An eclectic mix of beats, layers, and chants.

The Guru Granth Sahib, the main text of the Sikh tradition, and resource guide for some more recent sub-paths, begins with the words Ek Ong Kar Sat Naam Karta Purkh (etc). This root (mula) mantra is featured in this slow-but-steady paced, and gently unfolding remix of a Snatam Kaur track by Cheb I Sabbah, entitled Mul Mantra. The meaning of these Gurmukhi words can be explained as, “The creator of all is One. Truth his name. Doing everything, fearless, without anger, undying, unborn, self-realized, and realized thru guru’s grace”. The track comes from the release Kundalini Remix, released on the Spirit Voyage label.

Next up are our good friends the Desert Dwellers remixing a track by Deva Premal for her second Devasonic release. The song is a reworking of the bhajan, or song, Jaya Radha Madhava, written by 19th century Vaishnava saint and poet, Bhaktivinoda Thakur. This Bengali song describes some of the features of the divine personality Krishna (Madhava), and his life in Vrindavan surrounded by family, friends, and his eternal lover, Goddess Radha.

Renowned Argentinian composer, teacher, and sound healer, Silvia Nakkach brings a stirring dedication to goddess Saraswati from the beautiful release Medicine Melodies, for which she collaborated with fellow composer and musician Christopher Eickmann. In this sanksrit verse, beginning with the words “Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey” some of the qualities of the Goddess of knowledge and art are revealed, such as her white lotus throne, and the beautiful way she plays the Veena, a stringed instrument still used today in Carnatic Indian classical performance.

Temple Step Project are back with Heart of the Whole, another track from their recent release entitled Embrace the One. The vocals are performed by Sufi musician Amir Paiss and are sung in the Hebrew language. In translation they explain a river of bliss flowing from the heart – an inconceivable spring giving life to everything, and a Source which is the home of the whole.

Dub legend Lee Scratch Perry is up next with the track Baby Krishna from his release Panic in Babylon. We hear the sanskrit words “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” amidst shouts of the fall of babylon, or the end of materialistic concepts. In true rasta-style, songs of the eternal sisterhood of spirit prevailing over all forces of darkness. This set is capped-off by an inspiring and uplifting remix of Glorious Sun – Ya Allah by Laya Project, this one alchemed by the multi-talented composer and dhyaani/yogi Ferenz Kallos.

The show ends with the illustrious, industrious, elephant-powered MC Yogi from his most recent release which is entitled Pilgrimage. This track is a remix of Give Love and it goes a little something like this .. “Open up your heart, unlock the cage, turn the key and break the chains, love will always find a way, if you want love you gotta give love away”.

=) <3

Alternate MP3 Link – Mantra Radio – March 21st 2013.mp3

An eclectic mix of beats, layers, and chants.

The first track of todays show is a recording originally done by Gurunam singh, and remixed by the Desert Dwellers. The song comes from the Spirit Voyage compilation entitled Kundalini Remix, and contains the mantra Dukh Par Har Sukh Ghar Le Jaae, literally translated as “Thus comes relief from pain, and peace comes to dwell within”. It is a mantra for transforming sorrow into joy, and is also an offering to Har, or the Divine One. Closely followed is the track Caravaan from the excellent release Divaneh, a collaboration between Bahramji and Mashti. The whole album is a beautiful blend of Persian, Indian and Western sounds, and deep soulful poetry, some of which is based on the writings of 13th century Sufi poet, Rumi.

The next set kicks off with a catchy remix of Ma, originally recorded by Snatam Kaur and Guru Ganesha Singh. The word Ma refers to the Divine Mother, and is a call out for her nurturing, her protection, and her unconditional love. The track comes from a collection of songs reworked by producer and dj, Krishan, from a release entitled Bhangra Remix. Next up is the prolific and talented Chances R Good with a rain song, dedicated to our Earth Mother and her waters. The track is entitled Yanawana and can be found on his release Earth Tones.

Sadhu Nada brings us four sanksrit verses from Bhagavad-gita, accompanied by some simple and hypnotic sounds. The track is entitled Heart of the Gita and features verses from the tenth chapter of this ancient Vedic text, along with English translation. We cap off this set with a chilled out reworking of David Newman’s Ancient Spirals Shiva. This version is co-produced by Krishna Venkatesh, and contains various chants to Mahadeva, or Shiva, including Om Namah Shivaya. The track is from a recent album of remixes entitled ReBliss.

We close the show with a slowly evolving Maha-Mantra piece featuring the beautiful voice of Ananda Shakir, main vocalist for the kirtan group Shyamananda Kirtan Mandali. This is entitled Love in Separation, a title which illustrates the longing between the bhakta, or devotee, and the divine Beloved, and in this case also the longing between Radha and Shyaam.

Alternate MP3 Link – Mantra Radio – March 14th 2013.mp3

An eclectic mix of beats, layers, and chants.

We begin todays show with a track by global fusion DJ, remixer and producer Cheb I Sabbah, a reworking of Deva Premal’s Hari Om Shiva Om. The mantra in this track addresses the Supreme in different facets and modes. Hari meaning the remover of obstacles on the spiritual path (also a name for Vishnu), and Shiva, meaning the auspicious one, or simply, auspicious.

Derek Beres and Duke Mushroom (aka Earthrise Sound System) deliver some more solid beats with the track Metaphysical Fitness, accompanied on the microphone by fellow NYC yogis Srikala and Luminahdi. We hear the chorus “Govindam Adi Purusham Tam Aham Bhajami”, a sanskrit mantra which expresses the sentiment of offering one’s love to the divine Beloved.

Starting off the second set, we hear another track from Prem Joshua’s Luminous Secrets album entitled Hele Mele. This contains the lesser-known chant “Om Hele Mele Gangey Maam Pavaya Swaha”, an offering to Mother Ganga, the sacred river Ganges in India. Following this, from the group of ladies calling themselves Mother Medicine, and from the release of the same name, comes several offerings to the Divine Mother. The track we hear is Om Mata, which contains different names of Durgadevi, or Kali, the female counterpart of Shiva.

Next we hear a segment of Buddhist chants interspersed with parts of an interview we did with Thai monk Phra Pichit Kuntichayo earlier in February, assisted by translator Sudapan. He talks about his life, Pali prayers, the practice and culture. We hear mantras that are used in daily Theravada Buddhist practice – Vandana (offering prayers), Tisarana (the three refuges), and Pancha-sila (the five precepts). The opening track to this set is called Lhasang, which is the name for a smoke offering and purification practice of burning juniper, traditional in Tibet.

Last but not least, Steve Gold gets Stoned on Shiva by connecting through Mahadevs’ well-known mantra, “Om Namo Shivaya”. This song can be found on his release entitled Let Your Heart be Known.

Alternate MP3 Link – Mantra Radio – Feb 21st 2013.mp3