Planned for worldwide release at the completion of her fall tour, Simrit’s new When We Return expands on the mastery displayed on her first CD a decade ago. The level of craftsmanship in the conception, recording, and production is stunning. Simrit’s vocals are deeply enveloping, even otherworldly, and rise above her dazzling instrumental support here in a way they cannot in her live shows. You will surely love riding the waves of her amazing voice here, flying free throughout.

Because her band has been touring the globe together seemingly nonstop for almost four years, it’s a well-oiled force that knows how to both lead and respond at every turn. Cellist Shannon Lee Hayden often plays live on a vintage cello from the early 1800s and creates sonic effects around it with a pedalboard. Salif Bamakora plays the West African kora, a gourd whose 21 strings made from fishing line generate a sound somewhere between a harp, guitar, and piano. Multi-talented jazz bassist Jared May plays electric bass, standup bass, and Moog synthesizer, while drummer Devon Ashley plays both a kit and hand drums.

Simrit’s vast array of musical influences tells the fascinating story of her life. It begins in Athens, where a young singer from a prominent musical family had to give up her newborn daughter. That child was adopted by a
Greek American couple who took Simrit, born Stavroula (aka Stefani), as a toddler to South Carolina. Her upbringing in the Greek community there laid a dynamic foundation for later musical endeavors, as she grew up learning traditional Greek dances and the Greek language and singing and chanting in the Greek Orthodox church choir, mesmerized by the chants and hymns.

Some artists can hear the resonances that bridge continents and souls. Simrit is one. She brings a true commitment to age-old meditations, urging everyone from pop stars to theater audiences to fall in love with the words of ancient sages. Some have called her epic and cinematic, grounded in groove yet with a transcendently mystical vibe. Grammy-nominated Indian devotional singer Snatam Kaur says, “For Simrit, singing is not a performance, it is sacred worship of the Divine.” Visit When We Return for a rewarding journey into inner worlds and outer possibilities that hold and nurture us all.

www.simrit.com

—L. B.

I like nothing more than hearing a new artist I’ve never encountered before. And this artist, Sam Garrett, takes the cake! His music is seriously joyful, deep and uplifting—every song, phrase, nuance, and note, bar none. Sam Garrett is an extraordinary songwriter on his way to the pinnacle. His voice floats and penetrates, graceful and inviting, a voice of our times that recalls Paul Simon, Miten, and surely Bob Marley. He hits the high notes and all the “oohs,” and his guitar playing is top-notch throughout.

There is an eternally pleasing quality to this album, inciting inspiration, tenderness, expansion, soulful possibilities, and the desire to play it endlessly on repeat. Sam’s lyrics are wholehearted, never trite, with a universality born of superb production, impeccable musicianship, and a flowing magic carpet with room for all.

The Dance and the Wonder is a beautiful listening experience. Sam brings a magical energy to these 14 amazing, thoroughly complete and original songs, including a couple of chant interpretations that lift the listener high
to the sky. His profound music has brought everyone with whom I’ve shared The Dance and the Wonder into a deep sense of belonging and
unity.

With his soulful voice, laid-back hippie charm, and skillful guitar playing, his melody-driven songs spread love and light to all. Be prepared to fall all the way in love with Sam Garrett. His earlier EPs and singles also measure up, but The Dance and the Wonder puts it all together. I have not been drawn this fully into someone’s music in a long, long time. Find Sam’s music on all platforms; contact me directly for CDs of The Dance and the Wonder.

facebook.com/samgarrettmusic

—LLOYD BARDE ([email protected])

Since when were summer blockbusters intimate heart openers overflowing with activist statements and juicy love songs? On her ninth full release, India.Arie pulls out all the stops, ranging between her potent calls to action like “What If” — pointing out that our forebears faced their own sizable obstacles and each generation should do the same — and love-honoring songs of pure romantic poetry.

Despite her unit sales, Grammy Awards, and indelible impact on neo-era soul, India. Arie Simpson still seemed compelled to water down her musical messages—up until now. When asked by Oprah Winfrey to pinpoint the moment that “unworthiness” became a mantra in her music, India unpacked her inhibitions, owned her instincts, and created the overdue and aptly named Worthy.

Steeped in her signature blend of folk, neosoul, and traditional R&B, India.Arie aligns her new collaborators (Chuck Butler, Joel Cross) with prior ones (Brandon Burch, Shannon Sanders) and shares catchy, well-crafted odes to humanity, Black Girl Magic, good love, and the turbulent times underneath it all. Fans of India’s delicate phrasing and throaty alto will find nothing amiss, from the whimsical “Follow the Sun” to the gentle yet resolute self-esteem mantra of the title track. Ms. Arie has even learned the art of not taking herself so seriously, adding pinches of relatable salt and sarcasm to “Shoulda Would Coulda.” Those who have seen her live in concert or tuned into You Tube’s many videos have the extra bonus of feeling her depth with a 3-D sense of connection.

No matter the topic—from today’s harrowing news trends (“Rollercoaster”) to meditative healing turns of melody (the lilting, Bob Marley-inspired “Prayer to Humanity”) and yes, even tributes to head-turning, toe-curling fantasy-men-turned-reality (“In Good Trouble,” “That Magic” and “Steady Love”)—Ms. Simpson has little left to prove. Refresh your soul and renew your relationships—to life, to love, to your own tender realities. SoulBird.com

—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)

Echoes of a Dream finds Marin-based New Age music pioneer Steven Halpern at his artistic peak. Uplifting melodies, ambient atmospheres, and exquisitely detailed production are sure to please old and new fans alike. The extraordinary vocals of Kristin Hoffmann are featured on the title track, adding new dimension to the blues-inspired chord progression. Grammy winner David Darling’s cello soars over a deeply resonant arrangement featuring Steven’s celestial Rhodes electric piano. Other tracks feature duduk, bamboo flute, and fretless bass (by Michael Manring).

Every track creates a ‘’natural high’’ as a portal to relaxation, mindfulness, and inner peace. Music tuned to a harmonic of the earth’s Schumann resonance (approximately 8 Hz) may amplify its healing potential. This album is tuned to A=432 Hz rather than the standard concert pitch of A=440 Hz.

Steven Halpern is the original new age artist, in the most accurate sense of the term. In 1975 he released Spectrum Suite, his first album of music specifically designed for relaxation and healing. Before that he had been immersed in the New York City jazz scene as a trumpeter and guitarist. Noting the adverse effects of life in the fast lane, he moved to California, where he perfected his idea of “anti-frantic alternative” music. Based partly on his metaphysical beliefs and partly on solid scientific research into the effects of sound on the human body, he came to the conclusion that the Western foundation of tension and release in music couldn’t by nature provide listeners with relief from stress.

He decided the answer was to create music that “didn’t go anywhere” in the traditional sense, but instead immersed the listener in a soothing atmosphere conducive to recuperative and transcendental experiences. As a result, he created music centered largely around cascades of major-key arpeggios improvised at the electric piano, adding generous helpings of reverb to create a spacey, other-worldly feeling. He took inspiration from Asian classical music and looked into the ceremonial, magical, and healing aspects of sound used by ancient cultures. He has released more than 50 instrumental and guided-meditation recordings, and has also written two books, Tuning the Human Instrument and Sound Health.

“Steven Halpern’s music has uplifted a generation of seekers. He has created a soundtrack for our evolutionary journey.” —Marianne Williamson.

StevenHalpernMusic.com

—L. B.

Zahira’s songs are harmonic pictures, creating a colorful soundtrack for life. Rise Up (2014) showcases Zahira’s diverse vocals and collaborations with Yami Bolo, Sky Juice (Black Uhuru), Val Douglas (Skatalites), Vince DiLorenzo (Usher, Patti Labelle), Soljie (Gentleman, Soja, Black Uhuru), Sol Rising, Rocker-T, Celso Alberti (Steve Winwood), and other talented musicians and producers. Rise Up features Zahira’s special blend of reggae, soul, and pop backed by world-class musicians, with positive lyrics infused with a playful and uplifting sound.

Zahira is a renaissance woman whose pure, powerful, and resonant voice has received rave reviews from fans and critics worldwide. Zahira can be seen performing in her solo liveelectronic project and with her live band Rising Buffalo Tribe, or as a guest vocalist with Indubious, who also featured Zahira on their track “Root Down” on their album From Zero.

With a style and tone described as a blend of Lauryn Hill, Madonna, and Erykah Badu, this inspirational songstress has created other tracks since Rise Up including “Ascension,” an anthem for revolution beyond genre, “Stand Strong,” a soulful reggae single, and a new roots reggae single with pop appeal, “Mystic One,” featuring Rising Buffalo Tribe.

Born and raised in Canada, Zahira embraced music at a young age and became a gospel choir soprano. When her family moved to the US, she focused on refining her natural talents and realized she was bound for a career in the arts. She studied jazz vocals and performance, and has trained in North Indian classical vocals, sound healing, performance, dance, and West African drumming. Aside from her native English, she writes and performs songs in Hebrew, Sanskrit, Arabic, Spanish, French, Michif (the language of her ancestors the Métis people of the US and Canada, descendants of First Nations women and European fur traders) and indigenous languages to share her message with the world, promoting healing and empowerment in response to assaults on human and environmental rights.

Zahira will be one of the headliners at the upcoming G-Fest: Goddess Rising 2019 in Mt. Shasta Aug. 2-5. Zahiramusic.com

—LLOYD BARDE ([email protected])

Lilac Skies is the fourth release from guitarist, composer, and producer Shambhu. This instrumental album features Shambhu’s relaxing guitar magic on 10 new songs in a dazzling album with jazz, blues, and New Age roots. Each of Shambu’s albums is truly a gem, a magically grounded journey, and a doorway to deeper feelings and inspiration. Not only is Lilac Skies no exception, it’s another pinnacle of composition that traverses brilliance and vision coming fully into form, acoustic six-string bliss.

Lilac Skies means Infinite Love: lilac the color of love; sky the infinite and endless possibility. Shambhu (pronounced SHOHM-boo) transforms stillness and silence into calming sounds. He’s an acclaimed jazz guitarist and composer who has been called “a consummate guitarist.” Shambhu is at once precise, skilled, sensitive, and inventive way beyond the norm.

A who’s who of talented musicians joined Shambhu (guitars, e-keyboards, e-bass) for this live studio recording: Frank Martin (keyboards), Celso Alberti (drums), Kai Eckhardt (bass), Premik Russell Tubbs (flute, EWI and lap steel guitar), and Kristin Hoffmann (voice). Shambhu recorded two additional acoustic guitar songs at Magic Cottage Studios (Sebastopol, CA) with Todd Boston, who also mixed the album.

In recent years, Shambhu has been featured on Whitney Houston’s Whitney, Jeff Oster’s Next, Ricochet – The Echoes Living Room Concerts (Vol. 20), and two Will Ackerman compilations, The Gathering II and The Gathering I (ZMR Award for “Best Album of the Year”). Shambhu also played or recorded with Carlos Santana, Paul McCandless, Eugene Friesen, Tony Levin, Jeff Haynes, Ravichandra Kulur, George Brooks, Premik Russell Tubbs, Grammywinning producer/drummer Narada Michael Walden, and E Street saxophonist Clarence Clemons, among others. shambhumusic.com

—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)

Jens Jarvie is a passionate musician who brings his craft to life through kirtan (devotional calland-response chanting of Sanskrit mantras) and conscious music. Jens didn’t exactly come on the scene out of nowhere, having honed his craft for many years. But suddenly he’s one of the go-to kirtan leaders, and his live shows bear fruit with a strong dose of devotional glory and ecstatic energy transfusions. His chanting and original lyrics will inspire you to take flight in the vastness of the heart, while his songs invoke healing and transformation, inviting you on a journey of depth and transcendence.

His second major CD release and third overall, Be the Ones offers lengthy tracks with music that’s all about celebration, embodiment, and remembrance. Through positive affirmations, healing mantras, engaging melodies, and driving rhythms carried by the musical influences of folk, world, rock, and reggae, Jens Jarvie and The Heart Wide Open offer a spirit of strength and upliftment that invites you to soar into gratitude for this life we are living.

Jens’s accompanying musicians include the ever-present Ben Leinbach (producer plus!), Jesse Klein (keyboard), Greg Barnett (bass, classical guitar), Joss Jaffe (tablas), Gawain Mathews (lead guitar), Maesyn (violin), and Sally Cinnamon (backing vocals). As dynamic and groundbreaking as Jens’s previous Path of Prayers was, Be the Ones is next-level engaging and inspiring. Six tracks, all between 9 and 12 minutes in length, mostly begin with English phrases and lyrics, soon morphing into highenergy chants that immerse the listener in the “Heart Wide Open” that Jens purveys.

Be the Ones is a contemplative energetic journey of devotion, empowerment, inspiration, and love. It is a call to consciousness within the unified field to wake up and an invitation to rise and Be the Ones. Jens will be an integral part of this summer’s RELAXPANSION FEST June 21-22 in Ashland, Oregon—make this your special “Festination” (relaxpansionfest.
com). jensjarvieandtheheartwideopen.com

—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)

This duo from Nevada City seems to have appeared out of nowhere and landed center stage, but they’ve paid their dues! Playing “live” from Santa Cruz to Southern Oregon, they combine heart-and soul-filled vocals with virtuosic guitar work to create brilliantly colored original musical portraits. Their songs, combining diverse elements of folk, jazz, blues, and world music, are delivered with their unique brand of energy and sensitivity, leaving audiences smiling and spellbound. “This love story has a soundtrack” — as Lindsay Bellows and Ananda Vaughan have found the perfect complements in each other: Lindsay is a soulful songbird who soars and dives over the lush textures of Ananda’s musical landscapes.

If you haven’t yet seen or heard BrightSide Blue, it’s time. Their spring tour leaves a trail through this region, ending at The RelaxPansion Fest in Ashland June 21-22. Their presence and artistry are the real deal.

The couple’s ambitious first release, Between Worlds, takes listeners around the globe and thru inner and outer spaces, featuring guest artists Ayla Nereo, Jacob Aginsky, Beau Askew, Ras Dennis, Shannon Hayden, Gordon Hellegers, Rob Holland, Jason O’Keefe, Justin Purtill, and Lydia Violet. The songs have created their own compass, and whisk us away with them through Northern California forest fires, over piles of earthquake rubble in Mexico City, to surf the cresting waves of a roaring ocean and rest in the secret canopy of a willow tree… a beach in Jamaica, a neighborhood courtyard in Grenada, Spain, anti-war demonstrations in the streets of Detroit, a royal court in Mali…

Ananda trained for many years as a jazz guitarist, and has found inspiration in other guitar masters from rock, folk, and world music. Lindsay grew up with pop and R&B music, and studied the influencers of her childhood idols — the soul and blues singers of the mid-20th century. The pair brings together the best of all these genres to create a sound that is authentically and uniquely their own. www.brightsideblue.com

—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)

Extra! Extra! Master trumpet and flugelhorn player Jeff Oster injects world and jazz influences on his latest release, Reach! Known throughout the Bay Area and across the land as a leader and highly sought-after sideman, Jeff may be leaving the pure New Age realm but the results are totally worth it. Plus, all the music on Reach was done live in the studio, with not one prewritten note!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Jeff Oster album without healthy doses of jazz, chill, blues, and even some nods to classic ‘70s gritty action film soundtracks. Joining Oster is a stellar crew of guest stars, including Grammy winner Ruslan Sirota, given co-composer credits as well as being the album’s producer. From the opening frame drum rhythms of “Onward” to the funky attitude of “Le Caveau” (the ‘70s soundtrack-like track) or the Asian-fusion delights of “Five Great Mountains” or the uptempo jazziness of “Troppo y Boffo,” Oster leads his talented crew to heights of tunefulness and musicianship, with one great lick after another throughout all of Reach.

Jeff Oster’s previous Next, with Niles Rodgers and the killer rhythm section of Bernard “Pretty” Purdie and Chuck Rainey on board, was a 2016 Best of the Year contender. With Reach and its jazz and funk elements, Jeff is in great form while reaching new heights with the folks accompanying him.

Reach has nine tracks in total and is a further step toward jazz idioms and motifs, with its great mixture of sound and textures that invites you in at the outset and never leaves that “musical comfort zone.” Other world-jazz flavor instruments on this recording, besides Oster’s otherworldly horns, of course, are the Erhu and Indian flutes and Latin percussion and bass, which pulsate and drive while Jeff glides through, icing many cakes. Every track is solid and consistent, combining instruments and musical styles, and the artistry of each contributing musician makes this album one of the best in the genre this year. Oster is in a groove that keeps him at the top of his game and at the forefront of the music industry. JeffOster.com

—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)

If you are expecting the standard Christmas CD with the same 10-12 songs everybody else does in the exact same way, this CD isn’t for you. If you are looking for a new interpretation of a few standards with a bluesy bent and some newer or more obscure Christmas songs, this is the perfect CD! Music legend Eric Clapton has been able to make many holiday classics and hidden holiday gems fun to listen to again.

Clapton is releasing his first-ever Christmas album as his forthcoming 24th studio album, Happy Xmas. With his signature sound and arrangements, this album embodies that warm holiday feeling and transforms these songs into inviting lyrics and guitar riffs. From bluesy classics to traditional Clapton rock, Happy Xmas has everything you could want to listen to while decorating the house and cutting loose and enjoying family time—plus great production, stellar lead vocals, and amazing guitar licks by a master artist.

If you want a timeless holiday reality check done well, here it is! The old chestnuts—“White Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” “Home for the Holidays,” “Silent Night”—are mixed together with new and lesser known songs, with a danceable “Jingle Bells” to rock the clubs, the searing blues of “Merry Christmas Baby,” “Lonesome Christmas” done Blues Breakers style, “Sentimental Moments” in a jazzy vein, and “Christmas Tears” down and dirty. Add to that a downright tender version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and it’s 14 tracks that run the gamut of inspired holiday interpretations. Nobody plays guitar like Eric Clapton! Happy Holidays, y’all! EricClapton.com

—L. B.