The Ark Bookstore in Santa Fe, New Mexico: Music

BESTSELLING MUSIC

Devotion by DJ Cheb I Sabbah

Cheb I Sabbah, renowned for his hypnotic North African musical sounds, turns his attention to the different spiritual traditions of India with DEVOTION. The music of the album alternates between three different musical traditions - Hinduism, Sikkhism and the Sufi tradition. Of course, it wouldn't be a Cheb I Sabbah album without lots of rhythmic grooves, and the album doesn't disappoint. On most of the tracks, beats of varying tempos are juxtaposed with sitar, bansuri flute, percussion and Middle Eastern strings. The highlight of each of the cuts is the vocals, which include singers from each of the three spiritual paths like Riffat Sultana, Rana Singh, Master Saleem. Some of the songs are more contemporary, while others stick with a more traditional sound, giving the music thematic variety.

Dream Chants by Cynthia Snodgrass

Cynthia Snodgrass is a teacher of ancient Sanskrit, author, musicologist and Episcopal priest. Over the course of her studies, Snodgrass developed an interest in how various religious cultures use music to develop a connection with their divine creator, an interest that later inspired the direction of her music and writing. DREAM CHANTS OF EAST AND WEST is a synthesis of music from two differing religious cultures: Gregorian Chant from the West and Sanskrit chants from the East. Against beautiful, meditative arrangements of sublime synthesizers composed by Jim Oliver, Snodgrass liltingly sings gorgeous chants of praise and wisdom that lift listeners up high, offering them a piece of heaven and the experience of illumination.

Fall by Norah Jones

With her hushed voice, hazy piano melodies and blues-tinged, confessional folk sound, Norah Jones became an unlikely success in the mainstream pop world, spawning three megahit albums and becoming a household name around the country. THE FALL is both familiar and different from her past work. On the familiar side, you have cuts like "December" and "Back to Manhattan," which order up her signature cocktail of low-key singing and feather light arrangements. Much of the rest of the album clearly finds Jones entering new territory, ushered in by new producer Jacquire King and a growing interest in making music for the guitar. There is more of a rock/Americana feel to many of the songs, best heard in the upbeat, jangly arrangements of "It's Gonna Be" and "Young Blood." The added energy is welcome and feels like a progression of themes explored on her album FEELS LIKE HOME.

Language of Love by Craig Pruess

Inspired by the Kama Sutra, the ancient book of writings outlining sacred sexual practices, THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE is an album of intoxicating rhythms that was designed to provide the ideal environment for physical love as well as solitary relaxation. The music is very rich and multi-textured, featuring an assortment of exotic instruments like the sitar, tambura, piano, bansuri flute, tabla, keyboards and more. Craig Pruess, who composed, produced, arranged and performs on the album, is a composer whose works have graced a variety of albums and film soundtracks, including the soundtrack for the movie "Bend it Like Beckham." His Indian themed albums are some of his most fascinating - listen to the songs on this album with their layered, overlapping melodies and you'll understand why.

Love Peace Chant by David Newman

"Love, Peace, Chant" is emotionally evocative with intimate sacred songs and hypnotic trance jams. "Shiva Om" settles into the warmth of meditative reflection with the ancient Indian sounds of the tabla and sarod, while "Love, Peace and Freedom" emanates with an exalted mélange of deep earthy rhythms and elevating lyrics. "Mata Bhavani" showcases David's unique ability to blend the classic sounds of the acoustic guitar with traditional Indian instruments and Sanskrit mantra lyrics.

Mantra Masala by Sada Sat Kaur

Veteran chanter Sada Sat Kaur has been performing her silky Sikh chant for over 30 years, having developed a strong reputation among listeners in India due to her unique, entrancing sound. MANTRA MASALA, dedicated to her teacher Yogi Bhajan and inspired by Guru Ram Das, continues to elegantly showcase her peaceful voice against East/West blended arrangements. Mixing harmonium and tabla beat with guitar, organ and keyboards, the overall sound is intimate though contemporary, capturing the organic energy of Sada Sat Kaur's chant. The mantras chanted here include "Wah Yantee: Patanjali's Song," "Har Har Har Har Gobinday" and "Adi Shakti." At times, her delivery is reminiscent of kirtan chant, particularly with the building speed and intensity of "Wahe Guru Jio," and at others is sweet and contemplative, as in "Guru Guru Wahe Guru."

Music of Grace

The hymn "Amazing Grace" may have began with humble origins - a spiritual former slave trader turned abolitionist rejoicing in God's forgiveness of his misdeeds. But over the last century it has turned into one of the world's most popular and inspirational songs, the theme song for anyone finding humility in redemption. MUSIC OF GRACE: AMAZING GRACE pays tribute to John Newton's timeless work through a collection of fourteen unique renditions of the song, each by a different artist. The versions/arrangements are quite diverse: Native American group Walela gives the tune a Native American spin, Lisbeth Scott's version has an electronic flair, and the St. Philips Boy Choir gives the song an added dose of spirituality with their cherubic choral sound. Other artists include Nana Mouskouri, John Doan, Bonnie Rideout and more.

Sacred Chants of Shiva by Art of Living

Produced, designed and featuring instrumentation by Craig Pruess, SACRED CHANTS OF SHIVA is a breathtaking collection of Sanskrit chants from the Indian Vedic tradition. Each of these chants feature the pristine female vocal harmonies of the Singers of the Art of Living, whose collective muses explore prayers and meditations of the goddess Shiva. Listeners will gradually expand their consciousness with the entrancing sounds of "Shivoham," "Shiva Manas Puja" and the most powerful chant, "Om Nama Shivaya," each accompanied by rich tambura dones, bansuri, prayer bells and swaramandalas. This album was guided and inspired by the great spiritual master Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Sacred Touch by Terry Oldfield

This album was specially recorded to create a supportive musical background for the healing arts. From the whales of the ocean to the birds of the rainforest, Terry Oldfield takes us on a healing journey through nature.
On Sacred Touch: Music for Massage, two-time Emmy nominee Terry Oldfield takes us on a healing journey through nature. From the whales of the ocean to the birds of the rainforest, Oldfield's inspiring music touches the hearts of many. His unique ability to bring the spirit of nature into his compositions enhances the soulful and meditative journeys his music explores.

Spiritual Healing by Deuter

Spiritual Healing finds Deuter in territory that he knows well - the realm of healing and tension relief. The album is as gentle as gentle can be, featuring mellow, Asian-tinged harmonies that carry with them the essence of peace and rejuvenation. Piano melodies are caressed by dreamy waves of synth atmosphere, while Indian strings and shakuhachi flute meld blissfully with Tibetan bowls and mystical keyboard tones. The album is vintage Deuter, and like his past releases, it is a natural fit for holistic work and healing practices, like massage, Reiki, yoga, meditation or prayer. In fact, simply playing this while you go about your day will no doubt give you a spiritual boost.

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