WELCOME TO SUMMER, EVERYBODY!

For your listening pleasure in this steamy month of July, I am reviewing Shanti Shanti, Jeff Ball and Kinderparty.

Artist:   S H A N T I   S H A N T I
Album:  E a s t   M e e t s   S o u t h

Shanti Shanti is made up of Andrea, Sara and little brother Micah Forman. Micah plays bass with his very distinctive style. Their father, Robert Forman, is the producer and writer for Shanti Shanti. Their mother, Linda Forman, is the author of the nationally published book Dreaming in Real Time. She has a degree in Ayurvedic medicine and is one of the few practitioners to practice along side allopathic medical doctors. Linda has been a media spokesperson for many companies and is a script writer for various commercial enterprises. Robert and Linda have been married for 32 years.

I remember the first time I heard of Shanti Shanti, they were on the cover of Magical Blend magazine. I remember thinking "wow they must be good!" I later found them on MySpace.

The CD starts out with a song, or shall I say chant, called "Shanti Mantra" which is a prayer of peace. "Salutations to the World" is very soothing and beautiful! I loved the enchanting and hypnotic "Oh Viridissima". This is a Latin chant written in the 12th century; very haunting and compelling.

My favorite track on this disc is "Center of It All" which features great backing vocals and is an overall great song. There are 12 great songs/chants/soundscapes on this amazing disc. Even more amazing is they sing and chant in Sanskrit and they compose their own music and lyrics. Wow!

This CD would be great for meditations and or body work or just sitting back at home relaxing after a long day at work.

Give it a spin!

If you wish to listen to music samples, or purchase this music,
please click on the CD cover above.

Artist:   J E F F   B A L L
Album:  T h e   S h a p e   o f   L i g h t

Jeff Ball plays the Native American courting flute and the solemn beauty of it is inescapable. Jeff Ball, calling the Washington DC area his home, started out as a soloist, but through the writing and recording collaborations on his previous 3 albums, he has ended up with a band.

The current incarnation of the band has been in the making for some 10 years. The musicians have known each other through the very diverse local music scene in the Washington. All have released their own works separately in different genres. They have ended up together, feeling compelled to collaborate with a distinctive energy blending their musical styles into a near mystical sound.

In 2004 Jeff and the band were introduced to a new instrument called the Hang. The sound of the Hang and the Native American Flute blend together so well that it only seemed natural to record an entire album based around these two instruments.

On this recording Jeff and Ted are joined by several guest artists: Ron Kravitz on the Hang, Shruti Box and Chanting; Peter Phippen on the Bansuri; Dawn Avery on Cello; Ron Warren on Piano; John Natale on Guitar; and Randy Ball on Fretless Bass Guitar.

This album was formerly titled "Touching Quiet". This newer release contains a new version of "The Shape of Light" featuring the violin of Arvel Bird and also contains an additional ten minutes of new music.

10 tracks in all on this disc starting with "Finding Promise" and ending with "Drawing in Embers".

If you wish to listen to music samples, or purchase this music,
please click on the CD cover above.

Artist:   K I N D E R P A R T Y
Album:  K i n d e r p a r t y

Wow! When I listen to this disc I am taken to the land of electronic space agey New Wave. I have to say I like it. Kinderparty, an Indie artist from Canada, really has a creative flair with those magical keyboards - producing some very cosmic songs. I can hear some Erasure and Depeche Mode influence in his music.

Kinderparty was formed in 2001 by Dan Denker, the founding (and only) member of the band. Dan comes from a family of musicians but unlike his family, he had not intended to follow a musical path. Instead he went to art school to become a visual artist. During his fourth year of art school he wrote an essay on music technology and it triggered a change of direction - away from visual art and more towards sound. Dan was tired of what was being produced in music at the time so making his own seemed to be the best alternative. After three years of sound experimentation and a few other incarnations, Kinderparty was born. Fueled by a youth of listening to punk rock and electronic music, Dan takes the DIY (do it yourself) attitude of the punks and the sounds of electronic music to create Kinderparty's sound.

There are nine songs in all on this disc. If you like that electronic New Wave sound then why not give this disc a spin?

If you wish to listen to music samples, or purchase this music,
please click on the CD cover above.

© Tony Tolin, 2007

Attention New Age Artists,  I would like to mention an excellent marketing tool that you can take advantage of at MySpace.com - www.myspace.com. It is a great way to get your name out there and it's free. Groups and musicians such as Twinflame , Blackmore's Night, Paul Avgerinos, Chris Conway, and even Kitaro have taken full advantage of this opportunity. So consider trying out this free exposure and make some great friends and fans along the way. Namaste' - Tony

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony Tolin was born and raised in Denver, Colorado where he currently resides. He considers himself a spiritualist, lightworker and all around metaphysical type of guy. He loves music and gravitates toward progressive styles from New Wave to New Age. In general, he tends to be attracted to music that has a positive message or that plays to your soul in an uplifting, healing manner. Tony believes music has a unique power to transform one's self.

Tony has an artistic background and expresses himself through the use of many mediums. He enjoys exploring the manifestation of his inner visions through external forms while gaining inspiration from the mystical realm, animal kingdom, and cosmic energies. Tony believes in animal and human rights and feels we should all do what we can to help create a better Earth.

If you have a CD that you would like to submit for possible review in his column please contact him by email here: cosmict2000@yahoo.com . He welcomes you and your correspondence.