Music & More
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

CDs

Prayer to the Mystery
Little Wolf
New Earth Records
www.newearthrecords.com
The Little Wolf ensemble is led by Grammy Award winning musician and producer Jim Wilson. Here he presents a dreamy, ambient yet spirited offering which somehow seems a cut above many of the New Age/Native American hybrid offerings. Perhaps because those two genres are so skillfully blended here, perhaps because the ensemble is so very talented, or perhaps because the cuts seem true to a Native American spirit first and foremost; but, for whatever reason, this offering is extremely evocative and affecting. Superlative cuts include ‘Offering,’ the opening ‘Prayer to the Mystery,’ and ‘Serpent Dance.’ Flute, keyboards, percussion, bass (featuring Jim Wilson, Mazatl Galindo and Kevin Zornig) and some great vocals (supplied by Verdell Primeaux, Johnny Mike, and Nashoba Wilson, with a ‘guest appearance’ by Joanne Shenandoah), make up this highly recommended album.

Life Vibrations – Vol. I: Turquoise Moon
Steve Booke
Inner Sound Entertainment
www.innersoundentertainment.net
Turquoise Moon plays like a rock fantasy, as some well-executed electric guitar backed by excellent rhythms explores various states of mind with the help of a dreamy guitar synth, ‘Choral Sitar’ and several string instruments. The album is divided in two: “In-Between Above and Below” and “Inward Journey.” While the liner notes suggests it as great accompaniment for massage or healing sessions, I found the music to be quite ‘active.’ This is not a negative; to my ear, the cuts seemed of an epic soundtrack nature. I would love to hear Mr. Booke compose for films with subjects worthy of his high intentions. Or one could listen to his extremely visually-suggestive music and have self-made images dance about. A very enjoyable album from a very talented man.

COSMIX
Ram Dass & Kriece
Wave Form Records
www.waveformhq.com
This album put a big smile on my face. Somewhere between the traditional beatnik poetry/Jazz music performances and Laurie Anderson’s experimental music word play/performance work comes spiritual teacher Ram Dass’ creation with Australian DJ/performer Kriece. Against a heavy percussive-beat backdrop we hear Ram Dass speak about spiritual experiences, getting high (in many ways), philosophies, and the words of Guru Neem Karoli Baba. With Kriece’s occasional playful repetition of a word or a phrase, I think these two must have had great fun creating this! With cuts such as ‘Mystic Poetry,’ ‘Thoughts,’ ‘Stuck,’ ‘Mantra,’ and ‘Breath Inside the Breath,’ this, as Ram Dass puts it ‘is the mixdown of mantra and electronica merging into One Love.’ Different, fun, positive and uplifting.

Films

Birth Without Violence
Frederick Leboyer, MD
First US release of the 1970’s revolutionary film
New Earth Records
www.newearthrecords.com
Here is a short film, in black and white, with no soundtrack other than the sounds of the new baby and his (ideal) birthing environment by French physician and philosopher Frederick Leboyer. Filmed in 1975, it is an incredibly intimate portrait of birth. One almost feels, sees and senses from the newborn’s point of view, as he is gently and thoughtfully welcomed into the world. This welcoming is accomplished with a minimum of tears and shocks to the system, as soft lighting, massaging and comforting hands, and not a single iota of urgency accompanies his welcome. This film is not dated, nor has its message expired (unfortunately). It is beautiful, poetic, inspirational and, I feel, a must see for anyone approaching or planning for an upcoming birth. (I’m not in this position and I still loved the film!) Presented by New Earth Records with two other films by Dr. Leboyer, ‘Shantala: Loving Hands’ (emphasizing the importance of touch to the newborn) and ‘The Art of Breathing.’ A beautiful film.

The Sacred Sites of the Dalai Lamas – A Pilgrimage to the Oracle Lake
Steve Dancz
Written and Directed by Michael Wiese
Featuring Glenn H. Mullin & Khenpo Tashi
Michael Wiese Productions
www.MWP.com
Narrator Steve Dancz, fascinated by Tibet since childhood, makes a pilgrimage to the Oracle Lake, visiting sacred sites along the way. Accompanied by his teacher, Glenn Mullin and a monk, Khenpo Tashi, Mr. Dancz allows us to feel and see through his western eyes, daily life in Tibet, where spirituality is such an integral part of living. In this two-hour cinematic journey where prayer wheels, singing bowls, smoke offerings, renderings of the Buddha, butter lamps and examples of the practice of Buddhism abound, Steve Dancz explains the significance and history of each site visited.
The film is well-constructed, informative and, as is the case with most any subject when seen and explained through the eyes and words of one who loves his topic, his love is infectious. A great teaching film and armchair trip to a fascinating area of our world.

King of California
Directed by Mike Cahill
Starring Michael Douglas and Evan Rachel Wood
Millennium Films
www.kingofcalifornia.net
A selection of Spiritual Cinema Circle:
www.spiritualcinemacircle.com
There are films that grab you immediately; that bring you into the story from the moment the film rolls. King of California is not one of those films. No, it is a more seductive, slower paced and evocative film. With nary a special effect or blockbuster set or soundtrack, its subject matter, in one sense, is what life with a bi-polar (and generally mentally-challenged) father can be, told from the point of view of a disappointed 15-17 year old daughter. It is also the story of a man whose thought processes differ so from the general population that he is categorized as ‘disturbed.’ His story is told by one who cares enough to try to understand and give him the benefit of the doubt. So wavers his daughter Miranda (portrayed with sensitivity and finesse by Evan Rachel Wood) between disillusionment and cynicism about her father, to wanting to believe along with him in his apparent delusions. Michael Douglas turns in an exceptional performance as that mentally-challenged man. Through his acting skill, we get to witness the extraordinary workings of the mind of ‘Charlie’ – totally logical when understood from his viewpoint. His daughter, long-suffering yet deeply caring, provides him with the space to live in a world which forever tries to close in on him.
A surprisingly original film.

Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer based in New York City.