Music Review

PROTECTION by Rigzin

The long-awaited album Protection by Rigzin came into being this November, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. Protection completes an artistic Sacred Trilogy of albums that consist of ancient Tibetan "protection prayers" set to Rigzin’s unique mélange of world-inspired music. With her primary life’s purpose being her dedication to her studies of Tibetan Buddhism, Rigzin never imagined herself becoming a musical artist. She had never considered incorporating her knowledge of Buddhist chants and prayers into any sort of creative endeavor until the unique plaintive beauty of her voice was heard as she prayed for a friend's dying mother. Later, she was introduced to the creative group “El Circo” and she   Her avant-garde approach to melding her practice with her art took the West Coast underground music scene by storm and led her on a path of performances at such events as Burning Man, Lightning in a Bottle, and Symbiosis.

Rigzin lives, prays and creates in a remote mountaintop retreat.

            

The introductory track to this album titled “Call to Awaken” is a very intimate moment with the artist. There is minimal instrumentation save for some drumming and atmospheric sounds that carry Rigzin’s femininely soft yet fierce voice through a traditional prayer. In an unexpected twist, “Red Lotus Dakini” fuses modern day electronic world music with samples of a man chanting. Produced by the influential DJ David Starfire, it is quite upbeat but still possesses a trance-like quality. The fusion of the modern and the ancient make for a very intense and unique experience.

It is hard to categorize a commercial genre for Rigzin’s art, but it is undeniably spiritual at its roots. After the surging burst of energy that came before it, “Prophecy” shifts the mood into something more sonically mellow yet equally as intense.  Her evenly toned chants are met with droning sounds that crescendo with the use of battle drums and a rise in volume and dynamics. Something to be noted about this album is its perfect balance in the way that it ebbs and flows.  Despite the seemingly ominous title, “Wrathful Guru” is a beautifully cascading track that displays an airier, breathier side to Rigzin’s vocals. It is a light and beautiful yet still dynamic piece speckled with tambourine, electronic piano and a variety of dreamy synthesizers. The title track “Protection” gets back into some earthier, somewhat guttural chants that send the listener into a meditative headspace. Carried by darker, deeper synth, the song is accentuated by sublime shifts in beats and various atmospheric sounds.

From Union, the first of Sacred Trilogy

Deeper into the album, both “Vajrasattva” (produced by Kalya Scintilla) and “Kilaya” utilize similar structures and textures. Less concerned with typical song structure, these two tracks focus more on creating a soundscape that the listener can get lost in. They are undeniably appealing and hypnotic, an experience from beginning to end. In a similar yet far less calculated manner, “Protectors of the Land” is ten minutes of discordance, perhaps cries of the land?  “Heart of the Lotus” allows her to experiment more within the art of noise. Her fearless approach to making this album is what gives it such heart. Finishing up, “Bodhicitta” mellows out the mood once again introducing a jazzier sound and allows Rigzin’s voice to shine once more. The piece swells with gratitude and love almost as if to thank the listener for going down this journey alongside her.

Rigzin Tromge (her civilian name) is an artist through and through. She is fearless, wise, curious and gifted. With her combination of old-world knowledge and modern-day sensibilities, she is able to reach a much wider audience than she ever expected and bestow her gift unto people who love her for who she is.  Surrounded and supported by fellow artists including the visionary Android Jones, whose visual art adorns the Sacred Trilogy. Collaborating producers include Surround, Maximillian Malone, David Starfire, Kraddy, Biolumigen, Kalya Scintilla, Kmin, Chris Sia, and Random Rab.

To listen and learn more about Rigzin, go to rigzinmusic.com where all links are available, including a connection to Bandcamp where she offers cool Tibetan merch and the full Sacred Trilogy of albums Union, Transition, and Protection, which are also streamable everywhere.   

- Samantha Garcia, BEING

Each of Rigzin's CDs has a prayer wheel spinning out positive energy as it turns.

FOR OUR CHILDREN: Digital Music Compilation Benefits Sandy Hook for $1+

Cover art by Jessica Waters.

In my life, I've found that music helps me in the space when the shock of a tragedy subsides but healing still feels a long way off.  When there are just no "right" words to say, it is MUSIC that often makes the silence more bearable.  

In the wake of Sandy Hook, I'm not ready for the anger-filled debates underway, I'm still in a place of mourning and introspection, remaining open to guidance and wisdom far beyond my own.  To me, it is still a time for prayers, for mourning kaddishes, for meditation, and sympathy.

However, it is inspiring to see some finding a way out of the sorrow with positive action. I found a wonderful compilation on Bandcamp today, and chose to contribute while also filling my world with healing sounds and thoughts. While surely there will be mainstream music tribute concerts for Sandy Hook in the near future, the quiet pensiveness of this album strikes me as striking the right note for now. 

For Our Children is a digital-only compilation from an organization called Sound for Good: Good Music for a Good Cause. Apparently, they create compilations for fundraising, attracting people with a very low minimum of $1, and then donating all the proceeds to the cause. In this case, they've teamed up with 30 artists from various genres and HEALING NEWTOWN (healingnewtown.org) a division of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. 

The collective message from the artists reads "Our message in the album is to shine your light. We have come together as artists to support the healing process of those impacted by the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy of December 14th, 2012. This album serves as sound healing comfort for children and adults throughout the world."

This is a soothing compilation, punctuated by spoken word and chant.  Ironically, I feel that those who would most benefit from this sound healing are those who've pushed aside the healing process and jumped into the angry fray over their own issues.  I do hope this music will find its way to them, and they'll save some precious time for the mourning and community building that is so necessary. 

Please read more and explore the generous artists at: Bandcamp's designated site for the album.