ILLUMINATION

Michael H. Cohen’s newest album Illumination, released in 2016, blends ancient Eastern mantras and modern Western grooves, masculine and feminine energies and the individual (I) with the collective (We) to create an extraordinary inner experience. As you chant along with the many voices on these tracks, you are invited to relax, listen to others and allow their voices to pull the energy of these potent mantras through your heart. This process creates a profound inner illumination. As your experience ripples outward, it can illuminate others and transform the world – creating a portal to the Satya Yuga (Age of Truth).

TRACKS

1.  Shiva Groove
2. Hanuman Bolo
3. Jay Jay Ma
4. Maha Lakshmi
5. Hare Om Shivaya (4/4 version)
6. Om Shanti Om

All music composed by Michael H. Cohen © 2006-16 Shiva Datta Music, LLC (BMI). © 2016, Shiva Datta Music, LLC. All rights reserved. “Om Shanti Om” contains a sample of ‘Mere Guru Dev’ by Jeff Kagel, published by Mustamullah Music (BMI). @ 2003. Used by permission of Licensor. All Rights Reserved.

MUSICIANS

Michael H. Cohen – lead vocals, harmonium (all)

Ben Leinbach – drum and percussion programming, keyboards, electric guitar, choir vocals (all)

Jeff Ciampa – drum and percussion programming, keyboards (3, 4, 5)

Joni Allen – lead vocals (2, 5)

Johanna Beekman – choir vocals (2, 3, 5, 6)

Cameron Cohen – vocals (2)

Lakshmi Devi Dasi – choir and ad lib vocals (1)

Jim Feist – tablas (2)

Rob Fordyce – electric bass (1, 2)

Samantha Keller – choir vocals (1, 4)

Gawain Matthews – electric guitar (1-5)

Suzanne Sterling – choir and ad lib vocals (3, 6)

Allie Stringer – featured vocals (4), lead vocals (2, 5)

Cameron Cohen – vocals (2)

ABOUT ILLUMINATION

Illumination blends ancient Eastern mantras and modern Western grooves, masculine and feminine energies and the individual (I) with the collective (We) to create an extraordinary inner experience. As you chant along with the many voices on these tracks, you are invited to relax, listen to others and allow their voices to pull the energy of these potent mantras through your heart. This process creates a profound inner illumination. As your experience ripples outward, it can illuminate others and transform the world – creating a portal to the Satya Yuga (Age of Truth).

PRODUCTION

Produced by Ben Leinbach at Old Bull Studios in San Anselmo, CA and Jeff Ciampa at Studio Orange in Columbus, OH. Mastered by Hans Christian at Studio 330 in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Illumination features virtuoso guitarist Gawain Matthews, and exquisite vocalists Joni Allen, Allie Stringer and Suzanne Sterling. Front cover art and design by Emily Balivet. Back cover photo by Joy Santos.

“Mike’s new ‘Illumination’ album has taken his music to a whole new electronic dimension! Accompanied by the smooth vocal stylings of Joni Allen, Allie Stringer, and Suzanne Sterling, Mike has remixed familiar mantras into my new favorite chants. This album will be getting a lot of play time on my show!``
Joni Yung, host of the Yoga Chat with the Accidental Yogist podcast
``Illumination: Soundtrack for The Satya Yuga is a joyful expression of sacred chant that really grooves! The vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation quickly transport listeners to a beautiful ecstatic state. The six tracks on Illumination are amazingly diverse, and could work for anything from deep meditation to ecstatic dance.``
Colleen Buckman(Kalyani) Singer/SongWriter, Producer and Kirtan Artist

ABOUT THE MUSIC

1. SHIVA GROOVE

Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya, Om.

Hare Om, Hare Om, Hare Om. Om Namah Shivaya.

These potent mantras open a channel for cultivating Divine Energy. Om Namah Shivaya… I humbly call on the profound energy of Lord Shiva the Transformer.

3. JAY JAY MA

Jay Jay Ma Kali Ma, Jay Jay Kali Ma.

Sita Ram Sita Ram, Jay Jay Sita Ram.

Hanuman Hanuman, Jay Jay Hanuman.

Victory to Kali Ma, the transforming aspect of the Divine Mother that cuts through negativity. Kali Ma, please help me overcome any obstacles (inner or outer) to embodying Masculine and Feminine energy within my Heart.

5. HARE OM SHIVAYA (4/4 Version) 

Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya.

Hari Om Shivaya.

Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee.

A hauntingly beautiful invocation of Shiva, who has the power to create sudden and profound endings for the sake of new and more beautiful beginnings. Lord Shiva, please remove that which no longer serves. Please make space for Divine Grace to flow and create within my self, relationships and life in the world.

2. HANUMAN BOLO

Hanuman Hanuman, Jay Hanuman.

Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay. Jay Hanuman.

Hanuman Bolo, Hanuman Bolo, Jay Hanuman.

All praise to Hanuman – the Funky Monkey – who is able to hold Masculine (Ram) and Feminine (Sita) energies within his Heart. May I grow my capacity to do the same.

4. MAHA LAKSHMI

Om Aieem Kleem Shreem, Maha Lakshmeyei.

Maha Lakshmeyei.

Devi Sai-ee Ma.

Om Aieem Kleem Shreem. Om Maha Lakshmi-ayna Namaha.

This mantra expresses longing for the support and protection of Lakshmi, the goddess of spiritual and material prosperity. May I experience abundance and health, and gain access to profound spiritual energy.

6. OM SHANTI OM

Om Shanti Om, Shanti Om, Shanti Om.

Lokha Samasta Sukinoh Bhuvantu.

Om Shanti Om. I am Peace. We are Peace.

Mere Gurudev, Charanon Par, Sumana Shraddha, Ke Arpita Hai.

Tere Hee Dena, Hai Jo Hai. Wahi Tujha Ko, Samarapita Hai.

Om Prema Om, Prema Om, Prema Om.

Om Prema Om. I am Love. We are Love.

These closing mantras seal the energy of my practice in my heart. Endless appreciation for the One who brings light to those places where darkness resides. May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May all beings everywhere experience peace, love, abundance and creativity.

(Mere Guru Dev used with permission from Jeff Kagel, aka Krishna Das).