Susan von Seggern

Public Relations

2020 Has Been a Surprisingly Busy Year for Revered Spiritual Artist Jai Uttal, Continuing with New Single “Time and Again” Out Tomorrow

11/16/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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Fairfax, CA – Noted for his heartfelt renditions and upbeat barn burners of classic Kirtans (Sanskrit chants from ancient India), and his first instrumental album Gauri’s Lullaby, currently in consideration for a New Age Grammy, his notable summer single “Behind the Walls” inspired by his work with inmates at San Quentin, and the horrible novel coronavirus outbreak currently taking place there, as well as hosting a sold out online Kirtan camp last summer, Jai Uttal is excited to announce tomorrow’s release of his new single, “Time and Again.” The song is available in all audio formats here.

“Time and Again” is the first single release from Jai’s upcoming album, Songs of the Mystics, that will be coming out next year. “Time and Again” was composed by Jai and his wife Nubia Teixeira, based on a song of the 16th century Indian Bhakti poetess, Mirabai. Though scorned by the presiding culture of the time, Mirabai’s passionate and sensual devotion to her Lord, and her complete disregard for social mores, became a clarion call to the poor and marginalized masses. She was, indeed, a mystic revolutionary!

‘Songs of the Mystics’ will include re-imaginings of songs and poems by many of the Bhakti saints, but Jai thought it appropriate to start with Mirabai. Her message and mood are timeless and resonate even today in the hearts of all devotees. About recording this track in all the insanity that is 2020, Jai notes, “I decided to release this song now because it seems that at this moment in history, more than ever, we are being called upon to act as well as to pray, each in our own way, that spirit will come and lift the mountain of chaos and division and divisiveness and pain from the world so that we can all breathe and our hearts can freely love once again.”

As with everything, the COVID-19 crisis has affected Jai’s recording process, noting that for this single, “My entire recording process has changed during this pandemic. Here in Northern California we’re still mostly in quarantine. So, this recording used pieces from various sources. The lovely background voices by the Pagan Love Choir were from a live concert I did of this song in February, which was multitracked. The accordion was recorded two years ago over a guitar demo I had at the time of the song. The rest of it was produced in Ben Leinbach‘s little studio that is now divided by huge plexiglass walls. Awkward, but we got the job done. I couldn’t let the pandemic squash creativity. Creativity is medicine!”

Besides COVID-19, the intense fires of Northern California and the social and political strife has also affected everything Jai’s life and he notes, “2020 has, indeed, been a year full of challenges, but it has also been a year of deep healing, personal growth and more intimate family interaction. It’s also been a time of deep connecting with my extended family and greater Bhakti community. I’ve been doing weekly live stream concerts and Kirtans, that have been a great point of focus for myself in terms of preparing and creating new songs and practicing my older songs, as well as bringing our extended Bhakti family and community together over Zoom. The pandemic has also pushed us to create online Kirtan Camps. These events have been greatly appreciated, and have enabled people from all over the world, who would never have been able to attend a Kirtan Camp in person, to join us The Online Camps have also helped me organize my own thoughts, experiences and music into a much more potent and accessible way of teaching. We’re in the middle of our second camp now.”

The Hindi verse, of “Time and Again,” ‘Meera Kahe Prabhu Giridhara Nagara, Hey Govinda Hey Gopala’, calls out: ‘Oh Lord of Mira, Govinda, Gopala, lifter of the mountain.’ One might paraphrase this as: ‘Oh my Beloved, please lift this insurmountable mountain of suffering and separation, that I may be yours forever!’

Jai adds, “I hope we all can taste a droplet of Mirabai’s intense, oceanic devotion.”

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Filed Under: Meditation, Music, Yoga

Kirtan Leader Adam Bauer to Release Third Album Return to the Sacred and New Single “Baba (Neem Karoli Guru Bhai)” Tomorrow

10/13/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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North Leverett, Massachusetts – October 1, 2020 – Noted Bhakta, bassist, and Kirtan leader Adam Bauer’s third album Return to the Sacred will be released tomorrow, Friday October 2. Return to the Sacred (on Spotify here starting tomorrow) is an inspired collection of all-original music born during extraordinary times. For a preview of the full album, please go to https://soundcloud.com/adambauer-1/sets/return-to-the-sacred/s-MqyqEu33xll.

At the end of co-leading a pilgrimage in India in early 2020, Adam landed at Depot Records in Delhi to create the core of these tracks on the cusp of the global pandemic. During lockdown in the US, the album was crafted with highly respected world music producer Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal, Deva Premal).

The India sessions were brought together and anchored by Mohan Shyam Sharma (Ravi Shankar, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, All India Radio), one of world’s most revered players of the pakhawaj, a traditional temple drum. The Indian recording artists are an all-star team of talented musicians including Rajeev Janardan on Surbahar, Kailash Sharma on Bansuri, and Hricha Rashmi and Deepa Mishra on vocals.

The tracks were exquisitely embellished in the US, on the first single/emphasis track “Healing Song” (released September 11) by Grammy-nominated classical cellist Joel Cohen, and Ali Akbar College of Music ED Steve Oda on sarod, and on the rest of the tracks by cellist Noah Hoffeld (Phillip Glass, Natalie Merchant, Krishna Das) and lifelong Bhakta and Kirtan multi-instrumentalist Visvambhar (Vish) Sheth (The Mayapuris) playing Indian drums and percussion. Leinbach brought his trademark deft production touch, and mixed and mastered Return to the Sacred at Old Bull Studios in Marin County, California.

Return to the Sacred is dedicated to the memory of Adam’s father, Edward Bauer, and his friend and inspiration Ram Dass, who both left their bodies in 2019.

Each song on Return to the Sacred has its own story. The album’s midpoint, and second single, also out tomorrow October 2, is “Baba (Neem Karoli Guru Bhai)” a tribute to Adam’s guru Neem Karoli Baba, and noted bringer of Baba’s teachings to the west, Adam’s friend and teacher, Ram Dass. Adam explains, “this song dropped in on me in the hour after I heard that Ram Dass had left his body around last year’s winter solstice. I heard the news at 3 AM, got up and did my ablutions and prayed for him, feeling deep gratitude for who Ram Dass has been in my life, and the lives of so many. This melody and mantra spontaneously arose in those predawn moments, and I added some of the classic messages that Ram Dass brought us directly from Maharaj-ji. Love everyone, serve everyone, feed everyone and remember God!”

The album opens with “Vaidyagrama Hare Rama,” one of the three songs on this album with English lyrics along with a traditional Sanskrit mantra. Adam wrote this song in South India while on a panchakarma retreat at a healing center called Vaidyagrama—hence the title. He notes, “The simple yet evocative message has deeply moved audiences since the week I wrote it.”

On the second track, “Shri Ram Jai Hanuman,” Adam notes, “this melody first came to me in a dream, and it kept reappearing during waking hours over a couple of years, so much so that for a while I thought it must be some other person’s melody that I had heard and kept remembering! It was insistent, and I found it mesmerizing, and so I’m happy to release it here for the first time. Jai Hanuman!”

The album’s penultimate track, “Arunachala Shiva” highlights Adam’s deep connection with bass sounds both vocally and instrumentally. About the song he recalls, “it came to me earlier this year, on my first barefoot walk on the sacred mountain Arunachala, considered to be the form of Lord Shiva, above the ashram of the beloved Hindu nondual saint Ramana Maharshi. I sang it as it appeared in me during my entire walk down the mountain, until I could sit down and translate it to my harmonium. I have bittersweet associations with this mountain, as the only other time I had laid physical eyes on it was right after I heard that my beloved friend Shyamdas left his body back in 2013. It felt like I’d come full circle to finally get there with time to truly be with the mountain, and I’m grateful that it gave me this song on our first real meeting.”

The album closer, and first single, “Healing Song” was also inspired by Vaidyagrama which means a healing village, and this song of healing came to Adam at the Ayurvedic center in Tamil Nadu, South India. He says, “the English verses and melody bubbled up from within as I was lying horizontal one day during a treatment, and I sang it to myself as part of my own internal healing process, then and ever since. I hope it has the same effect on all who hear it.”

His critically-acclaimed first solo record, Shyam Lila, debuted on Mantralogy Records in 2014. His sophomore album Wonderville was released in 2017 and generated more interest in his work. Adam’s music is available on major services like iTunes and Spotify, or directly from https://iamadambauer.com/

Adam was blessed to spend many years playing bass in support of sacred chant superstar Krishna Das, and later with Bhakti Yoga legend Shyamdas, both of whom nourished his love of sacred sound and the yoga of devotion. For the past decade, Adam has been on the road offering his own perspectives, teachings, and kirtan across the Americas, Europe and India, and even Antarctica. A lifelong student of the devotional life, Adam enjoys gathering with others and comparing notes on the path wherever the opportunity arises.

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Cassandra Kubinski’s “Stardust” Receives the Remix Treatment from Noted Yoga Music Star DJ Taz Rashid

09/11/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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Saratoga Springs, New York – Noted singer/songwriter and yogi Cassandra Kubinski’s latest single “Stardust” has been given the remix treatment by one of the yoga world’s most acclaimed producers, DJ Taz Rashid. Set for release tomorrow, August 21, 2020, the track is available for pre-saving here, and a private industry listening preview is here: https://soundcloud.com/cassandra-kubinski/sets/stardust-and-remix/s-TEzs9LIBrrg.

This remix of “Stardust” in collaboration with popular yoga DJ Taz Rashid, who has performed at Wanderlust, Bhakti Fest, the Yoga Journal Conference, Sound/Off Yoga, Kripalu, and programs Spotify’s Official (and wildly popular) Yoga Playlist of the Month, is sure to find fans among yogis, electronic music lovers, and pop connoisseurs.

Cassandra is deeply enmeshed in the yoga world as well and is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher, certified by Sonic Yoga in NYC. She taught and led kirtans at Harlem Yoga for three years, playing harmonium, djembe, and leading group chants.
A music video for the remix featuring submitted clips from yogis nationwide flowing to the song is currently in production and will celebrate the yoga community coming together despite the COVID distancing measures still in place.

“Stardust” was produced by Chris Sclafani who has produced or engineered hit tracks from Ed Sheeran, Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez, Gwen Stefani, and more. Stardust’s sparkling opening piano riffs build into a pop/rock powered statement of our collective connectedness and reminder of our personal power, with Kubinski’s vocals ranging from intimate breathy inquiries to the soaring pop/theatre vocals she is known for.

Since her debut as professional singer portraying the titular character in a 20th Anniversary Equity production of Annie, Kubinski has sung alongside countless artists in clubs, and on tour through the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia; recorded with Chris Botti, the Goo Goo Dolls, Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs, Dickie Betts, Jill Sobule and more. Her recent release the EP, “Dreams,” featured singles and music videos “You Get Me,” which helped raise over $25,000 for animal rescue charities like the Humane Society of NY, Howl of a Dog, Helping Lost Pets and more. Kubinski’s previous EPs, “Holiday Magic” and “Onward,” charted at #46 and #97 respectively on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Her music has been licensed on broadcast network TV shows, including 13 placements on the hit show “Dance Moms,” which led to millions of views on user-uploaded videos of her songs on Youtube. She was also the bandleader for two seasons of Emmy-winning new media talk show “The Never Settle Show with Mario Armstrong.”

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Noted Spiritual Artist Ananta Govinda Releases Mirror of Desire Album, Accompanying Book out in October

09/11/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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San Francisco, California – Noted San Francisco and Marin County-based spiritual musician Ananta Govinda is releasing his fourth album Mirror of Desire via Spotify and all platforms tomorrow August 28, 2020. The album is part of a multimedia juggernaut that will see an accompanying book, set for release on Amazon in October, and an immersive show in a 360-degree projection dome, where he is forging new creative styles for combining music and visual storytelling into a groundbreaking presentation (once live events return).

Responding to the current times led to his new project, an epic album and fantasy novel, Mirror of Desire. “I truly believe that rediscovering our common heritage will help us overcome the tendency to divide and see each other on opposite sides.” Ananta has put that into the allegorical storyline of the Mirror of Desire trilogy, where White and Black wizards are competing for access to the mysterious land of the Pyramid, accessed through the Gates of Time. Ananta adds, “I wanted to show that those two colors are the range of the spectrum and they could not exist without each other.”

The opening track and also the theme for this conceptual album “Mirror of Desire” is about facing your own personal reflection and deepening the understanding of the inner workings of your personality. It’s about having the courage to face and accept with love and gratitude the better version of yourself. The track starts with harmonized Sanskrit chants by Ananta Govinda and ambient guitar textures by Alex Liapin (Sir Paul McCartney, DDT, Aquarium) and then leads into an epic production, featuring Will Calhoun (of Living Color) on drums and percussion, Scott Page (Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Toto) on sax, and others. This track is a creative collaboration with noted producer Sylvia Massy (Tool, Johnny Cash, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Ananta Govinda. The track was mastered by Nicolas Essig (Coldplay, Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, Daft Punk) at the East-West Studios, Los Angeles.

The next track describes the workings of the “Self-Writing Book,” a magical device that knows past, present, and future and enables the written word into reality. In the story of the Mirror of Desire, one must pass the test of detachment in the chamber of the Book and not adjust your destiny line, letting karma do its work. Featuring reggae hitmakers Indubious, adding the ragga style chants, and Will Calhoun on drums and percussion, it was recorded and mixed by Sylvia Massy who also contributed with arrangements on this track, calling it her favorite from the album. The track was mastered by Nicolas Essig.

The first single is the third track, “Golden Goddess,” a song about the Divine Feminine energy, embodied in the personality of Goddess Radharani, who is an eternal counterpart of Lord Krishna. This track is a thoughtful request to the Queen of Vrindavan to be seen and protected, just as we see the workings of the Goddess in our daily lives. In the world of overpowering masculine energy, this is a needed call to the Divine Mother for nourishment and protection. It features many world music stars, such as Will Calhoun on drums and percussion, Alan Tower on the hung, and John Wubbenhurst on bansuri flute. Jared May (Tina Malia, Simrit) is really present and glues the track well together with the 5 string bass arrangements. This track was mixed in Sweden, at the legendary Grammofonstudion by Thomas Juth (A-ha, Elton John, Cat Stevens) and mastered by Nicolas Essig.

Next up is “Mazes of the Mind” about the quest of conquering illusions of one’s imagination and finding a balanced perception of reality. Finding his identity in the present will help the pilgrim to overcome distractions of the Mind and stay on the path to the Mirror of Desire. This track is a collaboration with Grammy Winner Lili Haydn, who shared her talent on violin and vocals. Ronnie Ray played the flute and did Tibetan style throat singing, helping create stacks of harmonies based on the theory of natural harmonics. Ananta Govinda played guitar – the track started with that first guitar chord, being trapped into a delay with a repetitive pattern. This track was mixed by Thomas Juth and mastered by Nicolas Essig.

The album shifts into an Indian ambient vibe in its second half with “Into the Timelessness” a musical journey of a pilgrim who passes through the Gates of Time and steps into a new reality, not affected by Time. This track features the current generation Indian Classical star, Ayaan Ali Khan on sarod, and starts with opera singer Paulette Penzvalto invoking us on the journey by pronouncing “Vikredi”, which in the language of the BluArth means “The Word,” as to enter into the Gate you need the power of The Word to stop the Mills of Time. Sound pitch fork activation was performed by Alan Tower, with the specially adjusted tuning based on the theory of harmonic frequencies. The score for the strings was written by Grammy Winner Nahuel Bronzini (Fantastic Negrito), and recorded by Ananta and Nahuel at the Airship Laboratories in Berkley. This track is currently being mixed for a sound healing experience in a 360 surround sound format (Atmos). The overall track was recorded by Sylvia Massy at Studio Divine, in Ashland, Oregon, who also helped with arrangements. It was mixed by Grammy-nominated Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal) and mastered by Nicolas Essig.

“River of Time” is a collaboration with Pierre Edel, the Voice of France, and the Voice of Russia (both 2014), who added lots of vocal texture and improvisation to the song. Alex Liapin, the legendary Russian rocker, who lives in California and collaborated with Ananta on previous projects, helped create multilayered guitar textures. The track shines even more with the presence of Scott Page who added another voice with his saxophone, almost singing in response to the jazzy vocals of Ananta Govinda. This song is about the mystical River of Time, that divides the worlds and brings the current of time. Likened to the material atoms, these fractals of time shape the reality to the eye of the observer, but often fill it with illusory meanings.

The penultimate track “Room of Darshan” is a short ambient track with no drums or percussion, that blends textured guitars by Alex Liapin, ethereal saxophone by Scott Page and the performance of a string orchestra arranged and recorded by Grammy Winner Nahuel Bronzini. The track concludes with the chant by Ananta Govinda, leading us right into the concluding track. The track was recorded by Sylvia Massy, mixed by Ben Leinbach, and mastered by Nicolas Essig. The word Darshan in Sanskrit means ‘being able to see truly, through the inner eye of wisdom’, which also means to be seen from above.

Mirror of Desire closes with the “Mantra of ParaDesha,” an epic version of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, performed by Ananta Govinda in a 3-part epic musical journey. This is another take on the well-known 16 syllable chant made popular in the West by Allen Ginsberg, George Harrison, and Swami Bhaktivedanta. The introductory chant is performed by Indian Classical singer Gopal Krishna Balaram and is an invocation from Bhagavata Purana, explaining the power of pronouncing the Holy Name. The song features Will Calhoun on drums and percussion, Scott Page on ethereal saxophone, and string arrangements, and recording by Nahuel Bronzini. It was mixed by Ben Leinbach, and mastered by Nicolas Essig.

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Adam Bauer Releases First Single “Healing Song” off Upcoming Album Return to the Sacred

09/11/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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North Leverett, Massachusetts – Noted Kirtan artist Adam Bauer will release the first single, “Healing Song,” on all formats including Spotify, from his upcoming third album, Return to the Sacred (out October 2) tomorrow.

The seven-minute track (short in the Kirtan world!) “Healing Song” is a beautiful paean to the healing process that Adam has undergone in the last year as his father, Edward Bauer, and beloved teacher (and Maharaj-ji guru brother) Ram Dass, both left their bodies in late 2019. “Healing Song,” with lyrics in English and Sanskrit, unfolds as a prayer of affirmation, a timeless reminder of the reality of truth, consciousness and bliss even during challenging times.

Return to the Sacred is an inspired collection of all-original music born during extraordinary times. At the end of co-leading a pilgrimage in India, Adam landed at Depot Records in Delhi to create the core of these tracks on the cusp of the global pandemic. During lockdown in the US, the album was crafted with highly respected world music producer Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal, Deva Premal).

The India recordings were brought together and anchored by Mohan Shyam Sharma (Ravi Shankar, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, All India Radio), one of world’s most revered players of the pakhawaj, a traditional temple drum. The Indian recording artists are an all-star team of talented musicians including Rajeev Janardan on Surbahar, Kailash Sharma on Bansuri, and Hricha Rashmi and Deepa Mishra on vocals.

The tracks were exquisitely embellished in the US, on “Healing Song” by Grammy nominated classical cellist Joel Cohen, and Ali Akbar College of Music ED Steve Oda on sarod, and on the rest of the tracks by cellist Noah Hoffeld (Phillip Glass, Natalie Merchant, Krishna Das) and lifelong Bhakta and kirtan multi-instrumentalist Visvambhar (Vish) Sheth (The Mayapuris) playing Indian drums and percussion. Leinbach brought his trademark deft production touch, and mixed and mastered Return to the Sacred at Old Bull Studios in San Anselmo, California.

In this new album of all-original compositions, Bauer honors the traditional lineage while integrating heartfelt English lyrics, presenting this rich and timely offering as a prayer for humanity’s Return to the Sacred.

His critically-acclaimed first solo record, Shyam Lila, debuted on Mantralogy Records in 2014. His sophomore album Wonderville was released in 2017 and generated more interest in his work. Adam’s music is available on major services like iTunes and Spotify, or directly from https://iamadambauer.com/

Adam was blessed to spend many years playing bass in support of sacred chant superstar Krishna Das, and later with Bhakti Yoga legend Shyamdas, both of whom nourished his love of sacred sound and the yoga of devotion. For the past decade, Adam has been on the road offering his own perspectives, teachings, and kirtan across the Americas, Europe and India, and even Antarctica. A lifelong student of the devotional life, Adam enjoys gathering with others and comparing notes on the path wherever the opportunity arises.

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Revered Spiritual Artist Jai Uttal Announces New Single Inspired by his Work at San Quentin and the Coronavirus Outbreak there, “Behind the Walls”

08/11/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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Fairfax, CA – Noted for his heartfelt renditions and upbeat barn burners of classic Kirtans (Sanskrit chants from ancient India), and recently his instrumental album Gauri’s Lullaby, as well as hosting a sold out online Kirtan camp, Jai Uttal is excited to announce today’s release of his new single, “Behind the Walls”. The track was inspired by his years of working with the inmates at California’s legendary penitentiary, San Quentin, and the horrible novel coronavirus outbreak currently taking place there. The song is available in all audio formats here, and on YouTube here.

While Jai first performed in prisons in the early 70s when touring with his good friend, noted spiritual leader Ram Dass, it wasn’t until more recently that he began performing at San Quentin. Working with the interfaith program, ‘Chaplain of the Heart’, Jai and a small group of musicians led semi-regular Kirtan programs in the San Quentin Chapel. These concerts began in 2011 and the response from the incarcerated men was incredibly enthusiastic. Because of the connections and friendships he made in the prison, Jai felt particularly disturbed about the disaster happening ‘Behind The Walls’.

For this release Jai is connecting with the group Re:Store Justice, and asking listeners to donate to their advocacy programs. Of Re:Store Justice he notes “they do incredible work with the prisoners while they’re inside the system as well as when they’re released. The folks who run it are completely committed to reforming the prison system from the inside out. In fact, one of the founders has been incarcerated and really knows what is needed in there. Please check them out and, if you feel so moved, please make a donation. Everyone is important, every human being deserves medical attention and care in times of deep crisis.”

The film Mantra: Sounds Into Silence featured one of Jai’s kirtan concerts in the prison. Jai notes, “the director also interviewed a bunch of the guys and it’s amazing to hear how completely transformative the Kirtan experience was for them. I also found out that on death row my CDs are the most requested by the residents of that deeply depressing wing of San Quentin Prison. I am so glad that my music can offer some solace to them.”

Jai has written an extensive artist statement about the single, he says:

“I first started singing in penitentiaries around 1973, when I was touring with Ram Dass. We would go into the prisons and I would sing and share a Kirtan as part of his presentation to the inmates. I found those experiences intense and profound. But it wasn’t until decades later that I began to go semi-regularly into San Quentin prison to sing for the inmates and share with them the practice of Kirtan, as part of an interfaith program that had been in place for some time.

Standing outside of San Quentin can be quite intimidating, with its many huge gates and high walls, but, once inside, in the sanctuary of their small chapel, with a room full of enthusiastic men, that trepidation completely disappears. Of course, it took me a while to find my way to be authentic and real with the men; to not see them as ‘other’. But once that happened, I found a community of brothers there who were so incredibly committed to their spiritual practices and to finding inner freedom within the confines of their incarceration. Their dedication and deep spiritual longing was completely inspiring to me.

So, I went again and again with a small group of musicians and, after a while, I saw that these men, who at first seemed so hard, we’re melting and smiling and singing and expressing so much emotion. In fact, many of the men got off of their seats and danced like wild Bengali Bauls. After one of the kirtans, a man came up to me and said “This is the REAL San Quentin! This is what you have to tell everyone. Nobody believes this. THIS is the REAL San Quentin. We are all brothers here.” With tears in his eyes, he referred to the prison as “The House of Healing”.

So, when I heard about the intense Covid surge inside the prison and how little the authorities we’re doing about it, I was affected very deeply, and personally concerned with the plight of some of my friends there. It’s amazing to me that what’s happening behind those walls is going unnoticed by most of the residents of Northern California. In fact, the devastation that’s occurring because of the virus in so many penitentiaries has just been a footnote in the national news. San Quentin was pretty much infection free until an incomprehensible decision by the prison board transported a bus load of men from a prison in Chino, California, to San Quentin, in Marin County, California. Many of the transportees carried the virus, some already showing severe symptoms. With almost no medical facilities or possibilities for quarantine, the virus spread like a wildfire and began to decimate the San Quentin population. This is still happening.

So I decided to write and record this song, ‘Behind The Walls’ and release it as soon as possible so people could know what’s happening in their backyard. (San Quentin is about a ten-minute drive from our home!). Thank you so much for listening to my song and reading my words. Much love, Jai”

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Filed Under: Meditation, Music

Jai Uttal to Release His First Ever All Instrumental Ambient Guitar Album Gauri’s Lullaby May 8

06/08/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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Fairfax, CA – Grammy nominee, Jai Uttal, is proud to release his 21st, and first all instrumental, album Gauri’s Lullaby, on all platforms, this Friday, May 8. There is also a teaser video available here.

Following his highly acclaimed double album, Roots Rock Rama! Jai’s latest release comes as a direct response to the current global crisis. What a time everyone is going through! Anxiety and fear flow like waves of a malevolent ocean; the great deluge seems nigh. The album is a sonic medicine to calm hearts, relax minds and bodies, and help find ease during this intense period of ‘time-out.’ Consisting of four long acoustic guitar meditations, inspired by Jai’s many years of study with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the work creates a healing energy for homes, families, and hearts.

It’s time to take a deep breath, exhale, and remember our divine connection, as well as the human bond we all share. With everyone being urged, with what seems to be good reason, to keep at a physical distance, this has been challenging on so many levels. During times like these, it becomes very easy to contract and withdraw. However, now, more than ever, this is the time to STAY CLOSE!

The four songs on Gauri’s Lullaby: Music for Healing and Other Joys were created over a period of about seven years as birthday presents for Jai’s beloved wife, Nubia Teixeira, a noted yogi and author, to use in her home yoga practice as well as in her many classes.

There was never an intention to turn them into a ‘public’ album release. Although Nubia hears Jai play and sing all the time at home, these were her ‘exclusive’ Jai Uttal tracks to use for teaching and just for relaxing. So many students asked her, “What is that music? Where can we get it?” and Nubia would smile and say the songs were just for her!

Well, welcome Corona, a time when global anxiety is in the red zone. Even the calmest people are nervous, and those with higher stress levels during ‘normal’ times are shaking and trembling!

About three weeks ago, Nubia said, “It’s time to share Gauri’s Lullaby! The world needs these healing sounds.” Jai was, at first, surprised, and a bit resistant, feeling that this is so different from all of his other album releases. The four songs are instrumental guitar meditations and his music is generally upbeat Kirtans, the traditional call and response singing style that originated in India, but has since taken over the yoga scene worldwide. However, after thinking about it for a little while, he agreed with her, deciding, “this isn’t a moment to be concerned with ‘branding’ or ‘image’. Rather, it’s a time to share love and stay close in our hearts while we stay ‘sheltered’ in our homes.”

Gauri is a Sanskrit word that means ‘shining and brilliant’, and it is one of the names of the eternal beloved of Lord Shiva, the Lord of Transformation and Protection. It’s also the name that Jai and Nubia’s Indian spiritual mother, Sri Siddhi Ma, (a Neem Karoli Baba devotee since the 1940s!) gave to Nubia about ten years ago. Nubia only uses this name in her most private internal conversations/meditations with Ma. And so, these songs are dedicated Jai’s beloved Nubia, who is always connected to Spirit, and always sharing that connection with others.

Jai notes, “I’m a very lucky guy! I hope these healing sounds can bring solace and ease to all.”

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DJ Taz Rashid Offers Free Music for Streaming Yogis During Covid-19 Shelter in Place

05/06/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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Chicago, IL – DJ Taz Rashid, one of America’s top yoga DJs, and the programmer for Spotify’s Official Yoga Playlist of the Month, is pleased to announce an offering to the yoga community and the vast number of teachers who have moved online due to Covid-19 shelter in place orders that are keeping the majority of Americans homebound, free music to use for their Zoom, Skype, IG Story, and Facebook Live online classes.

If yogis are using streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple music, etc. to play music during their classes, they can use ANY of DJ Taz Rashid’s music in their yoga classes in their FREE to the public live streaming yoga or meditation classes. Teachers can just play the music in the background of the class. Taz encourages them to share their playlists with their students as well.

All of DJ Taz Rashid’s music on Spotify is at https://open.spotify.com/artist/2XvQyfssNbXYWcOkKaWYlx?si=6ZDuH81JSzGVjbzZhO2v5Q and on Apple Music at https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dj-taz-rashid/996269726. If yogis prefer to create their own playlists from downloads, Taz’s top songs can be downloaded from https://mybestplaylist.lpages.co/dj-taz-rashid-a-gift-of-music-free-music-ig-videos/.

In addition to offering free music, DJ Taz will share classes to his socials when teachers share on their social media and give credit. If teachers share on Instagram or Facebook and tag him under @djtazrashid, he will repost to his over 40k followers. He requests teachers add in the video description “Music used with permission by original artist DJ Taz Rashid” and to be sure to tag him at @djtazrashid. This will ensure that the social media networks will not mute the music or take the class down.

Taz notes, “this is such a challenging time for the entire yoga community between studios on hiatus, and festivals cancelling. I’ve had six cancellations and fully expect 10-20 more so I really relate to what my teaching brothers and sisters are dealing with. We hope this helps at least a little during this crazy time.” Like so many yogis he’s moved his own work online and his schedule is at https://www.djtazrashid.com/copy-of-tour-2020.

If teachers are offering yoga and meditation class videos on paid platforms, or on-demand classes for sale, Taz is offering discounted rates for sync rights for these classes as well. Teachers interested in using his music for paid classes should email taz@djtazrashid.com to discuss.

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Filed Under: Meditation, Music, Yoga

Retreat Celebrating Love, Connection, and The Divine Feminine Energy Taking Place in Desert Hot Springs, May 14-18, 2020

03/13/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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Desert Hot Springs, CA – Shakti Fest, the annual yoga and spiritual music festival celebrating the divine feminine energy of the universe will take place in a more intimate “Immersion” format this year. The retreat will take place May 14-18th at Miracle Springs Resort and Spa, 10625 Palm Dr, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240.

Shakti Immersion is a 3 to 5-day conscious yoga and music retreat, condensing everything attendees have come to love from the festival into an intimate and immersive celebration. The event will be a gathering of like minds and hearts, uniting in consciousness. As always Shakti will feature a wide variety of yoga classes, spiritual workshops, and music, now in a gorgeous resort spa setting, and even closer to the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles!

With this potent design, Shakti Immersion will feature popular yoga teachers from Shakti Fest – Shiva Rea, Saul David Raye, Govind Das and Radha, Hemalayaa, Johanna Beekman, Mas Vidal, Dharma Shakti, Sita Devi, and desert favorite Kristin Olson.

A more intimate setting for spiritual music will benefit both players and listeners with artists including Krishna Das, Amritakripa, DTO Music, Kirtaniyas, Krishna’s Kirtan, Larisa Stowe & Shakti Tribe, Michael Hathaway, and Rob and Melissa.

Similarly, in this year of perfect vision, the workshops bring spirituality into focus with Michael Brian Baker, Dawn Cartwright, Zoe Kors, Dr. Manoj Chalam, Dharma Devi, Josie Keys, Mirabai Devi, Greg Friedman, and Syamarani. Additionally, pre- and post- intensives with Michael Brian Baker, Saul David Raye, and Dawn Cartwright will take place on May 14 and 18.

Nestled in the foothills of Desert Hot Springs, the resort overlooks beautiful Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Beneath clear blue skies, one can calm the mind, enjoy spectacular landscapes, soak everyday cares away in eight natural hot mineral pools and add on spa treatments to complement this amazing weekend. Discovered centuries ago by the Cahuilla Indians, these springs are known worldwide for their amazing therapeutic benefits. Just miles away from the Joshua Tree National Park, and 12 miles away from Palm Springs International Airport, the 4 star rated Miracle Springs Resort & Spa rooms are fully equipped with free wi-fi, flatscreen TVs, outdoor space, microwaves, and refrigerators. In addition to the regular resort amenities, Shakti Immersion will also feature a curated selection of 30 of Shakti’s most popular clothing, craft, yoga gear, jewelry, and wellness vendors for attendees’ shopping pleasure.

As always, Shakti is an amazing event for families celebrating the divine feminine energy of their own mothers, sisters, and daughters, and people of all ages coming together to connect on a truly divine level.

As festival producer Bella Silberfein notes, “We are so excited to announce this gathering of like-minds and family. A weekend of pure love, ecstatic joy, meditation, sacred music, and all of the offerings we have come to love from our festivals, condensed into its richest form. Namaste.”

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Filed Under: Events, Fashion, Meditation, Music, Yoga

Lena Belle Reminds That YOU are Buddha with Valentine’s Day Single and Video Release “Rainbow” That Gives Nod to her Pansexual Nature

03/13/2020 by Susan von Seggern

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San Diego, CA – San Diego based alt-pop songstress and producer Lena Belle is not holding back with an enticing music video for her Valentine’s Day single release “Rainbow.” To Belle, the video directed by septuagenarian surrealist feminist multimedia artist Penny Slinger, depicts freedom of the human spirit, the Hopi prophecy of the rainbow, queer acceptance and pride, and the coming together of humanity. The video is covered with rainbow lights, heart-warming messages, and imagery of Buddha.

The song itself, set for release on Valentine’s Day, on all platforms (some links will only come online with tomorrow’s release) is an homage to the Native American prophecy of the rainbow, that states:
“When the Earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people will come unto the Earth from many colors, classes, and creeds and who by their actions and deeds shall make the Earth green again. They will be known as the ‘Warriors of the Rainbow’”.

Lena notes, “As I was writing this song, I was getting images of the prophecy of the rainbow, the prophesized Rainbow warriors rising up, planting the seeds for a bright future for humanity and the Earth. And I started seeing little Buddhas in everyone.” She adds, “I believe Buddha is just the enlightened nature in everyone. Buddha is not a specific man but that supreme consciousness we all have within ourselves. I don’t believe we have to wait for anyone to save us. We are our own saviors. I don’t need to be healed. I just need to allow myself to remember who I am.”

The song also prominently features the classic Sanskrit prayer, Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu which translates as “May all beings be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom for all.”

Songstress of the light, Lena Belle sings from a deep love in her soul and shares that love with the world. Her lyrics connect our hearts to nature and the wisdom of our innermost selves. Her joyful mix of crystal clear, soaring vocals, inventive beats, and healing sounds is a breath of fresh air for the listener.

An alt-pop singer, Lena Belle weaves tapestries of love with her conscious, heart-centered music. Her music takes you on a journey of woven soundscapes, layered vocals, healing sounds, and inventive beats. The lyrics call you into something beautiful deep within yourself.

After studying classical music at the Eastman School of Music, Lena Belle returned to her home town of San Diego and decided to devote herself fully to her original music. She started building an organic fanbase by performing at local venues, bars, restaurants, hotels, and more. She then decided to jump into the fray, moving to New York City. There she performed all over Manhattan and Brooklyn at original music shows, jam sessions, poetry events, showcases, gardens, healing events, and elsewhere. She also became known for her stunning renditions of Edith Piaf songs performed with charming musicality in her fluent French.

Beginning in 2015 with her self-penned, co-produced EP “My Own Way”, she has been carving her own path in the music industry. Then after the release of her single, “Nature Knows” in 2019, her listener base grew, and she now has thousands listening to her music in 78 countries across the globe.

She is currently completing her first full length album with her co-producers Tazdeen Rashid (who is well known as one of the world’s top yoga DJs, DJ Taz Rashid), transformational festival favorite Patrick Kiebzak (Momentology), and noted NYC producer and keys player Kurt Thum (Usher, Nick Jonas, Kelsea Ballerini). This album, Nature Knows, will be released in early summer and is full of musical gems.

As an introduction into the world of Lena Belle, she is offering “5 Days of Lena Belle Songs,” which includes one free song download each day for 5 days, including insider behind the scenes info and explanations of the meaning behind each song. To receive this beautiful offering, text LENABELLE to 44222 or click here: https://lenabellemusic.lpages.co/lenabellesongs/
In addition to recording and performing her original music, Lena Belle travels around the world offering voice activation workshops, and sound healing.

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Filed Under: Music

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