SOUL CONTACTMichael H. Cohen’s 2012 release, Soul Contact is an intoxicating musically inspired journey to the soul and beyond. Like his debut album, Om Dattatreya: Journey to the West (2009), Cohen’s second CD Soul Contact (2012) was created with Grammy Award winning producer Jeff Ciampa and has received critical acclaim by prominent U.S. yoga practitioners and media.Soul Contact was created during a two-year period where Cohen toured North America and travelled to the Southern Indian holy sites of Penukonda, Shirdi and Tirupati.  According to Cohen, “The music creates a channel to the energy of these sacred power spots of India, allowing listeners to access the Love, Freedom and Aliveness of Dattatreya Kirtan. Soul Contact is pure devotional groove integrating unforgettable and unique, mysterious, techno- enhanced mantras with Eastern spirituality.” According to Yoga Chicago Magazine, “Soul Contact moves from ancient incantation, straight to the energy of the modern world.”TRACKS1Sai Isha Sharanam (Dance of Ganesh)2Uma Parvati3Shirdi Sai4Shakti Gayatri5Om Sai Shree Sai6Jaya Radhe7Om Narayana8Om Sai Guru Dev9Twameva Mata/Lokha SamastaAll music composed by Michael H. Cohen © 2006-12 Shiva Datta Music, LLC (BMI). SOUL CONTACT  -  MICHAEL H. COHENMUSICIANSMichael H. Cohen – lead vocals, harmoniumJoni Allen – featured vocals (6, 8), choir vocals (1, 2, 3, 5)Jim Ed Cobbs – percussion (1, 5)Jim Feist – tablas (2, 4). On web at www.classicaltabla.comKris Keith – flutes (1, 3, 4), soprano saxophone (1, 7)Kevin Oliver – guitar (1, 3, 7)Allie Stringer – featured vocals (2, 3, 4, 7, 9), choir vocals (1, 5, 6)Jeff Ciampa – all other instruments and programmingPRODUCTIONRecorded, mixed and produced by Jeff Ciampa at Studio OrangeMastered by Brian Lucey at Magic Garden MasteringMicrophone support from Rob GriffinArt direction and graphic design by Stacey HubertPhoto of Shirda Sai Baba shot by Philip Lipetz in Shirdi, IndiaGroup photo by Kaity Fuja - Harmonium photo by Brandon Jones ABOUT SOUL CONTACTCrafted during a two-year Kirtan tour across North America, this music was profoundly influenced by Michael H. Cohen’s travels to Southern Indian holy sites in Penukonda, Shirdi and Tirupati. The music creates a channel to the energy of these sacred power spots, allowing one to access the Love, Freedom and Aliveness of Dattatreya Kirtan. Produced by Grammy Award winner Jeff Ciampa and featuring dynamic vocalists Joni Allen and Allie Stringer, Soul Contact integrates ancient Eastern spirituality with funky Western musical grooves. Each track is an invitation to sing, dance, clap and play with Divine Energy within a contemporary Western context. Soul Contact is an intoxicating journey to the soul and beyond. ABOUT THE MUSIC1. SAI ISHA SHARANAM (DANCE OF GANESH)Ganesha Sharanam, Sharanam GaneshGum Gum Ganapateyei NamahaSai Isha Sharanam, Sharanam GaneshaGum Gum Ganapateyei NamahaNamaha Namaha, Gum Gum Ganapateyei NamahaSurrender your burdens and obstacles in the refuge offered by Ganesh and the great Indian saint Shirdi Sai Baba.  2. UMA PARVATIDurga, Durga Kali MaDurga, Durga Jaya MaUma Parvati Ananda MahiOm Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-eeInvoke the protection and bliss of the Divine Mother. Bathe in the Grace of Shirdi Sai Baba.  3. SHIRDI SAIShradda Saburi AvohumOm Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-eeMaha Vaytala Brahma Putra AvohumShradda and Saburi… practice and patience. Vaytala (son of Brahma, the Creator) provides energy for creative responses to the illusions and challenges present of the manifest world.   4. SHAKTI GAYATRIOm, Om, OmAieem, Aieem, AieemKleem, Kleem, KleemSaum, Saum, SaumOm Bhur Suu-vahaTat Sa-vee-tur Var-ayn-yamBhargo De-vaas-ya Di-mahiDhi-yo-yo Na-ha Pracho-da-yatThe ancient sage Vishwamitra created the goddess Gayatri so She could manifest what he needed in his life. This mantra connects you to the creative power of the Divine Mother, essential to changing the circumstances of your life. 5. OM SAI SHREE SAIOm Namah ShivayaOm Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-eeDattatreyaUpon leaving his body, Shirdi Sai Baba released a potent mantra for receiving refuge, guidance and love through his energy – Om Sai Shree Sai Jay Jay Sai-ee.  6. JAYA RADHEJaya RadheGovinda GopalaVictory (Jaya) to the Divine Feminine in the form of Radhe, consort of Lord Krisha. Her sorrow reflects the mood of our current world-era, the Kali Yuga (Age of Darkness).   7. OM NARAYANAOm Narayana VasudevayaShree Devi, LaxmiBhudevi, BalajiShanti PremaSaraswatiOm Aieem Kleem ShreemMaha LaxmiLord Balaji abides in Tirumala Temple in Tirupati, India where he and his wives, Bhudevi and Laxmi, offer love, peace and prosperity to the multitudes of pilgrims who seek their blessings.  8. OM SAI GURU DEVOm Sai Guru Dev Namoh NamahSadguru Sai-ee Namoh NamahMere Guru Dev Namah NamahPraise to the blessed guru who shines Divine Truth, Purpose, Love and Peace into our lives. 9. TWAMEVA MATA/LOKHA SAMASTATwameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva,Twameva Bandhu Cha Saka Twameva,Twameva Vidya Dravenam Twameva,Twameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva.You are mother, father, brother and friend.You are all wealth and wisdom. You are my all in all, lord of lords supreme.   Lokha Samasta Sukinoh BhuvantuOm Shanti, Shanti, ShantiMay all beings everywhere be happy and free. Peace, peace, peace. These lullabies seal the energy of our Kirtan practice in our hearts. May we bring this Love, Freedom and Healing Energy into our lives to serve our self and others.