TRACKS 1. Shiva Groove 2. Hanuman Bolo 3. Jay Jay Ma 4. Maha Lakshmi 5. Hare Om Shivaya (4/4 version) 6. Om Shanti Om All music composed by Michael H. Cohen © 2006-16 Shiva Datta Music, LLC (BMI). © 2016, Shiva Datta Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved. “Om Shanti Om” contains a sample of ‘Mere Guru Dev’ by Jeff Kagel, published by Mustamullah Music (BMI). @ 2003. Used by permission of Licensor. All Rights Reserved. MUSICIANS Michael H. Cohen – lead vocals, harmonium Ben Leinbach - drum and percussion programming, keyboards, electric guitar, choir vocals Jeff Ciampa – drum and percussion programming, keyboards (3, 4, 5) Joni Allen – lead vocals (2, 5) Johanna Beekman - choir vocals (2, 3, 5, 6) Cameron Cohen - vocals (2) Lakshmi Devi Dasi - choir and ad lib vocals (1) Jim Feist – tablas (2) Rob Fordyce - electric bass (1, 2) Samantha Keller - choir vocals (1, 4) Gawain Matthews - electric guitar (1-5) Suzanne Sterling - choir and ad lib vocals (3, 6) Allie Stringer – featured vocals (4), lead vocals (2, 5) ABOUT ILLUMINATION Illumination blends ancient Eastern mantras and modern Western grooves, masculine and feminine energies and the individual (I) with the collective (We) to create an extraordinary inner experience. As you chant along with the many voices on these tracks, you are invited to relax, listen to others and allow their voices to pull the energy of these potent mantras through your heart. This process creates a profound inner illumination. As your experience ripples outward, it can illuminate others and transform the world - creating a portal to the Satya Yuga (Age of Truth). PRODUCTION Produced by Ben Leinbach at Old Bull Studios in San Anselmo, CA and Jeff Ciampa at Studio Orange in Columbus, OH. Mastered by Hans Christian at Studio 330 in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Illumination features virtuoso guitarist Gawain Matthews, and exquisite vocalists Joni Allen, Allie Stringer and Suzanne Sterling. Front cover art and design by Emily Balivet. Back cover photo by Joy Santos. SPECIAL THANKS Infinite thanks to Philip Lipetz, Swami Kaleshwar, Shirdi Sai Baba and the Guru Parampara for so generously sharing the wisdom of the Dattatreya lineage and the practice of Collective Spirituality. A deep bow of gratitude to the virtuoso musicians featured on this project: exquisite vocalists Joni Allen, Allie Stringer and Suzanne Sterling; virtuoso guitarist Gawain Matthews; renowned producers Ben Leinbach and Jeff Ciampa and gifted mastering engineer Hans Christian. Heartfelt appreciation to Rob and Shannon Crane and Cindy Marteney for providing beautiful and welcoming homes during the recording sessions. Finally, I am grateful to the many Kirtan Leader Institute students who have so fully and authentically stepped into the challenging, yet infinitely rewarding, practice of leading Kirtan. Your authenticity, love for Kirtan and desire to learn fills me with inspiration. ABOUT THE MUSIC 1. SHIVA GROOVE Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya, Om. Hare Om, Hare Om, Hare Om. Om Namah Shivaya. These potent mantras open a channel for cultivating Divine Energy. Om Namah Shivaya… I humbly call on the profound energy of Lord Shiva the Transformer. 2. HANUMAN BOLO Hanuman Hanuman, Jay Hanuman. Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay. Jay Hanuman. Hanuman Bolo, Hanuman Bolo, Jay Hanuman. All praise to Hanuman - the Funky Monkey - who is able to hold Masculine (Ram) and Feminine (Sita) energies within his Heart. May I grow my capacity to do the same. 3. JAY JAY MA Jay Jay Ma Kali Ma, Jay Jay Kali Ma. Sita Ram Sita Ram, Jay Jay Sita Ram. Hanuman Hanuman, Jay Jay Hanuman. Victory to Kali Ma, the transforming aspect of the Divine Mother that cuts through negativity. Kali Ma, please help me overcome any obstacles (inner or outer) to embodying Masculine and Feminine energy within my Heart. 4. MAHA LAKSHMI Om Aieem Kleem Shreem, Maha Lakshmeyei. Maha Lakshmeyei. Devi Sai-ee Ma. Om Aieem Kleem Shreem. Om Maha Lakshmi-ayna Namaha. This mantra expresses longing for the support and protection of Lakshmi, the goddess of spiritual and material prosperity. May I experience abundance and health, and gain access to profound spiritual energy. 5. HARE OM SHIVAYA (4/4 Version) Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya. Hari Om Shivaya. Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee. A hauntingly beautiful invocation of Shiva, who has the power to create sudden and profound endings for the sake of new and more beautiful beginnings. Lord Shiva, please remove that which no longer serves. Please make space for Divine Grace to flow and create within my self, relationships and life in the world. 6. OM SHANTI OM Om Shanti Om, Shanti Om, Shanti Om. Lokha Samasta Sukinoh Bhuvantu. Om Shanti Om. I am Peace. We are Peace. Mere Gurudev, Charanon Par, Sumana Shraddha, Ke Arpita Hai. Tere Hee Dena, Hai Jo Hai. Wahi Tujha Ko, Samarapita Hai. Om Prema Om, Prema Om, Prema Om. Om Prema Om. I am Love. We are Love. These closing mantras seal the energy of my practice in my heart. Endless appreciation for the One who brings light to those places where darkness resides. May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May all beings everywhere experience peace, love, abundance and creativity. (Mere Guru Dev used with permission from Jeff Kagel, aka Krishna Das).