Instrumental New Age Review: Shambhu-Life Passage

Release Date: September 29, 2022

Label:  ‎Sacred Love Music

Website

Life Passage will be my fifth journey into the world of Shambhu (pronounced 'SHOHM-boo') and his gorgeous acoustic guitar compositions. What strikes me right away is the significance of the recording's title and the cover image. With that already creating an immediate impact, I found it easy, as usual, to melt into this music.

The artist's website states: Shambhu transforms stillness and silence into calming sounds. That statement puts his music in a proper point of view. He is a respected guitarist that emanates magic from those fingers. 

As you find yourself floating on the clouds while listening to Life Passage, it goes by very quickly, as life itself does (total correlation). Five tracks would be considered an EP by industry standards. Although true, it will be irrelevant because of the simple beauty offered throughout these tracks. The timeline of each composition is from 3:47 to 6:24, so what you get is everything that this artist can give. Once the music stops playing, you will realize that it is accurate and find great joy and satisfaction while listening.

"Mars Dawn" has a mesmerizing effect. It is a soundscape you want to hear multiple times, and if there is one track that hits the mark more than any, it's this one. It is beauty and compassion personified that transforms into a spiritual journey.

The title track is a lovely tribute to the late Chick Corea. It is nice to see so many artists remembering him and his importance to music and the legacy he left behind. And I must mention the lead-off track "Because of You," featuring the amazing Michael Manring on bass. His sound is so significant, and you recognize him when he is on any track. He is one of the greats and reminds me fondly of Erik Scott (rest his soul), whom I had the pleasure of knowing and enjoying for many years. 

"Gentle Flower" starts with a nice piano, and then that fantastic acoustic guitar arrives; as the piano continues to accompany the guitar, you feel that musical nirvana has come again. Then his name, "Shambhu," is the title of the track that concludes another exceptional release. It has a definitive world sound featuring Indian percussion and flute. It is the perfect way to end the album.

Life Passage is a superb example of acoustic guitar playing with suitable mixtures of other instruments to support the primary device of joy and light and accentuate how lovely it can be if appropriately presented. As always, Shambhu does not disappoint.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

September 29, 2022

Tracks:

1. Because of You (featuring Michael Manring) 6:24

2. Gentle Flower 4:02

3. Life Passage (dedicated to Chick Corea) 3:47

4. Mars Dawn 5:33

5. Shambhu 5:51