MEDIA REVIEWS
Wonderville/MUSIC
by Adam Bauer
Mantralogy
Adam Bauer has been doing this for a while.
For years, he’s been making sacred music in
one form or another, first touring as bass player
with the likes of Krishna Das and Shyamdas,
and then stepping out front on harmonium and
lead vocals. Wonderville is Bauer’s second solo
album after his, 2014 release, Shyam Lila, and
it has quickly made its way into heavy rotation
in my personal playlist.
Wonderville delivers a fresh collection of
songs that artfully combine traditional Indian
kirtan and warm Americana familiarity with
unique and varied instrumentation, infus-
ing some English lyrics with predominantly
Sanskrit mantra. The collection offers original
versions of chants to Ganesha, Shiva, and
Krishna. Bauer includes one cover of an all
English song, “Angel Wash (I Behold You),”
which has melted hearts world-wide since its
inclusion in his live set.
One of the most powerful components of
Wonderville is Bauer’s vocals. While his voice
is strong and deep, he expresses each line with
a sweetness that testifies to his pure devotion.
Bauer co-produced Wonderville with Em-
my-nominated producer, Ben Leinbach, whose
signature spacious complexity is evident. They
recorded in both India and in Leinbach’s
Northern California studio. It includes a stellar
line-up of musicians, including: Hans Christian
on cello, Chris Gartner on bass, Steve Gorn
on bansuri, Gawain Mathews on mandolin
and guitars, John McDowell on piano, organ,
djembe, and cajon, Anand Kumar Mishra
on sitar, Balram Mishra on tabla, Steve Oda
on sarod, Ankit Parikh on pakhawaj, Robert
Powell on pedal steel, and Vishvambhar Sheth
on cartals, whompers, and wavedrum djembe.
Reviewed by Zoë Kors, a writer, speaker, and coach:
zoekors.com.
Inclusion Revolution:
Together with Love/musicSister Jenna and JoRob
America MeditatingWhen a yogi and a hip-hop artist join
forces to counteract the world’s craziness,
wonderful things can happen....like the new
album Revolution: Together with Love.
Sister Jenna is the founder of the Meditation
Museum in Washington D.C. and host of the
popular radio show America Meditating. She
and hip-hop artist JoRob (Waldron) together
provide a soothing, soulful musical medita-
tion experience. They are joined by musicians
Kristin Hoffmann and Paul Luftenegger.
Revolution: Together with Love is acces-
sible for meditation newcomers. It provides
beautiful, downtempo musical arrangements
fused with hip-hop and soul. I like the way
this album is mixed: The voiceover and music
have equal presence. I find that while listening
my concentration tends to gently slide from
music to words and back to music again.
The music supports Sister Jenna’s warm,
gentle, and loving voice. Listening instantly
shifts your psyche to be more constructive
and positive. It is a gift to hear these wise
words before setting out into the world
among other confused, anxious humans.
“Feeling Safe” is an important meditation as
we see the negative effects of fear in the world.
“Feeling Safe” can be your antidote to the
24-hour news cycle. “The Remedy” is another
one of my favorites, both sonically and con-
ceptually. Sister Jenna helps us to tap into the
“sparkling energy of the soul that lives behind
the eyes.” I have a feeling if I met Sister Jenna
that’s exactly what I would see in her.
Revolution: Together with Love is a valu-
able addition to your toolkit for staying calm
and strong.Reviewed by McKenna Rowe, a DJ, yoga teacher, and
founder of Chakra 5 Yoga, which provides mobile
yoga classes on location and by appointment to stu-
dents throughout Los Angeles. http://www.chakra5.laTrust in the Heart/musicby Krishna Das
Krishna Das MusicRight in the thick of some of the dark-
est moments in today’s world, Krishna Das
releases his new and 15th album Trust in the
Heart. The timing couldn’t feel more perfect.
When I received it, I immediately listened to
the complete work. I unequivocally can say
this: For his fans, Trust in the Heart is classic
Krishna Das. Everything you’ve ever loved
about his voice, his use of melody, and his
music is there. On top of that are not one,
but two versions of the beloved chant the
Hanuman Chalisa! The rest of the tracks are
steeped deep in the heart of devotion.
Recorded at the legendary Avatar studios
in New York and produced by both KD and
recording industry luminary, collaborator,
and friend Jay Messina, the album fea-
tures some of KD’s most long-time musical
companions. These include Nina Rao, Arjun
Bruggeman, David Nichtern, Genevieve
Walker, and John McDowell and a particu-
larly special return of vocalist and KD’s own
daughter Janaki Kagel. Janaki appeared with
him in the chant “Mere Gurudev” (one of the
jewels of the Door of Faith album; here she
sings on the new song “River Of Mahaman-
tra.”
Trust in the Heart marks the first Krishna
Das album to feature an original chant com-
posed to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba (com-
monly called Maharaji), in the emotionally
stirring track “Namoh.” Over many decades
of his practice of chanting, Krishna Das has
introduced Maharaji to numerous generations
of spiritual seekers. This musical treasure
will surely find a special place in the hearts of
those souls. It certainly has in mine.Reviewed by Shiva Baum, a record producer and peak
performance coach for musical artists. He is also the
mainstage emcee and head of music programming for
Bhakti Fest.