Lotus Dream: MainlyPiano.com Review

by Kathy Parsons

Lotus Dream is the tenth album/EP (plus a number of singles) from award-winning guitarist and composer Shambhu, an artist I’ve been happily reviewing since his 2010 debut, Sacred Love. The nine-track album blends acoustic and electric guitars, piano, bass, synthesizers and ambient textures to create music for slowing down, breathing deeply and regaining a sense of calm and optimism. The album was recorded at Hamptons Sanctuary Studios, Shambhu’s home studio, and was mixed and mastered in Dolby Atmos by Todd Boston. The sound quality is amazing in that it sounds like the music is being played live in the same room with you! The first four tracks on the album were released earlier this year as singles, and it’s great to hear how they fit into the overall intention of the album. Those four singles include Shambhu’s second project with Leo Steinriede, “Resilience.” I probably say this in all of my reviews of Shambhu’s music, but I think this is his best album to date!

Lotus Dream begins with “Shall We,” a piece that offers hope and encouragement to keep going. An acoustic guitar piece with some bass, it’s a very beautiful and uplifting start! “Awakened Dreams” features Shambhu playing two acoustic guitars and bass, expressing feelings of hopefulness for what’s ahead. Quoting Shambhu: “The future can still surprise us - in beautiful ways.” “Ananya” is one of my favorites and is quite different without being distractingly so. When the single was released, Shambhu was quoted as saying: “With this piece, I’m expanding my creative palette, blending ambient textures with electric expression to create a soundscape that invites the listener into inner stillness and luminous space.” I hear so many things in this piece including spaciousness, soothing colors, a welcoming darkness, and an intriguing bit of mystery. “Resilience” is a duet with Leo Steinriede and was composed and recorded live. It’s a beautiful example of two artists listening, responding and creating in real time - something of a conversation without words. Warm and soothing with a gently flowing rhythm, it features Shambhu on electric guitar, synthesizer and bass, along with Steinriede on electric and Nashville guitars. “Majestic Mountain” is a piano piece Shambhu composed years ago and wanted to finish and release on an album. The piece includes piano, electric and acoustic guitars, and synths, all played by Shambhu - soothing yet magical! “Lotus Dream” was also composed earlier on the piano, and this newly-finished version includes piano/keyboard, acoustic guitar, and synth strings - so peaceful! “Blue Mantra” is grounded in Shambhu’s meditation practice and reflects on the quiet tensions and uncertainties of our current times while it gently offers release. Acoustic guitars and synth washes create an atmosphere of calm and hope. “Prana Tides” blends electric and acoustic guitars with atmospheric electronic sounds - so relaxing and uplifting - perhaps a lullaby for “big kids!” “Visions,” an “ambient electric exploration,” brings this outstanding album to a peaceful close. Let’s play it again!

Lotus Dream will be released on September 26, 2025. It is available for pre-orders now on Amazon as well as the pre-save links below. More links will be added as they become available. I give Lotus Dream an enthusiastic both thumbs up!

September 19, 2025