"The Bhakti Road", is a collection of Sanskrit Chants from India, sung by Matthew and friends and accompanied by guitar and a variety of World percussion instruments including: riqq, various frame drums, and didgeridoo. Joining him on this new recording are Michael Marsolek and Nathan Zavalney, also of Drum Brothers, and Tracy Topp. Matthew began his journey into World music traditions after his first exposure to Sankrit chanting a number of years ago. From the liner notes: "I first heard a bhajan (an Indian hymn) in 1985. It was sung by my good friend VJ who lived in the flat above me in the apartment where I lived in Helena, Montana. Accompanying herself on the Veena, she sang a sweet simple chant to Narayana, one of the innumerable names of God in the Hindu tradition. My heart immediately opened to the sound and I yearned to travel to the source of this music. Soon after, I found myself in India where I began a study of world music traditions which has inspired my musical life for the past 18 years. . . " TESTIMONIALS: "Montana's Guru of World Music... The pied piper of OM..." -Great Falls Tribune "Finally, another name to add to the short list of artists who have the ability to transform us with their singing of Indian bhajans. -Sheryl Theessen, Kelowna Yoga House Society "Matthew Marsolek could be every mother's son - but he has chosen to become the Divine Mother's son by singing her name. In the Hindu tradition there is nothing more important than singing the Name of God, which Matt does beautifully. His music creates a resonance with the Divine in his listeners. He has created a much loved new tradition at the Feathered Pipe Ranch by coming to sing bhajans with our yoga students. As yoga moves into national prominence our students want to broaden their experience and they love bringing Matthew's music into their movement and meditation. I wholeheartedly recommend Matthew's music to anyone who is seeking to broaden their spiritual practice." -India Supera Executive Director Feathered Pipe Foundation Helena, Montana "I've co-lead groups with Matthew for over 10 years and know he embodies our profound human potential for authentic sound. He is the rarest of leaders to consistently transport people into sacred places with natural ease and playfulness." -Greg Jahn Iyengar yoga instructor, Billings, Montana "Chanting, which is an integral part of the yoga practice, and singing, immediately opens you to your breath and connects you with divine energy. Matthew has a passion and deep understanding of this process and he shares it with such open hearted enthusiasm that the groups he leads go very quickly to the source. He allows the feelings of nervousness and fear to arise and then be brushed aside as the energy of engagement and sheer joy take over. It is a divine and powerful experience and people who have never chanted before leave the classes glowing and alive.." -Lauren Walker Director and Yoga instructor Satsang Yoga Center Whitefish Montana "Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Matthew and Nathan (of Drum Brothers) for an outstanding and transforming evening of music and chanting at the Kelowna Yoga House. The feedback from the eighty plus people who attended has been nothing short of sensational and all want to know how soon we can do this again. Thank you for sharing with us the talent and the love that the two of you bring to your music." -Sheryl Theessen, Kelowna Yoga House Society BIO: Matthew Marsolek has received awards of excellence from the University of Montana for his musical work with theater and dance. He has studied East Indian and West African music for the past 12 years with a variety of teachers, including Mukesh Desai from India and Abdoul Doumbia from Mali, West Africa. Matthew has experience and training in jazz, classical, and Hindustani vocal technique and is also an accomplished jazz and classical guitarist. As a recording artist, he has released projects with Drum Brothers and Mandir as well as two solo recordings, the most recent entitled, "The Bhakti Road". A dedicated and charismatic educator, Matthew has a passion for rhythm, harmonic relationships, and the healing and community building potentials of music. He teaches classes and clinics in voice, rhythm, and hand drumming throughout the United States and in Canada. www.drumbrothers.com SELECTED PERFORMANCES: The Feathered Pipe Ranch - Helena, Montana (with Rodney Yee, John Schumacher, Patricia Walden, Eric Schiffmann, JJ Gormley, Shiva Rae, and workshop participants) The Kelowna Yoga House - Kelowna, BC The Naramate Center - Penticton, BC The Yoga Shala - Calgary, AB Yoga For Today - Edmonton, AB Life Center Therapies - Coeur d'Alene, WA Harmony Yoga - Spokane, WA FSG Yoga Center - Spokane, WA Moscow Yoga Center - Moscow, ID YogaMotion - Bozeman, MT Whitefish Yoga Center - Whitefish, MT Great Falls Yoga Studio - Great Falls, MT Yes!Yoga - Helena, MT Yoga Fitness Center - Missoula, MT Centered City Yoga - Salt Lake, UT Chi Yoga - Phoenix, AZ Sacred Rites - Flagstaff, AZ Yoga Oasis - Tucson, AZ Devi Yoga - Sedona, AZ