The Spirituals

I understand the importance of the African-American spirituals/folk songs to this society. The ancestors have tapped me on my shoulder and made me pay attention to the ancient truths that are discovered only through the spirit. What a great getting up in the morning it is for me!

The spirituals are played on piano by the great John Lehman, who has been the music director at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Angeles for over two decades. He is a master pianist. Charles Neville plays alto sax on ‘Swing Low,’ David Crawford plays flute on ‘Motherless Child,’ Surya Botofasina plays keyboard bass on ‘Swing Low’ and Leon Sylvers created a beautiful background vocal arrangement n 'Consideration.'

It is a joy to sing this music and share it with humanity. I pray that this Spiritual project resonates with everyone who listens to it.

Listen to a sample from The Spirtuals (MP3 • 5.7MB)

Songs of the Urbane Ancestors
Roy Campbell, Jr. and Radha Botofasina

We decided to sing and play in the avant garde music tradition of our urban New York City upbringing. The songs mean a lot to us and were chosen because of the genius of the composers. New lyrics were written to match the mood of the music. The great Brian Auger and Herman Jackson played piano, John Belzaguy and John Clayton played upright bass, Ndugu Chancler and Ralph Penland are on drums, Jeff Clayton on alto sax, Roy Campbell Jr and Chris Albert are on trumpet, Karen Briggs is on violin and Jorge Carbonell is on percussion.

The songs were written by the Urbane Ancestors: 'SideWinder' by Lee Morgan, 'Naima' by John Coltrane, 'Night in Tunisia' by Dizzy Gillespie and 'Little Sunflower' by Freddie Hubbard.

They were formatted in RA technology by Alan Howarth for optimum fidelity.

Listen to a sample from Songs (MP3 • 4.9MB)

A Course in Miracles

This is a 25-minute reading from Volume 1, Chapter 4 by Shyam Tony Reyes with music by Radha Botofasina and Surya Botofasina. Shyam brings a wonderful sincerity and warmth to the readings of these sacred transcriptions.

Shyam Tony Reyes has dedicated his life to helping humanity. A native of the Philippines, he has lived in California for the over 20 years. Over the last 17 years, he has lived in an ashram outside of Los Angeles. He has been preparing for this reading for many years and brings a wonderful baritone speaking voice to the powerful text offered in "A Course in Miracles."

He has sang and played guitar in Asia and the United States. He also writes songs honoring the Mother Earth and the light within all beings.

"A Course in Miracles" is joyful and positive and it aids in the relief of everyday stresses.

Aspirations of the Heart

Newcomers to recording in the U.S.A. on this project are: Muthu and Nagraj Kumar on tablas and harmonium. Featured solo vocalists are Rashmi Charturvedi, Sharzad Sepanlou, Sandhya Sanjana,Shyam Reyes and Bahar. Saxophone brother players Oran Coltrane and Ravi Coltrane perform together on the song 'Narayana.' The very talented violinist, Lily Haydn lends her talent on 'Gracias Adios'; Surya Botofasina keyboardist and composer contributes his writing skills on 'Una Promesa' and his playing on 'The Seeds of War.'

The album also features Adolpho Pichardo, Roberto Froncesca, Lazaro Villa, Filiberto Sanchez and Angel Terry of the Buena Vista Social Club, plus the talents of Jorge Carbonell, a Cuban percussionist, and lyrical bassist John Belzaguy. The popular Cuban singer Rohitas' band members were included on three tracks: Juan Carlos on trumpet, Louis Palomino on trombone, Lima Rodriguez on tenor saxophone and keyboardist/music arranger Osvaldo Rodriquez. They are the brightest and the best of the contemporary Cuban music scene.

John Barnes of InnerSound Studio, turned in three tremendous tracks for the project: 'Life's Pathways', 'Life in God' and 'Oyaheya'.

Mantram

"Mantra in its etymological description is 'man': mind, 'tra': think. Recitation of mantra affords one the great opportunity to edify and expand ones mental and spiritual awareness and potentiality. The repetition of the mantras make an indelible impression upon the brain, and they can create an aura of divine protection around one." – Swamini Turiyasangitananda

Mantram is a sacred sound vibration for God-Realization. Radha is a Lover of God. For years Radha Botofasina has been singing mantras in the form of traditional bhajans/spiritual songs. The Mantram album presents her new approach, where ancient original sanskrit mantras blend with the modern world of sounds and rhythms. Her exalted vocals are accompanied by Sai Ram Iyer of Mumbai, India and a chorus of vocalists from many spiritual paths and countries.

Listen to sample #1 from Mantram (MP3 • 554K)
Listen to sample #2 from Mantram (MP3 • 482K)

Peace and Unity

The heart is calling for Peace and Unity in the world and in our lives. It is something very dear to my heart. I am playing harp on almost every track and this is the only album that I am doing this. It is orchestrally situated on the track and not as a solo instrument.

Shaila Music, PO Box 7, Agoura Hills, CA 91376
Phone 800.965.4958, Fax 818.597.8744
radha@shailamusic.com