Soul Contact by Mike Cohen

Album review by Daniel Tucker

April 9, 2012

Mike Cohen's new album "Soul Contact" opens with a funky, pulsing, techno-inflected invocation, chanted while a spritely saxophone dances around the two female voices of Allie Stringer and Joni Allen, who sing to Ganesha in sweet harmony.

The rapid rhythms of hand drums and bass, against slow, sustained chords creates a palpable sense of anticipation. This combination of energetic instrumentation, with restrained, slow-building chanting is used throughout the album, and very effectively so.

A few highlights:

Track 4, Shakti Gayatri, is a welcome new take on an old favorite mantra. The beat production is right in the pocket, my head nods along, while the melody, tinged with longing, gradually escalates.

Track 6, Jaya Radhe, is a sensuous painting of a song, Mike and Grammy award-winning producer Jeff Ciampa drawing on a wide palette of sounds with lush layers of female voices. Spacious and sexy, the production slowly builds until suddenly all the instruments are silenced, leaving us floating in a cascading sea of Alli and Joni's repeated "Jaya Radhe." Then finally the band re-enters, with an edgy new acoustic guitar in the mix to propel the energy.

Track 7, Om Narayana, is a joyous celebration of the supreme, with a melody that instantly became stuck in my ear! Band improvisation from flute, saxophone and wah-wah guitar fill out the sound, reminding me of the cacophonous delight of the Dave Matthews Band.

Track 8, Om Sai Guru Dev, instantly hits where it matters most, with a depth of devotion somehow conveyed by the music even before the heartfelt lyrics enter. This is one to cry to, to be reminded of the palpable presence of the guru in this very moment.

I can feel my mind, my emotions, the subtle dancing of my body, all being pulled into this groove. Is it the divine names pulling me in? Or the enticing production and soulful singing?

Both. I highly recommend this album for kirtan-lovers and funky-music-lovers alike.

Visit MikeCohenKirtan.com for more about Mike Cohen's albums and tour schedule.

Mike's previous album, Om Dattatreya, is also a bonus download in the bundle of goodies in the Learn to Play Harmonium Deluxe boxed set.