat.

Finally, who can resist a track called “Shiva Shakti (Lord of the Disco Dance)?” Oh yes, it’s exactly what you would expect: a bumping, groovy disco anthem celebrating divine female power! All female vocals on this tune, naturally.

Beyond the Beyond reminds you that Mantra can be communal and exhilarating as well as private and mysterious.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Beyond the Beyond Music Review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Triad is the latest release from Hendrik Weber (aka Pantha du Prince), a German Minimal Techno/House producer and composer and installation artist. In the crowded electronic music space, Pantha du Prince has carved a unique sound of ethereal, melodic, and acoustic elements, field recordings, and psychedelic dream pop that I suspect has had influence on the Detroit techno scene, as well as artists like Depeche Mode, Ullrich Schnauss, Jon Hopkins, and Amon Tobin. These are all artists who have made their way into my yoga class playlists!

On this album, Pantha du Prince says he wanted, “To give a space for this very direct, human appearance, which is also a liberating thing.” He lends his gentle vocals to much of the album which allows us to hear his personal voice, rather than being overwhelmed in technology. The album was recorded at a studio immersed in the natural surroundings of Germany where he stocked a treasure trove of vintage synths and gear. Pantha also says, “I wanted to cut through the digital dust that surrounds us.” There’s no particular hook or drop in any song here, so you can lose yourself in the sound.

My favorite tracks include “Lichterschaus,” with its edgy groove, featuring trance-like bells that dominate and create a magical soundscape. “Dream Yourself Awake” playfully turns a house loop upside down and inside out; “Lions Love” has a droning foundation underneath the beat, topped by a dark synth layer.

Experiencing this album is like twirling inside a wind-up, electro music box full of hypnotic, candy-sweet sound. Panther du Prince has a regular yoga practice, which is reflected in a gentle, intimate joy and sense of balance in his music. Pantha plans some live festival dates with delicious visuals. I’ve set my radar on high alert for live show announcements.

Visit Rough Trade Records for more information on Pantha du Prince’s The Triad.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Bosse Skoglund and Zilverzurf are world-renowned Swedish musicians who specialize in creating and producing amazing percussion and bass soundscapes. Though I was not familiar with them I am a fan of Zilverzurf’s daughter, singer-songwriter Lykke Li. What a fantastic sonic and spiritual delight it was to discover their music through the new album, Mantra Sessions.

Mantra Sessions, set for release around Skoglund’s 80th birthday, is a dense and colorful montage of vocal mantra, jazz guitar, tribal percussion, saxophone, slinky bass, and many other world instruments delivered through a dreamy lens of reverb and delay. I love that the vocal mantra is on the same level as all the instruments; it doesn’t dominate but serves as a mysterious looping element within the overall soundscape meant to permeate your subconscious. This is an experimental work overall, meant for a trance-like state of listening more than mass commercial appeal.

Each track takes you on a brief dive into its own secret world. For me, “Prosperity Dub” sets a grounded energy, yet surprises with touches and flourishes of horns. Saxophone and Rhodes keyboard have an exotic conversation on the track “Mantra for Peace.” “Disappear Dub” created the effect of helping me shut out outside distractions and draw my focus within. “Health & Happiness” is a beautiful and uplifting track to begin your day.

Enjoy each song as it draws you in to your own experiences in this fascinating collection.

Purchase Mantra Sessions here.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Mantra Sessions music review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Influenced by her world travels, Tina Malia’s Bridge to Vallabha, features a compilation of prayers, mantras, and songs sung in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Gurmukh, and English.

Malia plays guitar, vibraphone, charangon, lap steel guitar, cello and keyboards and is accompanied by Donna De Lory, Heather Wertheimer, Karnamrita Dasi, Jai-Jagdeesh, Peia, and Sasha Rose.

Malia’s angelic voice maintains a balance between lightness and a sincere presence. The track “Om Sarve“ reveals a clear mastery of vocal tracking and harmonies and a melody that feels like a familiar gypsy ballad. “Ima Adama” has a catchy, folk-pop style that would fit in on popular radio.

“Eck Ong Kar” has one of the most unique takes on this mantra with Malia’s a cappella approach: a simple vocal melody reminiscent of an indigenous African tune paired with hand claps. Listening to the way the mantra loops induces a state of trance. It is one of my personal favorites: I interpret it as a call to inspiration and truth.

“Oushadim” feels dreamy and experimental; the minimalist electronic synth pads feel mysterious, and the violin is so gorgeous and expressive, in the style of a Chinese Erhu. 

This album contains my current favorite rendition of “Long Time Sun.” I like how Malia did some interesting change-ups on the arrangement while keeping the integrity of the melody. Anyone should be exceedingly impressed at the broad skill and taste of Malia’s songwriting, arrangements, and production on Bridge to Vallabha. 

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Like a River to the Sea uses traditional kirtan instruments to produce chakra-expanding sounds.

Singer, violinist, and composer Jahnavi Harrison has an interesting backstory; she grew up in the Hare Krishna community Bhaktivedanta Manor, a beautiful country estate in the UK donated by George Harrison and the largest Hare Krishna community in Europe. At 19, she was part of a group of 50 Hare Krishna youth touring America; this experience inspired her to found Kirtan London, which provides mantra performance and education worldwide.

 Like a River to the Sea features songs from the Bhakti yoga tradition, set to new melodies and musical arrangements. Its diverse instrumentation includes traditional kirtan instruments (like the harmonium) as well as piano, West African kora, and cello. I was moved and stunned by the beauty of the instruments and arrangements here. The cello is one of my favorite elements throughout this album, providing a delightful counterpoint voice to Jahnavi.

“Hymn for Govinda” is possibly the most gorgeous, heart chakra-expanding version of this mantra I’ve ever heard. “Madhava’s Lullaby” is another standout that maintains a lovely balance between creative musical momentum and grounded, thoughtful mantra. Being raised in a loving, expressive childhood helped lend a pure, angelic quality to Jahnavi’s voice. I love that it is pitched a little bit more on the alto side, and she reminds me of indie artist Butterfly Boucher. There is an impressive maturity to her musical composition.

Like a River to the Sea is a deeply satisfying masterpiece for any lover of great music, not just within the devotional music scene.

Like a River to the Sea

Jahnavi Harrison

Mantralogy

By McKenna Rowe, a DJ, yoga teacher, and founder of Chakra 5 Yoga & Wellness: chakra5.la.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Like a River to the Sea Music Review appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The first track sets the bar for a beautiful, transformative musical experience: “Invocation (Chaitanya Mantra)” begins with a mysterious sitar drone followed by stunning viola and then the soothing, collective voice of The Hanumen. I could reference Ladysmith Black Mambazo here, but I find The Hanumen take a more reverent, subtle approach that I prefer. Their voices sound like a living harmonium.

“Jai Hanuman” has a more adventurous vibe featuring funk guitar, grooving tablas, and drums. Still, everything is subtly and tastefully executed. The Hanumen don’t let production and instrumentation get in the way of the importance of the words and melody of these sacred chants. I enjoyed the surprise of syncopated vocalizations in this tune (a nod to Trilok Gurtu).

“Flowers and Death” is a thoughtful and meditative track with interesting lyrics (special treat: sung in English!) that will be a permanent fixture in my yoga classes. It’s a perfect lead up to savasana and positive intention-setting.

This album features so many different instruments, including a horn section…some you would not expect from a devotional album. Yet the real highlight is the pure and resounding celebration of the male voice.

Leaps and Bounds

by The Hanumen

(Mantralogy)

By McKenna Rowe, a DJ, yoga teacher, and founder of Chakra 5 Yoga & Wellness: www.chakra5.la.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Dub Kirtan All Stars is a collaboration between David Starfire (world music DJ and one of my musical heroes), DJ/breakbeat producer FreQ Nasty, and a team of talented artists (Chaytanya, Srikala, MC Yogi, Donna De Lory, J Brave, Arjun Baba, Lili Haydn, Rik Sharaj, Ysanne Spevack, DVine 1, and Claire Thompson). In Bhakti Juggernaut, they successfully interweave ancient Yoga devotional chants with modern Dub/Electronic Music and a message of positive transformation.

The fusion of yoga with electronic music has been evolving for years and as a fan and producer of electronic music, I’ve found myself sonically fatigued by a lot of what I’m hearing. Yet in Bhakti Juggernaut, Starfire and FreQ Nasty deliver.

One of the first tracks that grabbed me is the re-imagining of “Om Namah Shivaya.” The backdrop of hard-hitting beats and growly bass is an authentic marriage of both worlds allowing the triumph and celebration in the chant to shine with this fresh sonic point of view. The tasteful production throughout allows different elements in the music to breathe. For example, the track “Hey Vinayaka” is almost devoid of beats with minimalist electronic production, letting the chant serve as the star performance.

I loved the live instruments and conscious hip hop rappers. Srikala on “Kunja Bihari” has great lyrics and presence. MC Yogi also makes an appearance in the dub-driven “Supreme Magnetic.” Bhakti Juggernaut is a true gem.

McKenna Rowe is the founder of Chakra 5 Yoga and Wellness, a yoga teacher, and DJ. www.chakra5.la

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Music Review: Yoga Lounge (PUTUMAYO) by Various Artists

Putumayo has long been famous for introducing quality world music compilations. While the overall vibe of Yoga Lounge is thoughtful and subdued, it’s engaging and full of sonic surprises.

Every musical arrangement is rich, organic, and authentic. Ben Leibach (a much sought-after world/devotional music producer) treats us to Jai Uttal’s rich voice accompanied by dark and moving instrumentation on “Rama Bolo.” Stevin McNamara’s guitar work on “Prajna’s Dream” is tender and simple, yet intelligent. DJ Drez’ “Nectar Drop” drips with a syrupy and addictive concoction of earthy drums, sitar drone, tables, and dub beat.

The most adventurous track is “Sapano Se Pucho,” sung by Japjit Kaur, whose voice is so otherworldly you’ll think you’ve accidentally stumbled upon a singing butterfly or fairy.  Producer Niraj Chang pairs her delicate voice with equally delicate melodic strings and piano buoyed by a groovy beat both organic and funky. Another honorable mention is “Om Tare Tuttare,” featuring Donna DeLory. The delicious smacking sound of the drums is so well recorded you feel like the drummer is performing just a few feet in front of you, and I love the intriguing little “glitch hop” vocal loop from DeLory throughout the song. This album is full of surprises, from throat singing to Tibetan monks. The entire feel is an active meditation, thoughtful while sustaining energy. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by McKenna Rowe, a DJ, yoga teacher, and founder of Chakra 5 Yoga which provides mobile yoga classes on location and by appointment to students throughout Los Angeles.  http://www.chakra5.la

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Music Review: Yoga Lounge (PUTUMAYO) appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Music Review: Back to the Garden by Annmarie Soul

Originally from Michigan, Annmarie Soul’s first class at Jivamukti Yoga in NYC sparked her commitment to yoga and devotional music. After traveling, training in yoga, and perfecting her songwriting, Annmarie rooted in LA, teaching throughout Los Angeles as well as at festivals including Bhakti Fest, BaliSpirit Festival, Lightning in a Bottle, and Moksha Festival.

The production on her latest release Back to the Garden has a sincere and pure sound that perfectly matches the sincerity and purity of her voice. At the heart of the songs, acoustic guitar and her voice dominate and maintain a soft intimacy with the listener—as if she’s performing just for you on her porch in the early morning hours.

The title track “Back to the Garden” features delicate, flute-like vocal harmonies that weave in and out of each other effortlessly on top of gentle brush drums. Soul puts just enough, shall we say, “soul” into her vocals to maintain interest and not let them float away into the background completely. “Ready” unexpectedly and pleasantly blends flute and guitar, topped again with Soul’s sweet and wholesome voice. “Be a Blessing” is a standout track that brings to mind Gordon Lightfoot. This entire album has a lovely simplicity that makes it accessible to people of all ages and musical aptitudes, with enough general appeal to reach well outside yoga and devotional circles.

Reviewed by McKenna Rowe, a DJ, yoga teacher, and founder of Chakra 5 Yoga which provides mobile yoga classes on location and by appointment to students throughout Los Angeles.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

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Universal Light Remixes (From The Unchanging), Donna De Lory CD Review

De Lory Music

Donna De Lory is a strong presence in both the pop and world music scenes; her initial career boost came as a hard-working back-up singer for Madonna before taking off as a pop star in her own right. After some successful pop releases in the early 90s, she shifted her focus toward world and sacred music.

Her latest release, Universal Light Remixes, completely reimagines the songs from her album The Unchanging, and the attitude and risk-taking in the innovative musical arrangements and production really won me over, especially since I found The Unchanging needed a bit more yang to support Donna’s delicate voice.

Here, “Om Namah Shivaya” features a rousing, African-influence groove, with Donna’s vocals taking on more attitude. I’m a huge fan of David StarFire, and I enjoyed his cubby, dark remix of “Jai Mata Kali,” another track where Donna’s vocals assume some serious attitude. It works and is a reminder that mantra can be rousing and magnificent. “Amma” has an addictive momentum in the beat – you won’t want it to end. The spacey tech-house feel of “Praying for Love” is one of my favorite tracks. And, you’ve never heard a take on “Amazing Grace” as unique as Donna’s, which says a lot.

This album is another beautiful example of the successful bridge between world devotional music and electronica.

Universal Light Remixes (From the Unchanging) [Bonus Track Edition]

Reviewed by McKenna Rowe, a DJ, yoga teacher, and founder of Chakra 5 Yoga which provides mobile yoga classes on location and by appointment to students throughout Los Angeles.

McKenna Rowe

McKenna caught the “yoga bug” as a little girl, watching Lilias Folan on PBS. She leads an active life hiking, running, sometimes snowboarding, and once was a nationally-ranked equestrian. After years of working in the digital industry for clients in entertainment, publishing and fashion, she took a sabbatical to acquire her yoga teacher certification. A desire to help people heal soon followed. Also a successful musician and composer, McKenna shares cutting-edge music during yoga classes, recruiting musicians and DJs to perform with her. She owned and operated East Hollywood’s Chakra 5 Yoga studio throughout 2011, creating a vibrant community on and offline, but decided to shift to a mobile model. Now Chakra 5 brings yoga classes on site and by appointment to businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. McKenna was certified in Hatha/Kundalini at Karuna Yoga, and has additional teacher training in Restorative Yoga with Master Teacher Judith Lasater. She teaches yoga at Chakra 5 classes and international retreats.

www.chakra5.la

The post Universal Light Remixes (From The Unchanging), Donna De Lory appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.