BEING Editor Beth Ann Hilton says "It's not like me to openly share my "spiritual path" -- not only because it's a rambling one -- but simply because I'm usually writing about other people's works, music, organizations, et cetera." But, she adds, "sometimes we are moved to testify. When I shared news of Ram Dass' passing with some friends, it was with great love and sadness, which brought me to a realization of just how much Ram Dass' messages -- his very BEING -- had gently enhanced my life throughout the years. My friends at Awareness Magazine asked me to share the story in tribute, and I was honored to do so." Enjoy one woman's journey in the time of Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle and the new Millenium. Simply click over to Awareness Magazine, and scroll to page 11...the issue is currently on newsstands across the Western U.S. and Hawaii.
Musician Elise Lebec has grown up
with travel in her blood. From New Zealand to Australia and England back to the
states, Lebec has soaked up inspiration from every corner of the globe. Her
latest release, ORIGIN, is a sonic
interpretation of her spiritual trip to Egypt, the first in a series of adventurous cross-cultural albums under the One World Turning Project umbrella of music, videos and merchandise.
The
cultural richness that is entrenched within the sounds of traditional Egyptian
music is something that can be felt within anyone. There is something so raw,
spiritual and passionate that spills out from the sounds of this most ancient
form of music. The opening track “Taaly
Maaya: Come With Me” focuses on Lebec’s smoothly sensual voice setting the
stage for what is sure to be a mystical experience. She guides the way into the
journey that later disperses into a musical medley of sorts. The following
“Queen of Light” begins with a frenzy of doumbek drums and various string
instruments driving a memorable melody, and Lebec's voice has a haunting, retro-cinema quality. “Cairo Morning” takes the concept of this album in a bit of a
different direction by fusing the old and the new. The iconic Egyptian instrumentals are coupled with a man rapping in Arabic while Elise harmonizes
softly in the background.
Moving
into the midsection of ORIGIN, the
song “Bolero” is a mesmerizing and mysterious love song that’s painted over
with a slight air of melancholy. It is a song from a lover longingly calling
out to her other half. “Rumi Song,” much like “Cairo Morning,” incorporates
some more modern musical influences. It throws in some electronic beats on top
of the traditional Upper Egyptian instrumentals and couples those sounds with a
woman passionately singing in conjunction with a man's hip
hop-influenced vocals.
Remarkably
different from the rest of the songs on her album, “Sekhmet: The Goddess
Awakens” is an empowering chant that is uses minimal instrumentation but rather
relies of layers of vocals and chants to convey a message of strength. Furthermore, “The Jam: Luxor, Egypt” is a belly
dancer’s delight that offers an infectious rhythm section that would be perfect
to dance along to. Continuing with the experimentation, “Sufi Dance”
incorporates some very obvious funk elements and offers a very strong message
about love, compassion and having an understanding for all walks of life. There
is an element of gospel in the female vocals in this track. As beautifully as
it began,ORIGINends in the same
light. “Hob Elahy: God is Within” sends the final message of Lebec’s spiritual
journey. We are all one and we are all empowered from within.
Whether
you are seeking a musical journey, a spiritual awakening, or just curious to
try something new, ORIGINprovides
all of the above. With Lebec’s beautiful voice, wonderful Egyptian music, and
powerful message, it is certain to bring meaning into your day.
ORIGIN releases July 21st, but is available now for pre-sale on iTunes, with one early download to enjoy, and on Amazon.
“Love and
compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
Without them, humanity cannot
survive.”
- Dalai Lama XIV,The
Art of Happiness
Peter Kater, with ten GRAMMY® nominations
and more than sixty albums to his name,is arguably one of the most
prolific and popular contemporary pianists on the planet today. He recently
releasedLove, his first solo piano album in more than ten years, a
collection of seven composed pieces and six improvisations that share the
common theme of love and its many wonders and emotions.
The album’s liner notes
border on poetic, as Peter explains the basis or inspiration of each piece,
giving a deeper and more personal insight into the music. He explores the many
facets of love, not just the more common musical themes of romance and
infatuation. He also encompasses hurt, loss and healing as well as the
love of self - a much more mature approach that translates beautifully into Peter’s
unique and distinctive musical language.
The new work has been called “eloquent and moving” and “one of his best albums
ever.”
“I have been playing the piano since I was 6 years old. There
are very few things that are more natural to me than making music. In playing
the piano I am able to express what is deep in my heart and soul, where words
fall short and seem colorless in comparison. I am fortunate to have a recording
studio in my home. Almost every time I sit at the piano to play, I press the
record button just in case something "special" comes through. These
improvisations and compositions were recorded over the last three years, in
"the heat" of the moment. These are musical portraits of my heart,
ripe with emotions, joy, complexities, excitement, pain and revelations of the
various manifestations and landscapes of LOVE.”
- Peter Kater, on LOVE
Originally born in Germany but raised in New Jersey, Peter is
seemingly comfortable everywhere. Recently relocated to Los Angeles from
Hawaii, the multi-platinum selling artist began working on another type of work
near and dear to his heart, composing the
soundtrack to “Heart of the World,” a much-anticipated, three-hour PBS program
focusing on the stunning National Parks of Colorado. This is gratifying work
for Peter, who among his many awards and honors, has received the Environment
Leadership Award from the United Nations, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from
the Zone Music Reporter.
To date, the tireless composer and producer has
scored over 100 television and film productions -- including music for the 2000
and 2004 world Olympic Games and eleven On- and Off-Broadway dramatic plays -- and
performed all over the world for his devoted fans as well as presidents, dignitaries
and spiritual leaders in fine venues including the United Nations and Carnegie
Hall. In 2015, he joined in creating aLong Life Prayerin honor His Holiness the
14th Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday.
This year, Kater is submitting
his LOVE recording to the GRAMMY Awards’ Best Contemporary Instrumental category. In a sense, he is returning to his roots, as
his early success was not in New Age music, but in Contemporary Jazz. His first solo piano album, Spirit, was
released in 1983. Following that, five
of Kater’s releases charted in the Top10 National Contemporary Airplay charts
including his National #2 album, GATEWAY.
Kater says, “Love
is a hybrid recording combining my classical roots and jazz improvisational
instincts. I’m excited that the new
Contemporary Instrumental category now exists at The Recording Academy, because I feel it’s the best
place for this new recording that truly crosses genres.”
This week, the beautiful award-winning documentary The Blue Jewel will premiere on Thursday Jan 10, 2013 at the Laemmle's MusicHall Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA, with other local screenings to follow. Preview it now, and learn more about the film and ticketing in the story below...
Below, enjoy a Note from the Producer, who will attend the Premiere for a Q&A, along with Pepper Lewis:
THE BLUE JEWEL – A documentary movie about Planetary Healers
by Oliver Hauck
We all live at a time of great change and transformation, be it regarding our global climate, our economical and financial thinking, break-ups in our sentimental relationships or in our daily work life.
Structures which have held so far seem to be crumbling, and we begin to question them. As a result, a lot has lost its balance.
The film „The Blue Jewel“ proposes new solutions to restore this balance. This equilibrium is so important to be able to live in peace, which is what each and every one of us wishes in the end. In peace with oneself, in peace within one’s relationship, with other people and, last but not least, in peace with our Earth, the planet we are sharing – simply because there is no second Earth, no third one, just this one we need to find a way to share
How might our world look if human beings were to realize that they are one with the Earth? We human beings are made of the same materials as a volcano or a raincloud, and the pulse of the Earth is one with the heartbeats of mankind. We must understand that we human beings are also conscious, intelligent beings with free will, who can take responsibility for ourselves and our planet at any moment.
Imagine if human beings were to discover this unique feature within themselves, and to understand how important each one of us is to create a peaceful and loving World together.
SPIRITUALITY Spirituality has many facets. Organized religion has taught humanity for aeons to remember and honor the Divine. Many non-traditional spiritual practices have evolved in the last century. Spirituality is not necessarily synonomous with religion. NAU is a website that respects the truth that is the essence of all traditional and non traditional spiritual practices. Visit: New Age Universe
But, she adds, "sometimes we are moved to testify. When I shared news of Ram Dass' passing with some friends, it was with great love and sadness, which brought me to a realization of just how much Ram Dass' messages -- his very BEING -- had gently enhanced my life throughout the years. My friends at Awareness Magazine asked me to share the story in tribute, and I was honored to do so." 
