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!)”.

“Call to Spirit” is a contemplative and soul-elevating piece that is an homage to the idea that music can be a vehicle for deep soulful expression. A chant invokes the goodness and blessings that surround us and enables our physical being to resonate with the flow.

You can hear percussionist Jeff Haynes, flutist Ravichandra Kulur and cellist Eugene Friesen performing in studio as the piece evolves at Imaginary Road Studio in Vermont with producer Will Ackerman and recording engineer Corin Nelsen.

The Grammys brings together some of the greatest artists of our time, from all styles and musical genres. It’s a big affair that celebrates the most popular and upcoming music in all forms. The televised portion on CBS-TV took place at the Staples Center which seated 20,000 people and the place looked full to me from floor to ceiling. The afternoon pre-show where 100 Grammys were awarded, and after party for 5,000+ guests, took place at the adjacent LA Convention Center.

How do you win a Grammy? Well, you have to be nominated. Any member of NARAS (National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences) can nominate you. There is one round of voting that brings the nominations to 5, and then members vote for the winner.

Many friends and musicians I’ve known and played with were there too: the great Narada Michael Walden (a triple Grammy winner) performed with Jeff Beck. Narada is touring with Jeff this year. Carlos Santana attended (played together often in earlier days). The brilliant New Age pianist and composer Peter Kater was nominated for Best New Age album for the sixth time and cellist David Darling took the honor. The #1 guitarist John McLaughlin and Chick Corea won Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Five Peace Band. Guitarist Mike Stern was nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Joe Zawinul won. Seated in front of me at the awards was Native American artist Bill Miller who won his 3rd Grammy Best Native American Music Album. Cool story: I sat behind Bill because I could feel some really soulful energy. A few minutes after sitting down, Bill went out to pray and connect with the cosmic Spirit who guides us. He returned and soon was announced as the winner.

As far as the telecast went, it was a monumental stage set, large enough to blow away 20,000 people. How the crew managed to pull off these incredible multi-media driven performances – with 20 screens surrounding the stage – and state of the art lighting and stage designs around so many spectactular performances by Elton and Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Bon Jovi, Jeff Beck and others, I’ll never know. The production was really breathtaking, and forget the nay sayers — this was an incredibly well produced show. The icing on the cake was hearing Sam Cooke at the after show doing tunes like “Soul Man.”

I met so many terrific artists, including Bill Miller, Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett, Kitaro, Peter Kater, and friends Kit Thomas, Alex Theory, Greg Gordon, and so many other great souls, on truly a night to remember. So big Congrats to all!!