SOUL CONTACTsoul-contact-lg

Michael H. Cohen’s 2012 release, Soul Contact is an intoxicating musically inspired journey to the soul and beyond. Like his debut album, Om Dattatreya: Journey to the West (2009), Cohen’s second CD Soul Contact (2012) was created with Grammy Award winning producer Jeff Ciampa and has received critical acclaim by prominent U.S. yoga practitioners and media.

Soul Contact was created during a two-year period where Cohen toured North America and travelled to the Southern Indian holy sites of Penukonda, Shirdi and Tirupati.  According to Cohen, “The music creates a channel to the energy of these sacred power spots of India, allowing listeners to access the Love, Freedom and Aliveness of Dattatreya Kirtan. Soul Contact is pure devotional groove integrating unforgettable and unique, mysterious, techno- enhanced mantras with Eastern spirituality.”

According to Yoga Chicago Magazine, “Soul Contact moves from ancient incantation, straight to the energy of the modern world.”

TRACKS

1 Sai Isha Sharanam (Dance of Ganesh)
2 Uma Parvati
3 Shirdi Sai
4 Shakti Gayatri
5 Om Sai Shree Sai
6 Jaya Radhe
7 Om Narayana
8 Om Sai Guru Dev
9 Twameva Mata/Lokha Samasta

All music composed by Michael H. Cohen © 2006-12 Shiva Datta Music, LLC (BMI).

MUSICIANS

Michael H. Cohen – lead vocals, harmonium
Joni Allen – featured vocals (6, 8), choir vocals (1, 2, 3, 5)
Jim Ed Cobbs – percussion (1, 5)
Jim Feist – tablas (2, 4) classicaltabla.com
Kris Keith – flutes (1, 3, 4), soprano saxophone (1, 7)
Kevin Oliver – guitar (1, 3, 7)
Allie Stringer – featured vocals (2, 3, 4, 7, 9), choir vocals (1, 5, 6)
Jeff Ciampa – all other instruments and programming

ABOUT SOUL CONTACT

Crafted during a two-year Kirtan tour across North America, this music was profoundly influenced by Michael H. Cohen’s travels to Southern Indian holy sites in Penukonda, Shirdi and Tirupati. The music creates a channel to the energy of these sacred power spots, allowing one to access the Love, Freedom and Aliveness of Dattatreya Kirtan. Produced by Grammy Award winner Jeff Ciampa and featuring dynamic vocalists Joni Allen and Allie Stringer, Soul Contact integrates ancient Eastern spirituality with funky Western musical grooves. Each track is an invitation to sing, dance, clap and play with Divine Energy within a contemporary Western context. Soul Contact is an intoxicating journey to the soul and beyond.

PRODUCTION

Recorded, mixed and produced by Jeff Ciampa at Studio Orange
Mastered by Brian Lucey at Magic Garden Mastering
Microphone support from Rob Griffin
Art direction and graphic design by Stacey Hubert
Photo of Shirda Sai Baba shot by Philip Lipetz in Shirdi, India
Group photo by Kaity Fuja – Harmonium photo by Brandon Jones

There are nine chants on this release, and they're each unforgettable and unique, mysterious, techno- enhanced mantras from the heart of Dattatreya Kirtan. Soul Contact rises to the challenge of presenting the essence of the heart in this digital modern age we live in.
Debi Buzil, Yoga Chicago Magazine
The call and response sparkles with joy and passion.
, WRPI 91.5 fm Troy, New York
This combination of World music, funky rhythms, and blissful chanting pushes the envelope in a tasteful intertwining of East meets West. Cohen's stellar musicianship and amazing back up musicians/vocalists make the improvisation and experimentation on this project very exciting.
SP, Singer/Songwriter
While listening to Soul Contact I can feel my mind, my emotions, the subtle dancing of my body, all being pulled into this groove. Is it the divine names pulling me in? Or the enticing production and soulful singing? Both. I highly recommend this album for kirtan-lovers and funky-music-lovers alike.
Daniel Tucker, Kirtan Central
Soul Contact is an absolute delight that should be part of any kirtan lover's collection.
Joni Yung, Accidental Yogist
Soul Contact is pure devotional groove. This album will grip your hips and heart!
Blake Tedder, Full Lotus Kirtan Show
Funky, catchy rhythms, enchanting melodies, beautiful vocals and harmonies.
JN, Yoga Teacher

ABOUT THE MUSIC

1 SAI ISHA SHARANAM (DANCE OF GANESH)

Ganesha Sharanam, Sharanam Ganesh

Gum Gum Ganapateyei Namaha

Sai Isha Sharanam, Sharanam Ganesha

Gum Gum Ganapateyei Namaha

Namaha Namaha, Gum Gum Ganapateyei Namaha

Surrender your burdens and obstacles in the refuge offered by Ganesh and the great Indian saint Shirdi Sai Baba.

2 UMA PARVATI

Durga, Durga Kali Ma

Durga, Durga Jaya Ma

Uma Parvati Ananda Mahi

Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee

Invoke the protection and bliss of the Divine Mother. Bathe in the Grace of Shirdi Sai Baba.

3 SHIRDI SAI

Shradda Saburi Avohum

Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee

Maha Vaytala Brahma Putra Avohum

Shradda and Saburi… practice and patience. Vaytala (son of Brahma, the Creator) provides energy for creative responses to the illusions and challenges present of the manifest world.

4 SHAKTI GAYATRI

Om, Om, Om

Aieem, Aieem, Aieem

Kleem, Kleem, Kleem

Saum, Saum, Saum

Om Bhur Suu-vaha

Tat Sa-vee-tur Var-ayn-yam

Bhargo De-vaas-ya Di-mahi

Dhi-yo-yo Na-ha Pracho-da-yat

The ancient sage Vishwamitra created the goddess Gayatri so She could manifest what he needed in his life. This mantra connects you to the creative power of the Divine Mother, essential to changing the circumstances of your life.

5 OM SAI SHREE SAI

Om Namah Shivaya

Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee

Dattatreya

Upon leaving his body, Shirdi Sai Baba released a potent mantra for receiving refuge, guidance and love through his energy – Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee.

6 JAYA RADHE

Jaya Radhe

Govinda Gopala

Victory (Jaya) to the Divine Feminine in the form of Radhe, consort of Lord Krisha. Her sorrow reflects the mood of our current world-era, the Kali Yuga (Age of Darkness).

7 OM NARAYANA

Om Narayana Vasudevaya

Shree Devi, Laxmi

Bhudevi, Balaji

Shanti Prema

Saraswati

Om Aieem Kleem Shreem

Maha Laxmi

Lord Balaji abides in Tirumala Temple in Tirupati, India where he and his wives, Bhudevi and Laxmi, offer love, peace and prosperity to the multitudes of pilgrims who seek their blessings.

8 OM SAI GURU DEV

Om Sai Guru Dev Namoh Namah

Sadguru Sai-ee Namoh Namah

Mere Guru Dev Namah Namah

Praise to the blessed guru who shines Divine Truth, Purpose, Love and Peace into our lives.

9 TWAMEVA MATA/LOKHA SAMASTA

Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva,

Twameva Bandhu Cha Saka Twameva,

Twameva Vidya Dravenam Twameva,

Twameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva.

You are mother, father, brother and friend.

You are all wealth and wisdom.

You are my all in all, lord of lords supreme.

Lokha Samasta Sukinoh Bhuvantu

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

May all beings everywhere be happy and free. Peace, peace, peace.

 

These lullabies seal the energy of our Kirtan practice in our hearts. May we bring this Love, Freedom and Healing Energy into our lives to serve our self and others.