Reviews for Mantra Yoga
Accolades written by the Aquarian:
Syd Baumel Editor
Temple Bhajan Band
Mantra Yoga
The Bhaktidevanta Book Trust
www.templebhajanband.com
Apparently in the lively yoga scene of Southern California, the Temple Bhajan Band is a hot ticket. It's not hard to imagine why, listening to this spirited album. Like Afro-American gospel music, this Indo-American counterpart is passionate and soulful - and it rocks. Compared to the ascetic chanting of Krishna Das (America's superstar of Hindu devotional music), Mantra Yoga is Party music.
Central to the band's appeal is lead singer Sura. With the voice of a gritty East Indian crooner, you would never know he's a white American guy who used to play folk music. At times, as on "Vasudeva Para Veda," Sura hits an ecstatic stride that brings to mind the late, great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In contrast, female lead singer Mahalaxmi dasi bears an unmistakably Western accent and a voice as virgin pure as Sura's is old spice. But, unlike Sura, Mahalaxmi's mastery of Eastern scales is less than pitch-perfect. While the songs and instrumentation on Mantra Yoga are steeped in India, the occasional Western touch - like the Claptonesque guitar licks on "Hare Krishna" - blends right in. In this very pleasing set of devotional songs, the Temple Bhajan Band succeeds in being spiritual without being monotonous and tuneful without being saccharine.
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It is so obvious they have the vibration and years behind them. (Eyes of The World Yoga Providence, RI)
I felt like I was in an ashram again. (Compassionate Yoga Northampton, PA)
Again, I'm impressed with the combination of Indian with more western styles, such as the rock'n'roll feel of Sva Gatam Gange. Loka Samasta was a personal favorite. (Atma Center Cleveland Heights, OH)
This is beautiful chant. Traditional, relaxing. (Yoga Energy Thousand Oaks, CA)
This was a very nice surprise. (Mid Peninsula Yoga Burlingame, CA)
One of my students felt very healed after listening to this. (Northwoods Yoga Rhinelander, WI)
Outstanding - 1st cut killer ( Urban Yoga Center, Palm Springs, CA)
Good Kirtan/chants (Spirit Fire, Phoenix, AZ)
Like the classical sound (Ashtanga Yoga Center, San Marcos, CA)
Enchanting sound - Simple and textured lyrics - lovely to listen and practice to. (Inner Story Yoga, Westlake Village, CA)
I loved the Bhajans, this is perfect music for yoga practice- the Sanskrit is inspiring. (Fresh Yoga, New Haven, CT)
This CD is fabulous - I love singing and chanting along (Peaceful Planet, Lakeworth, FL)
Inspiring! (Lithe and Easy Yoga, Port Charlotte, FL)
Very good blend of Eastern and Western voices, nice feeling. (Inner Peace Yoga Center, Indianapolis, IN)
Love it! Very authentic and delightful. Favorite tracks: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, (All People Yoga Center, Indianapolis, IN)
Perfect for playing in the yoga studio. It has a calm devotional thing going on, not too downbeat. Good energy level. (Yoga Connection Tribeca, NY, NY)
Teachers like this a lot for their classes. (Cincinnati Yoga School, Blue Ash, OH)
Like almost every track. (Anahata Yoga School, Providence, R.I.)
Yes, very good - Will use in class. (Quantum Specialties, Lead, SD)
Love it, hope my students like it. (Midtown Yoga, Memphis, TN)
I actually really liked this cd. It felt a bit more traditional than other cd's. I was swept away with the chants. (The Yoga Barn, Ivy, VA)
Very inspiring - good for slow classes. (My Yoga Spirit, Norfolk, VA)
Great to do yoga with (Now:Yoga Studio, Nooksack, WA)
Back to Discography
Syd Baumel Editor
Temple Bhajan Band
Mantra Yoga
The Bhaktidevanta Book Trust
www.templebhajanband.com
Apparently in the lively yoga scene of Southern California, the Temple Bhajan Band is a hot ticket. It's not hard to imagine why, listening to this spirited album. Like Afro-American gospel music, this Indo-American counterpart is passionate and soulful - and it rocks. Compared to the ascetic chanting of Krishna Das (America's superstar of Hindu devotional music), Mantra Yoga is Party music.
Central to the band's appeal is lead singer Sura. With the voice of a gritty East Indian crooner, you would never know he's a white American guy who used to play folk music. At times, as on "Vasudeva Para Veda," Sura hits an ecstatic stride that brings to mind the late, great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In contrast, female lead singer Mahalaxmi dasi bears an unmistakably Western accent and a voice as virgin pure as Sura's is old spice. But, unlike Sura, Mahalaxmi's mastery of Eastern scales is less than pitch-perfect. While the songs and instrumentation on Mantra Yoga are steeped in India, the occasional Western touch - like the Claptonesque guitar licks on "Hare Krishna" - blends right in. In this very pleasing set of devotional songs, the Temple Bhajan Band succeeds in being spiritual without being monotonous and tuneful without being saccharine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is so obvious they have the vibration and years behind them. (Eyes of The World Yoga Providence, RI)
I felt like I was in an ashram again. (Compassionate Yoga Northampton, PA)
Again, I'm impressed with the combination of Indian with more western styles, such as the rock'n'roll feel of Sva Gatam Gange. Loka Samasta was a personal favorite. (Atma Center Cleveland Heights, OH)
This is beautiful chant. Traditional, relaxing. (Yoga Energy Thousand Oaks, CA)
This was a very nice surprise. (Mid Peninsula Yoga Burlingame, CA)
One of my students felt very healed after listening to this. (Northwoods Yoga Rhinelander, WI)
Outstanding - 1st cut killer ( Urban Yoga Center, Palm Springs, CA)
Good Kirtan/chants (Spirit Fire, Phoenix, AZ)
Like the classical sound (Ashtanga Yoga Center, San Marcos, CA)
Enchanting sound - Simple and textured lyrics - lovely to listen and practice to. (Inner Story Yoga, Westlake Village, CA)
I loved the Bhajans, this is perfect music for yoga practice- the Sanskrit is inspiring. (Fresh Yoga, New Haven, CT)
This CD is fabulous - I love singing and chanting along (Peaceful Planet, Lakeworth, FL)
Inspiring! (Lithe and Easy Yoga, Port Charlotte, FL)
Very good blend of Eastern and Western voices, nice feeling. (Inner Peace Yoga Center, Indianapolis, IN)
Love it! Very authentic and delightful. Favorite tracks: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, (All People Yoga Center, Indianapolis, IN)
Perfect for playing in the yoga studio. It has a calm devotional thing going on, not too downbeat. Good energy level. (Yoga Connection Tribeca, NY, NY)
Teachers like this a lot for their classes. (Cincinnati Yoga School, Blue Ash, OH)
Like almost every track. (Anahata Yoga School, Providence, R.I.)
Yes, very good - Will use in class. (Quantum Specialties, Lead, SD)
Love it, hope my students like it. (Midtown Yoga, Memphis, TN)
I actually really liked this cd. It felt a bit more traditional than other cd's. I was swept away with the chants. (The Yoga Barn, Ivy, VA)
Very inspiring - good for slow classes. (My Yoga Spirit, Norfolk, VA)
Great to do yoga with (Now:Yoga Studio, Nooksack, WA)
Back to Discography