WORLD MUSIC - New Releases - Mantram Collection

Radha Botofasina brings this self-assured collection of meditative music to the forefront with the power of the harp's strings as they massage the mind and develop the soul. The music assures a mood that is unmatched in modern music, but with the ancient splendor of the harp. Botofasina plays with a skill that will touch the inner vibrations of the spirit, while calming and charming the listener into a state of relaxation that can only bring about inner peace. It defines what it means to play harp and shares this music with an everlasting context of peace, gratitude and harmony in abundance. It's a language of its own that Botofasina deftly creates with her harp, creating a nourishing journey through sound.

1) Ondar of Tuva –The melodic crescendos are influenced by wind instruments, bringing a motion to this song that climaxes in a flickering amalgam of high notes. The strings of Saila Reyes' violin mesh with the harp to produce a piqued state of grace. It's at once hypnotic and mesmerizing.

2) School of Dolphins* – A thoughtful music that vibrates with the rhythms of the innermost parts of the heart, mind and body. The strings punctuate a repetition of the harp that is sharp and melodic. The strings collide in a motion that recalls waves adrift in an afternoon sun as birds sing in the wind.

3) Only God* -- The purity of the strings single a pathway through the heavens in this ode to the Higher Power. The intricate maneuvering through scales signal a compassionate embrace with the other Self. It's a conversation with the heavens that yield to a warm, enveloping melody brought by nature.

4) Kindred Spirits* --- A steady gaze into the inner light of self is suggested in the repeated refrain, as the golden melody slowly unfolds with the backing of a gentle guitar.

5) Keshava's Lullabye --- The long strides of the strings equal a warm embrace that's gently flitted through time and space by the joyous squeal of a baby. It takes you back to the tabla rasa of an infant's mind and the insouciant spirit that is innocence. This is made all the more real by a child's laughter, the kind that heals all spiritual wounds.

6) Swamini's Spirit --- Recalling a teacher's everpresent hand on the elegance of the act of creation. A windswept ode that recalls the aura of the ancestors while speaking gently to the whims of the creator. The chord changes signal an opening of mind, body and spirit. Intricate and masterful, all through the influence of Alice Coltrane.

7) The Shiva Essence --- There's a cosmic togetherness that brings the listener to a state of heavenly bliss. This is a soundtrack that offers feelings of compassion and the act of breathing life into the universe.

Order ‘Ambient Harp Meditation' now at CDBaby.com

Radha: “The late Alice Coltrane, aka Turiyasangitananda, was one of the most enlightened people I have ever met in my life. My love for the harp was inspired by her. She set my musical journey in the right direction, liberating me from stereotypical modes of music. What joy it was to have kirtan with her playing the organ! It was a wonderful experience that transcends description.

“In this collection, Surya and I seek to share that joy and we offer our deference to Alice Coltrane’s original style of playing ageless bhajans.” Surya: “On the 12th of January, 2007, the Lord saw fit to deem His instrument, Swamini Turiyasangitananda, the distinction of a completed lifetime... That moment – forever in my heart and soul – provided the inspiration for this project. On the 12th of January exactly a year later, while visiting the sacred land of Prashanthi Nilayam in India, the chords and task were inspirationally given. I offer this collection of bhajans to the feet of Sai Baba and my dear Guru, Swamini.“

"Song of the Eternal Soul" Musicians: These musicians are some of the best in their genres. They hail from around the world: Aboriginal Australia, South India, Taiwan, and the U.S.A. Their love for music is evident from their playing. More

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This music project is very dear to my heart. It was began as an academic work and became a work of much wider scope. John Lehman, who has been a choir master for nearly three decades, plays the piano masterfully on each of the spiritual selections. There are thirteen in this first volume of “The Spirituals.”

These spirituals contain the esoteric lyrics and arrangements that are not commonly recorded. I am very blessed and fortunate to offer these timeless, African-American spiritual folksongs in honor of all my ancestors to the public.

I understand the importance of the African-American spirituals/folk songs to this society. The ancestors have tapped me on my shoulder and made me pay attention to the ancient truths that are discovered only through the spirit. What a great getting up in the morning it is for me!

The spirituals are played on piano by the great John Lehman, who has been the music director at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Angeles for over two decades. He is a master pianist. Charles Neville plays alto sax on ‘Swing Low,’ David Crawford plays flute on ‘Motherless Child,’ Surya Botofasina plays keyboard bass on ‘Swing Low’ and Leon Sylvers created a beautiful background vocal arrangement n 'Consideration.'

It is a joy to sing this music and share it with humanity. I pray that this Spiritual project resonates with everyone who listens to it.

Listen to a sample from The Spirtuals (MP3 • 5.7MB)

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Songs of the Urbane Ancestors
Roy Campbell, Jr. and Radha Botofasina

We decided to sing and play in the avant garde music tradition of our urban New York City upbringing. The songs mean a lot to us and were chosen because of the genius of the composers. New lyrics were written to match the mood of the music. The great Brian Auger and Herman Jackson played piano, John Belzaguy and John Clayton played upright bass, Ndugu Chancler and Ralph Penland are on drums, Jeff Clayton on alto sax, Roy Campbell Jr and Chris Albert are on trumpet, Karen Briggs is on violin and Jorge Carbonell is on percussion.

The songs were written by the Urbane Ancestors: 'SideWinder' by Lee Morgan, 'Naima' by John Coltrane, 'Night in Tunisia' by Dizzy Gillespie and 'Little Sunflower' by Freddie Hubbard.

They were formatted in RA technology by Alan Howarth for optimum fidelity.

Order ‘Songs of the Urbane Ancestors’ now at CDBaby.com

This is a 25-minute reading from Volume 1, Chapter 4 by Shyam Tony Reyes with music by Radha Botofasina and Surya Botofasina. Shyam brings a wonderful sincerity and warmth to the readings of these sacred transcriptions.

Shyam Tony Reyes has dedicated his life to helping humanity. A native of the Philippines, he has lived in California for the over 20 years. Over the last 17 years, he has lived in an ashram outside of Los Angeles. He has been preparing for this reading for many years and brings a wonderful baritone speaking voice to the powerful text offered in "A Course in Miracles."

He has sang and played guitar in Asia and the United States. He also writes songs honoring the Mother Earth and the light within all beings.

"A Course in Miracles" is joyful and positive and it aids in the relief of everyday stresses.

Newcomers to recording in the U.S.A. on this project are: Muthu and Nagraj Kumar on tablas and harmonium. Featured solo vocalists are Rashmi Charturvedi, Sharzad Sepanlou, Sandhya Sanjana,Shyam Reyes and Bahar. Saxophone brother players Oran Coltrane and Ravi Coltrane perform together on the song 'Narayana.' The very talented violinist, Lily Haydn lends her talent on 'Gracias Adios'; Surya Botofasina keyboardist and composer contributes his writing skills on 'Una Promesa' and his playing on 'The Seeds of War.'

The album also features Adolpho Pichardo, Roberto Froncesca, Lazaro Villa, Filiberto Sanchez and Angel Terry of the Buena Vista Social Club, plus the talents of Jorge Carbonell, a Cuban percussionist, and lyrical bassist John Belzaguy. The popular Cuban singer Rohitas' band members were included on three tracks: Juan Carlos on trumpet, Louis Palomino on trombone, Lima Rodriguez on tenor saxophone and keyboardist/music arranger Osvaldo Rodriquez. They are the brightest and the best of the contemporary Cuban music scene.

John Barnes of InnerSound Studio, turned in three tremendous tracks for the project: 'Life's Pathways', 'Life in God' and 'Oyaheya'.

"Mantra in its etymological description is 'man': mind, 'tra': think. Recitation of mantra affords one the great opportunity to edify and expand ones mental and spiritual awareness and potentiality. The repetition of the mantras make an indelible impression upon the brain, and they can create an aura of divine protection around one." – Swamini Turiyasangitananda

Mantram is a sacred sound vibration for God-Realization. Radha is a Lover of God. For years Radha Botofasina has been singing mantras in the form of traditional bhajans/spiritual songs. The Mantram album presents her new approach, where ancient original sanskrit mantras blend with the modern world of sounds and rhythms. Her exalted vocals are accompanied by Sai Ram Iyer of Mumbai, India and a chorus of vocalists from many spiritual paths and countries.

The heart is calling for Peace and Unity in the world and in our lives. It is something very dear to my heart. I am playing harp on almost every track and this is the only album that I am doing this. It is orchestrally situated on the track and not as a solo instrument.

Shaila Music, PO Box 7, Agoura Hills, CA 91376
Phone 818.961.4100, Fax 818.597.8744
radha@shailamusic.com