With the brutal suppression of Tibet by the Chinese government, in 1959, Tibetan Buddhist Monks from the Gyuto Tantric University joined the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, in fleeing their homeland and setting up a government-in-exile in northern India. In 1988, twenty one monks traveled to the United States and used their... [+] Read More

With the brutal suppression of Tibet by the Chinese government, in 1959, Tibetan Buddhist Monks from the Gyuto Tantric University joined the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, in fleeing their homeland and setting up a government-in-exile in northern India. In 1988, twenty one monks traveled to the United States and used their unique multi-tonal chanting to bring attention to their plight. Under the guidance of ethnomusicologist and Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart, the group recorded an album, Freedom Chants From The Roofs Of The World, at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch Studios in northern California. In addition to several tunes featuring the Gyuto Monks, the album included a musical offering to the group performed by Mickey Hart, Kitaro, Philip Glass and Jerry Garcia. The Gyuto Monks have been chanting in their multi-tonal style since the founding of the Gyuto Tantric University in 1474, two years after Columbus' discovery of the New World. According to People magazine, "The Gyuto chants are low and gutteral, with each monk capable of singing chords that contain two or three tones, simultaneously". Four Gyuto Monks -- Ngawang Sherab, Thupten Sherab, Sonam and Lobsang Tsultrim -- performed and created giant alters of colored butter in Australia in 1998. A meditative cd, The Practice Of Contentment, was released by ABC the same year. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Steve Halpern is the original new age artist, in the most accurate sense of the term. In 1975 he released Spectrum Suite, his first album of music specifically designed for relaxation and healing. Before that, Halpern had been immersed in the New York City jazz scene as a trumpeter and guitarist. His disgust at the adverse effects of life in the... [+] Read More

Steve Halpern is the original new age artist, in the most accurate sense of the term. In 1975 he released Spectrum Suite, his first album of music specifically designed for relaxation and healing. Before that, Halpern had been immersed in the New York City jazz scene as a trumpeter and guitarist. His disgust at the adverse effects of life in the fast lane were accentuated by a move to California, where he perfected his idea of "anti-frantic alternative" music. Based partly on his metaphysical beliefs and partly on more solid scientific research into the effects of sound on the human body, he came to the conclusion that the Western foundation of tension and release in music couldn't by nature provide listeners with relief from stress. He decided the answer was to create music that "didn't go anywhere" in the traditional sense but instead immersed the listener in a positive atmosphere conducive to recuperative and transcendental experiences. Halpern created music that was centered largely around cascades of major-key arpeggios improvised at the electric piano, and he added generous helpings of reverb to create a spacey, other-worldly feeling. He took a certain amount of inspiration from oriental classical music and looked into the ceremonial, magical, and healing aspects of sound used by ancient cultures. While some of his ideas take on the pseudo-science pallor of new-age mysticism, Halpern's importance as one of the true fathers of modern meditational and healing forms of music cannot be overemphasized. He has released over 50 instrumental and guided-meditation recordings, some of which are better than others. He has also written two books on his theories: Tuning the Human Instrument and Sound Health. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Steve Halpern is recognized as the foremost pioneer in the use of music for programs of health, well-being and recovery. Composer, recording artist and producer of more than 50 titles, Halpern now presents Creating Love, an exquisite collection of music compiled from some of his most outstanding albums. These superbly synthesized harmonies so... [+] Read More

Steve Halpern is recognized as the foremost pioneer in the use of music for programs of health, well-being and recovery. Composer, recording artist and producer of more than 50 titles, Halpern now presents Creating Love, an exquisite collection of music compiled from some of his most outstanding albums. These superbly synthesized harmonies so relax your body, mind and spirit that they automatically resonate to their own truth. Halpern is joined by Dallas Smith on Lyricon, Daniel Kobialka on violin, Suzan Mazeron on electric harp and Bettine Clemen-Ware on flute along with others. The music enhances many moods and gets even better with daily use. ~ MusD, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Recorded at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch, this is the second album produced by Mickey Hart of multi-phonic chanting by the celebrated Gyuto Monks. The album features two long cuts, one invoking Yamantaka (the destroyer of death), and the other invoking Mahakala (protector of the Dharma). The pieces resonate with spiritual power and, as a bonus,... [+] Read More

Recorded at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch, this is the second album produced by Mickey Hart of multi-phonic chanting by the celebrated Gyuto Monks. The album features two long cuts, one invoking Yamantaka (the destroyer of death), and the other invoking Mahakala (protector of the Dharma). The pieces resonate with spiritual power and, as a bonus, the album ends with a nine-minute live performance by Hart, Philip Glass, and Kitaro recorded at the invitation of the Abbot. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide [-] Hide

This collaboration with flutist Paul Horn is appropriately soothing, yet delightful on a purely musical level as well. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide

This collaboration with flutist Paul Horn is appropriately soothing, yet delightful on a purely musical level as well. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide [-] Hide