MEDIA REVIEWS
Dub Mantra Sangha Remixby Joss Jaffe
Tataouine (BMI)Dub Mantra Sangha Remix is a follow-up
album created by California-based musician,
producer, and intercultural collaborator Joss
Jaffe. His latest collection features nine reimag-
ined tracks from his critically acclaimed release
Dub Mantra Sangha. In keeping with sangha,
which means community, Joss has assembled
a medley of musicians and DJs including Jai
Uttal, Donna De Lory, Dave Stringer, Suzanne
Sterling, Silvia Nakkach, Wah!, DJ Taz Rashid,
Robin Livingston, and Rara Avis.
“Collaboration creates art that is bigger than
any one artist and makes it more complex and
beautiful,” says Joss.
What I personally like most about this al-
bum is the mélange of subgenres of electronica
it showcases, including EDM, ambient house,
and dubstep. My favorite tracks include “Ga-
nesha,” which has a reggaeton soundscape that
keeps your feet moving and your spirit soaring.
“Amaterasu” is a downtempo musical odyssey
which elegantly weaves entrancing vocals and
slow sensuous grooves.
Joss does a superb job of introducing world
influences through integrating exotic instruments
such as kora (African harp) featured on “Durga,”
shakuhachi (Japanese flute) on “Amaterasu,”
and sarode (Indian lute) showcased on “Moola
Mantra.” This album is a blend of world
rhythms, contemporary sounds, and mantras—
our passport into deep grooves and sacred chants.
While Dub Mantra Sangha Remix is very
much a delivery of modern sounds, Joss himself
has roots in the classical Indian music tradi-
tion. He studied tabla, sarode, and vocal music
under respected musicians Ustad Ali Akbar
Khan and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. Joss has
translated these elements into the remix album,
with each track an appreciation of mantras
and an experience of mystic-grooves through
portals of pure sonic pleasure.By Natalie Macam, a Yoga Teacher who teaches
locally in Los Angeles: nataliemacam.com.THE Spirit of Christmas
Dan Blanchard
Peaceful Vibes
Multi-instrumentalist and Indian Classical
maestro Dan Blanchard has created a unique
musical mashup: An Indian Classical Christmas
Album!
If you’re curious as you read this description,
this album is absolutely for you.
Dan’s album The Spirit Of Christmas,
released for the holiday season, is an authentic
love letter from a world class Eastern music
composer to the most beautiful depths of the
Holiday Spirit.
Trained in the santoor by Indian classical mas-
ter Pandit Satish Vyas, Dan includes a high pedi-
gree of collaborators to embark with him on this
journey. These include: Sheela Bringi, Deepak
Ramapriyan, Leonice Shinneman, Dave Cipriani,
and others. They help make Dan’s vision come to
life and become nothing short of believable.
Even a skeptic, I feel, would be hard pressed
to not have the walls fall by the time Sheela
Bringi’s soaring bansuri flute solo lights up
“Silent Night.”
Christmas classics interpreted through Dan’s
Indian classical lens include: “Jingle Bells,”
“We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” and “Joy
To The World.”
My spirit soared when “Hark! The Herald
Angels Sing” came on and my interest peaked
during Dan’s unique rendition of “Ode To Joy
(Beethoven’s 9th Symphony).” The musicality
on display here is excellent.
Dan has created the ultimate Christmas
album for yogis. He does it with extraordinary
class and sincerity. I take my hat off to him for
his sense of adventure and for bringing fantas-
tic craft and a deep authenticity to his calling.
Join Dan and musicians at Bhakti Yoga
Shala on December 7.
Reviewed by Shiva Baum, former head of A&R
for Triloka Records, record producer and peak
performance coach for musical artists, writers, and
performers, and head of music programming and
mainstage emcee for Bhakti Fest and Shakti Fest.
The Courage to Riseby Liz Arch
Harper CollinsLiz Arch is an example of both determi-
nation and dedication. She shares her own
vulnerability and explores what it really means
to use lifestyle practices to find healing and to
thrive. Her book The Courage to Rise: Using
Movement, Mindfulness, and Healing Foods to
Triumph over Trauma is a meaningful practice
companion.
Arch says, “My experience with trauma
comes from feeling the grip of its dark claws
closing around my throat. It comes from hit-
ting rock bottom and climbing my way out...
For most of my life, it has fed my fear, fueled
my anger, sabotaged my relationships, shut me
down, and shut me up with shame.” Her will-
ingness to climb her way back out has given
her the gift of sharing tools and practices with
others, in a book that serves as advice from a
dear friend and sister on the path.
The Courage to Rise is organized into four
sections: Understanding Trauma, Releasing
Trauma from Our Body, using Mindfulness to
Rewire Our Brain for Resiliency, and Eat to
Heal. Arch combines current scientific research
with relatable stories and user-friendly solu-
tions. She asserts that Movement is Medicine
(chapter 6) and discusses modalities including
yoga and martial arts. In addition to clearly ex-
plained yoga postures and other exercises, Arch
offers easy-to-follow breathing techniques that
are helpful for releasing trauma. She discusses
cultivating a mindfulness practice specific to
rewiring the brain. Her thoughtful exploration
of food and nutrition includes identifying Food
Heroes and Zeros (chapter 14).
This approachable book is filled with Arch’s
journey, research, personal practice, and sug-
gestions for navigating one’s own triumph over
trauma. The Courage to Rise is a worthy guide.Reviewed by Felicia Tomasko, Editor-in-Chief of LA
YOGA and President of Bliss Network.