Boulder, CO (Top40 Charts) Musically speaking,
David Newman, perhaps best described as a "spiritual singer-songwriter," may not immediately seem like a likely candidate for the remix/electronica treatment, but an unexpected introduction to an adventurous producer/engineer has resulted in REBLISS: STARS REVISITED (available January 29, 2013 from White Swan Records), a unique recording that takes Newman's 2012 studio recording, STARS, in an entirely new direction - crossing over into the realm of remixes.
Newman (or Durga Das, as he is known in the spiritual community) was introduced by a mutual friend and fellow yoga instructor to veteran New York composer/ producer/mix engineer -- and yoga teacher -- Krishna Venkatesh, whose musical palette and background - including tours with
Nine Inch Nails and Ministry and studio work with
Herbie Hancock - are very far afield from the kirtan genre. Newman and Venkatesh found an instant synergy that carried them well beyond their mutual immersion in yoga and meditational practice, and this remix collection is the groove-laden fruit of what became a most unlikely but highly successful musical and personal chemistry.
This meeting of the minds began while Newman was creating STARS (March 2012, White Swan Records). Venkatesh reached out to him with interest in exploring possible ways to collaborate. They agreed upon the idea of "re-visiting" the album's tracks in a way that contrasted with their original style. The experiment began with a dub-style remix of the song "Love Belongs To Everyone." That track served as the acid-test and catalyst for what became the new remix adventure.
From there,
David turned Venkatesh loose on the rest of the album, allowing him to apply his studio magic to the remaining seven songs. The result is a collection of diversely textured tracks, in styles ranging from retro-disco and lounge to Bhangra and soul to deep dub and dubstep. While each song receives a completely different spin from the original material, they retain the underlying organic vibe and Newman's spiritual intention, giving the full suite of music a holistic sense of cohesion.
David Newman is among the most beloved kirtan chant artists and sacred singer-songwriters working in the music world today. A practitioner and established educator of Bhakti yoga (the "yoga of love"), the Philadelphia native is also a dedicated troubadour of chant and sacred song, touring tirelessly around the globe to share his devotional mysticism, distinctive musicality and joyful, often ecstatic performances with a growing legion of fans.
The multi-talented activist has recorded several albums, including STARS -- partial proceeds from which are directed to human rights proponents WITNESS.org -- in addition to authoring the book MERGING WITH GRACE and founding THE STAY STRONG PROJECT, a humanitarian endeavor formed to aid relief efforts in the Gulf of Mexico and, more recently, to support Global Green USA's Green School Building Program.
Krishna Venkatesh's work has included multiple tours with the aformentioned
Nine Inch Nails and Ministry as well as Siouxsie & the Banshees. In addition to Hancock, he has collaborated in the studio with such diverse legends as the late Joe Strummer, Nile Rodgers and Blue Man Group. His music has been heard extensively on MTV Networks, HBO, TLC and on television programs throughout
Europe and Asia, with fresh original compositions that embrace a broad spectrum of eclectic sounds, from jazz and electronica to metal, symphonic classical and traditional Indian music.
Clearly, opposites attract -- but from somewhere in the musical middle ground that spans between them,
David Newman and Krishna Venkatesh have respectfully and in the most complementary way crafted a heartfelt and intoxicating offering that exudes innovation and spirit.
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Track Listing: RE-BLISS: STARS REVISITED
1. Love Belongs to Everyone/Gayatri (Deep Dub Mix)
2. We Are What We Are/Sri Ram (One Love Lounge Mix)
3. Thinking of You/Sri Krishna (Heart
Strings Mix)
4. Dreaming/Durga Maharanai (Omtown Philly Mix0
5. Tulsi's Bliss (Half-Step Bhangra Mix)
6. Stars (Galactic Power Pop Mix)
7. Ganesh Under Moonligh (Pocket Funk
Jungle Mix)
8. Ancient Spirals
Shiva (Solemnity
Shadows Mix)
Tour Dates: DAVID NEWMAN
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Friday, December 21st
Stay Strong Project 2 Release
12.21.12: Winter Solstice Kirtan Celebration
A Benefit Concert for The Bridge Foundation and Global Green USA
The New Leaf Club
Rosemont, PA
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December 28th to 30th
Bhakti Bliss: The Practice
with David, Mira, Sean Johnson and Brenda McMorrow
KRIPALU CENTER
Stockbridge, MA
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December 30th to January 1st
Bhakti Bliss: The Celebration
with David, Mira, Sean Johnson and Brenda McMorrow
KRIPALU CENTER
Stockbridge, MA
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Wednesday, January 23rd
Kirtan Concert
Yoga Secrets
Kennett Square, PA
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Friday, January 25th
Kirtan Concert
Om Sweet Om
Port Washington, NY
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Saturday, January 26th
Inner Fire Yoga Workshop
Raven's Wing Yoga
Branford, CT
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Sunday, January 27th
Kirtan Concert
Starseed Yoga & Wellness
Verona, NJ
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Friday, February 1st
Kirtan Concert and Live
Music for Yoga
Friday Night Yoga Club
Temple Event Center
Denver, CO
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Saturday, February 2nd
Kirtan Concert
Double Rainbow Ranch
Niwot, CO
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Sunday, February 3rd
Kirtan Concert
The Yoga Room
Idaho Springs, CO
