The photos above and below are part of a transformation that I’m helping promote. I work with ThingLink but I’m also a musician. And a lucky one that I get to pioneer something I feel is truly new, innovative and important.

Like lots of indie musicians, I’m always looking for new ways to promote and share information about my music. In this case, I’m promoting my debut CD, Sacred Love.

Now this is a post about images but I get to be the star too — so check out the photo below. I’m bronzed like Hans Solo in Star Trek.

You’ll notice small dots inside the image. They are called ThingLinks: in-image links from inside this photo to any place I choose. The tags act like channels to information I want to share. The tags are easy to set up with a description (250 characters) and URL. In this case, I set up ThingLinks to my blog, my latest press release, my Twitter and Facebook pages, to my photographer’s website, and there’s a surprise.

There is a Sound Player embedded in this image. Click on the play button and my song, Edge of Eternal, plays.

That is cool!

So for musicians like me, that photo – which I was only able to observe before – has become something more than a beautiful composite by photographer Mario Covic. It’s now an information wallet I can share throughout my social network.

Here are some things I can do with Thinglinked images that help me socialize me images:

• Announce my ThingLinked photo to friends and fans on Facebook and Twitter, and email a link. Fans can do the same. If ‘m lucky, I made a new fan. Thanks to this ThingLinked photo.
• Embed a photo with ThingLinks… in my other blogs and websites. The links stay in the image. And fans can share it, too.
• Allow readers to add their OWN ThingLinks to the image. I wonder where fans would place links.
• Receive stats from ThingLink (as part of a free account) on how many people are interacting with my images with views, hovers and clicks.

Try hovering your mouse over the image and I put links into – and see what comes up.

After you sign up at ThingLink.com, you add three lines of code to your blog or website page. ThingLink works on websites and blogging platforms. If you’re hosting a WordPress site, there is a beta ThingLink plug-in that you can download via WordPress.

Have fun and share your stories.

It is the highest joy
To feel the taste of life

Shambhu’s music is very expressive. It easily plunges you into an exciting world. In general, Shambhu’s guitar solo is weightless and deeply meditative. It is free from pain and suffering. His music inspires you to open your heart and to hear the vibrations of love and compassion. It gives a rest for your soul and helps to achieve clearness for your mind.

“Sacred Love” is the debut album by Shambhu. It was produced by legendary Windham Hill Records founder and Grammy winner Will Ackerman. Many first class musicians have participated on the recording of this release. As a result “Sacred Love” is a multicolored carpet which imbues with the aromas of various cultures and musical traditions.

The debut album by Shambhu has the unique, mesmeric flavor of the music of India. And at the same time it is a really western born project. Cello, violin and other parts of traditional instruments bring tenderness and a classical charm to “Sacred Love”.

One wants to listen to these fine tunes very attentively in order to not to miss each nuance. Shambhu’s music is penetrated by many subtle details and when you listen to the composition “Imagine” you, without effort, are able to recognize the thoughtful and slightly ringing guitar of Will Ackerman. His touching soul manner of performing cannot be confused with anybody else.

In conclusion I’d like to say that “Sacred Love” has a perfect sound design. Its sounding is pure and exquisite. When I listened to the album of Shambhu one thought appeared in my mind again and again: how could I live without this wonderful music all the time before?

Serge Kozlovsky
http://sergekozlovsky.com

The debut of composer and guitarist Shambhu is entitled Sacred Love. It is an award-winning work in which the artist features his guitar through different genres on the same CD, from the soft sound of jazz rhythm merging into perfect music for healing and suitable for mantra. Enjoying the sound of different instruments, Shambhu is accompanied by fantastic musicians who are featured  prominently in different parts accompanying his guitar. Great artists such as Will Ackerman himself, who also co-produced Sacred Love, accompanying on guitar, Tony Levin on bass, George Brooks on sax, Jeff Haynes on percussion, Eugene Friesen on cello, Charlie Bisharat on violin, Ravichandra Kulur on flute, Celso Alberti on drums, and many other talents who enhance the already fascinating compositions of Shambhu.

It starts with the best.  The CD opens with “Together”, a seductive and interesting piece with a rhythmic sound and melody. Shambhu plays guitar and introduces the melody that slowly evolves over the gentle rhythm of kalimba, bass, sarod, and percussion. Other instruments, like violin, play some amazing solos. What a beauty! My favorite.

“Edge of Eternal” is an intimate and very delicate composition featuring soft guitar strums and notes, slow and fragile, and these are followed with great tenderness by the voice of Noah Wilding, Eugene Friesen’s cello and English horn by Jill Haley. It’s another of Shambhu’s amazing and exciting compositions. I like it!

He displays a deep innocense in “Eyes of a Child.” This touching and kind work is like the sweet notes of a lullaby written for guitar and Shambhu’s instrument is infused with a superhuman passion, achieving a vivid and really emotional feeling. Another wonder of Sacred Love!

“Natural Moment” rules with a mysterious and haunting Eastern rhythm. This piece reveals surprises, like the piano of the great Rocky Fretz, who adds life to the composition born into a magical dance of the guitar, violin, sitar and other instruments.

In “Revelation”, Shambhu’s guitar arpeggios convey an amazing sweetness and accompaniment for the other instruments. One of the most exciting songs of the entire album, “Revelation” has a deep, nostalgic tone that reveals great depth. The cello and English horn describe a passionate and most beautiful music. I like it!

Three great artists are featured on the composition “Imagine.” Shambhu and Will Ackerman on guitar and bassist Michael Manring give life to this serene work, a piece in which the guitars come together to offer a loving and thoughtful music, creator of wonderful dreams.

Shambhu’s solo guitar opens “Maui Breeze.” He creates a subtle rhythm with the beat of percussion and voice of singer Claytoven Richardson. Radiant and optimistic with a nice, quiet feel, “Maui Breeze” is mesmerizing.

“Nirab Amare” lets us go deep within and feel illumination. So sweet, so slow, the music is created by Shambhu’s arpeggios that accompany the soothing flute of Premik Russell Tubbs and bird calls and natural sounds of Windham County, in Vermont. A great way to say: “Restful”. Another of my favorites!

The amazing beauty of “Hide and Seek” lies not only in composition, but also in the two voices of the main melody of this impressive work, the voices of Claytoven and Michael Denten. Shambhu just follows the voices with arpeggios, percussion and bass to maintain the flow of this very catchy music. It’s peaceful composition and I love it.

Guitar, flute and sax give life to “Shiva Grove”, a track where two instruments maintain a relaxed conversation, while the guitar creates a musical background. George Brooks on sax and Ravichandra Kulur on flute create a most interesting fusion, as if the jazz and Eastern music were united in a new genre. A perfect, relaxing music for meditation.

“Call to Spirit.”  The feeling of the East winds again in another piece by Shambhu, but this time with great force. Another perfect music for meditation and relaxation, as mysterious Indian chants emerge to the passage of sound of the guitar, cello, flute, percussion and some bells.

As a finale to Sacred Love, Shambhu opts for a bonus track titled “Humility.” This is the larger theme of the album, more than seven minutes of great peace and harmony, where alternating guitar and flute melodies on Asian instrument sound are maintained from start to finish. I like it!

Sacred Love is the launch of the new award-winning composer and guitarist Shambhu. A great job with rich melodies and fascinating compositions where no one piece goes unnoticed to the listener. The different rhythms and nuances in these twelve interesting songs create a power of seduction difficult to explain. Sacred Love is a very highly recommended album. Check it out!

5 Stars of out 5

Calm all thought and quiet sound and stop movement

and just breathe slowly and close your eyes

and feel Love Love Love of Love itself.

And just be. Be grateful ….for having been …..

a Happy start of 2011.

~Shambhu

Photo by Mario Covic

Shambhu in Sedona

Had a great audience for a wonderful concert in Sedona on December 18th that I played at the home of artist Trea Christoper Grey and entrepreneur Kimall Christiansen.

Trea’s amazing art is featured in a collection of music, writing and art called Worlds of Good Fortune. The spirit of love and divine connection are richly conveyed throughout the collection which is so artfully executed. It’s a truly transcendent work that carries a healing vibration and reflects light.

Trea, Shambhu and Kimall

Check out Worlds of Good Fortune and pick out a Deck for Guided Inspiration, a Greeting Card, an Altar Card or Scarf, that will delight and inspire your life.

Shambhu and Mia

Thanks to Trea and Kimall for hosting me and the concert at their home. Thanks to photographer, harpist and healer Mia Margaret Angelica who also hosted my stay.

And to all the beautiful friends and healers who attended, thanks for your love and healing.

Rev. Kedar leads the congregation in song. Many songs. It is a beautiful service and if you’re ever on Maui, this is the place to celebrate your spirit. There is a beautiful gift shop and some cleansing health services are available.

Thanks to my friend Kit Thomas and Rev. Kedar, for giving me the opportunity to offer two songs there on my first Sunday on Maui.

Shambhu Maui

It’s one of the really hot weekly jams on Maui but it’s more than that. Hosted by guitarist Donnie Divino Smith and his wife, Sada Smith, the jam brings together Maui’s best musicians who pay homage to the  joy of music, the blessings of Maui, and the Heart-song that unites us.

I was so honored to participate this past week because we were honoring the passing of Donnie and Sada’s beloved son Sean who passed three years ago. Sean’s spirit was in the room…and his smile shined down on us.

Live Shambhu at East-West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA.

November 20. 2010

34 – Shambhu Live – “Country Aire”

33 – Shambhu Live – “Spirit Oasis”

32 – Shambhu and Todd Boston Practice

31 – Shambhu Live Soundcheck -”Devodance”

30 – Shambhu Live – David DiLullo and Michael Manring Solos

29 – Shambhu Live – “Devodance”with Jeff Oster and Todd Boston

28 -Shambhu Live – Solo – “Humility”

27 -Shambhu Live – “Eyes of a Child” with Todd Boston

26 – Shambhu Band – Rehearsal for East-West Bookstore Performance:

Shambhu – guitars

Michael Manring – bass

Jeff Oster – flugelhorn and trumpet

Dave DiLullo – percussion

Todd Boston – guitar, dotar and flutes

Troy Arnett – piano

Please share widely and comment on videos at YouTube.

All compositions Copyright 2010 by Shambhu.

Published by Sacred Love Music (BMI).

On his stunning debut CD, Shambhu performs music of the heart, in an exquisite fusion of contemporary instrumental and indo-jazz that listeners will find healing, soulful and abundantly enjoyable. Shambhu’s mastery of the guitar and compositional elegance enables full-bodied expressions of nuance and subtlety while engaging audiences in deep spirit. “Sacred Love” offers an endless panorama of luminous music that pours from Shambhu’s guitar and creative vision, lifting us with billows of heartfelt, spacious and ever so inviting inspiration. This is a masterful, melodic and magical expression overflowing with exquisite compositions played to perfection with guest appearances by today’s finest musicians.  The songs transport me to places I have only dreamed of — this tuneful journey has left me spellbound!

Shambhu’s guitar playing is exquisite, powerful and delicate at the same time, while redefining a new standard for instrumental music. It’s a pioneering work that captures the whole contemporary music sound – where it has come from, where it is now, and what’s possible. It includes heart, vision, dazzling playing, and endless imagery. People often think of instrumental music as something that dwells in the background. Shambhu’s music invites full-on, soulful listening and continually draws you in deeper and deeper, revealing your own core. Shambhu collaborated on the CD with the legendary Grammy Award winners Will Ackerman (co-producer and Windham Hill founder) and Corin Nelsen (recording and mix engineer). Musicians featured on the CD include: Tony Levin on bass (Peter Gabriel), George Brooks on sax (John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Larry Coryell), Ravichandra Kulur on flute (Ravi and Anoushka Shankar), cellist Eugene Friesen (Paul Winter Consort), Jeff Haynes on percussion (Pat Metheny), Celso Alberti on drums (Stevie Winwood), Premik Tubbs on flute (John McLaughlin and Santana), Todd Boston on sarod, Jeff Oster on flugelhorn, vocalists Noah Wilding and Claytoven Richardson, as well as other amazing artists.

I have known Will Ackerman since the early Windham Hill days in 1980.  Throughout his own masterful catalog, time-honored compositions and innovative releases (such as “Passage” or “Hearing Voices”) he has provided a level of artistry and excellence that sets him apart. His production work, notably over the past decade, has helped numerous fine artists who had not yet found their musical voice discover the path to the best work of their career. With Shambhu, he encountered an artist that already knew his way.

Will’s comments: “It’s utterly true that I love that this music, while truly spiritual, allows for unfettered joy as well as contemplation. There is a brilliant range to Shambhu’s music; moments when the mood is achingly tender and meditative and times when the music just grooves. Not relegating himself simply to introspection, Shambhu creates music which embraces and celebrates all aspects of life which ultimately feels very profound to me.”

That is part of why I feel “Sacred Love” may well be the best project Will has been involved in, which is not to be said or taken lightly.

Each song is its own journey and sound painting with unique colors, shades, rhythms and vistas from Shambhu’s inner experience. The songs flow with a fresh weaving of acoustic, world, and Indian musical styles and grooves. The earth rhythms make you want to dance, and the celestial melodies are elevators into a heavenly realm. The beauty of nature is expressed in ways that are everywhere evident. Shambhu is a Sanskrit name meaning “Source of Happiness”. He has performed over the years with Carlos Santana, Narada Michael Walden, Premik Tubbs, and played on Whitney Houston’s multi-platinum album, “Whitney.” He studied meditation for three decades with the renowned mystic Sri Chinmoy. Blessed and inspired by the contributions of an amazing assemblage of brilliant musicians, the songs show themselves over time, some immediately, others in surprising, unplanned ways.  It’s a “soul-elevating journey through music into the deep recesses of your heart.”

I am certain you’ll agree the results are a musical playground and landscape for superb and spacious listening: peaceful, moving, and shining with bright light and illumination from start to finish. “Sacred Love” is one of the best CDs of the year (or any year!)”.