Sada Sat Kaur has been putting out her melodic chants for many years and her music is seasoned like the light moving into the seeds of the heart. Mantra Masala is Kaur’s latest Spirit Voyage release and it will bring joy to her dedicated followers and newcomers. Kaur is one of the best in the field of sacred chanting and probably one of the more underrated chanters out there. I think Kaur’s lack of notoriety is due to the fact that many yogis either stick with the music related to their specific path or discipline or with what is popular. Kaur is a master chanter – she has an amazing voice that has professional depth combined with the kind of musical knowledge that is all too rare in chanting world.
Produced by Herb Graham Jr., this album includes eight tracks composed by Kaur and fellow Los Angeles musicians and devotees. Like all of Kaur’s albums, each chant is delivered with plenty of energy and devotion. Her voice sings from the light and she embraces the path with clarity and kindness. She is accompanied by some critically acclaimed Los Angeles musicians including Jeremy Toback on guitar, Sada Sat Singh on tablas and Graham on bass and other instruments. The production is pristine with high-level clarity and sweet instrument and mixing choices.
The repetitive chants are not entirely call-and-response although there is enough room to imagine where we would be singing along. If you enjoy sacred music that is sung and performed with total authenticity and excellent musicianship, Mantra Masala is an excellent choice. The CD begins with a vibrant “Har Har Har Har Gobinday” that keeps the rhythm and energy up-regulated. “Love In My Heart” and Sochai Soch” are ballads that fall like satin on the heart. Then there are the island-influenced tracks like “Gobinday Mukanday” that will have listeners moving, dancing, grooving and smiling all day. I recommend it for all yogis of any discipline. Kaur is a gift to the world. spiritvoyage.com
–– Reviewed by Michael R. Mollura, a composer, musician and PhD student at Pacifica: michaelmollura@gmail.com
Guided Meditation for Self Healing
Meditating can sometimes seem daunting, intimidating; even seemingly unobtainable. Yet the research elucidating the benefits of meditation increase each year. For those people who are looking for a skillful guide into the practice, in the comfort of their own home, iPod, cushion or mat, Francis M. Crim, PhD’s release, A Guided Meditation for Self-Healing, can do just that. Crim has decades of practice leading people through the meditative process with his resonant and healing voice. Friends, clients and others continuously asked him to provide guided mediations for them, which served as the impetus for the production of a series of audio CDs, of which Self-Healing is the highly anticipated second release. Here, Crim collaborates with experienced musician and composer Robert A. Lane who has created an soundtrack for the soul.
This two-disc package contains one set of guided meditation and one music-only collection. The guided series begins with ethereal, harmonic “Oms” that set the vibration. “Preparing to Heal” allows the body to embrace healing with a guided relaxation that layers Crim’s breathy instruction with soothing sounds of birdsong and Lane’s lyric composition. Throughout the CD, “Oms” resonate imprinting this ancient syllable in the body in a welcoming and healing manner. The artists suggest listening from start to finish or choosing a series, such as “Om,” “Preparing,” and then one of the guided light meditations, such as Green, White, Blue, Pink as well as the closing practice, “You Are Love.” In this way, a healing meditation session of any length can be accommodated.
The second disc contains music only, for good effect and can be used at any time of the day (including driving during rush hour) to continue to imprint the healing tones deep into the body, mind and spirit. This recording truly has healing power and is highly recommended for beginning and experienced meditators who enjoy guided instruction or are looking for well-crafted healing music. crimson-lane.net
–– Reviewed by Felicia M. Tomasko, RN
