VOTED AMONG 10 BEST NEW AGE RELEASES OF 2001 BY AMAZON.COM

A.M. Yoga Chants: Uses morning ragas beginning with the early hour of prayer known as brahma muhurtam, in India 4:30 A.M.  The dominant style of music featured on this album is Carnatic music.  Two phenomenal artists from Chennai, India, who on tour in the US and Canada, perform on this album.

The violin, which has been adapted to Carnatic music, is performed with intensely emotional nuances similar to Gypsy music. In many instances the performances ended up in multiple harmonies of fourths and fifths.  The two head drum known as the mirudangam and a tiny lizard skin drum (kanjeera)with a tone as mighty as a large gong was used for percussion.  

THE MANTRAS: Many of the chants featured on this album were written specifically for this project. Two powerful mantras, Om Mani Padme Hoom and Sharanam Ananda Satchidananda are arranged with rich choral and orchestral parts.  Two beautiful chants, Shiva Shambo and Govinda Govinda are recorded, the former in a rare morning raga and the latter with a Hindu reggae fee.  Hare Ram Hare Krishna is set to Afro-Hindu rhythms and finally the Guru Stotram is performed to facilitate deep relaxation.

AUDIO TRACKS: 60 Minutes

Track 1: Yoga Trance – Early morning raga featuring Shiva Shiva Shambo

Track 2: Sunrise – Thodi Raga featuring the Maha Mantra in a tribal rhythm.

Track 3: Jewel in the Lotus – Tibetan mantra “Om Mani Padme Hoom”

Track 4: Protection – The Mantra “Sharanam Ananda Satchidananda”

Track 5: Namaskar – Relaxation with the Guru Stotram, used in savasana.

Track 5: A.M. Dance – Lively Govinda chant. 

P.M. Yoga Chants:This album has a dominant western flavor using guitars, synthesizer, and pedal steel.  It's a sensitive attempt to cross over Hindu chant to popular listening arrangements without taking away from the spiritual depth and beauty of these ancient sounds.  Rich vocals and carefully crafter melodic and harmonic phrases makes this a soothing and mellow experience for unwinding after a long day.

A mesmerizing chant to Durga and Kali, a bluessgrass\reggae version of Govinda Jaya, and ballad like version of a Krishna bhajan, are the driving tracks on this album.  A specially created fire ceremony song titled Aarati  and a deeply moving Shree Ram make for deep relaxation and spiritual rest inducing experiences.  A fast paced Om Bhagavan entitled The Beloved with strong vocal improvisations livens up the mix.

Amazing pedal steel player Barry Sless of the David Nelson Band lends his powerful musicianship on this album.  I had a wonderful time working with him.  He is humble and extremely versatile.  The ragas chosen are all evening ragas. This album is a true complement to the morning album that emphasizes South Indian classical and folk music.   

AUDIO TRACKS: 60 Minutes

Track 1: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya – trance chant to Vishnu.

Track 2: Gopala Jaya Jaya – lively chant to Krishna as protector.

Track 3: Namah Durgaye Shree Pahi Maa – melodious chant to the goddess.

Track 4: Om Bhagavan – In praise to the Beloved.

Track 5: Aarati – Mellow devotional to the sacred flame.

Track 5: Yoga Lullaby – Shree Ram Jai Ram.