Thumbs Up for New Dalien aka 13Hands CD Release

After attending the 13Hands concert at AquarianYoga Center last month, I was inspired to listen to more music by this versatile, Montclair-based musician, so I pre-ordered his new album (which is now just out) called Thumbs Up High Five: A Collection of Socially Conscious Songs and World Chant Explorations. The accompanying YouTube videos are also out this week, and you won’t want to miss any of them. 

Dalien is truly a local treasure, but his talent is hardly a secret—folks in Montclair, in the tri-state area and online are fond of this multi-talented artist/Grammy nominee, who teaches yoga at Montclair State and locally, as well as working with survivors of trauma dealing with PTSD from domestic violence and other intense situations… all while maintaining a career as a creative songwriter, respected world musican/kirtan wallah and musician.

But back to the CD, which I believe you’ll really love. It includes a rockin’ version of “Thumbs Up High Five” (the title track), which is a commentary on today’s pop music, radio stations and the state of the music business. Dalien’s lyrics are to the point: “I don’t want to hear songs by guys who like to hit girls. There’s better quality humans that have music to be heard.” Within the piece he names some of the all time greats from the past—Crosby, Stills & Nash, the Doors, Pearl Jam, Diana Ross, etc. —and asks all of us the question, “Can music be saved?” In the spirit of such socially conscious musicians as Dylan and Pete Seeger, Dalien’s new album isn’t timid and doesn’t mince words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHhzuO9NX0M

A versatile instrumentalist with a strong and resonant voice, he asks in track two “Do You (Love the World)?” I love this track because of its positivity and message that “Love can set you free from all your pain.” It’s really a commentary on how much love we are willing to let into our lives and how much love we are willing to offer: “Do you live to give or to take away?” As always, this artist makes us more than just listen; he inspires us to look at ourselves.

“Wolverine” is next—this funny, off the wall piece is a tribute to Hugh Jackman (he played Wolverine in the XMen movies and is also said to be one of the “hottest” men around). But here, Dalien is appealing to the beloved, comic book super hero Wolverine (who's been mutated himself) for help in fighting GMOs and Monsanto. “Can you help rid the earth of GMO seeds? I reserve the right to decide who mutates me.” With the fight against GMOs and labeling really heating up, this is a timely as well as clever piece that he states, “came completely out of left field back in January of this year.”

“Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady” is a commentary on Chris Brown and violence against women. Again, he challenges Chris Brown (and others with this issue) to look inward and commit to changing their life and bettering themselves. 

“Hollow” is next (Dalien's favorite track on the CD). I can see why he favors it; this haunting piece looks at our social media addiction, and again questions what we’re gaining with so much Facebook, Twitter, Instagram use, etc. Are we really connecting—or disconnecting-- from others with all this stuff? This is a great track to share with your kids (I shared with my twenty-two-year-old son and he totally agreed). It reminds us to make our lives real, to be aware, and to believe in ourselves, not in what others think of us, or perceive us to be on a shallow level.

For those of you who might be new to Kirtan, (a form of call and response devotional music originating in India) open your mind and heart because you’re in for a treat. Next up on this new album are a few extraordinary world chant pieces. “Sita Ram” is a sacred chant that honors Lord Ram and his beloved wife, Sita, a chant of love and pure devotion. Dalien calls chanting a form of “spiritual karaoke” so be sure to join in and sing along in your car, meditate to it, teach yoga to it…sky’s the limit. (No worries if mantra’s not your bag, but I doubt you’ll be able to keep yourself from singing and chanting along…the melodies are accessible, beautiful and inviting). 

In the sacred chant genre, I can’t think of anything more beautiful than his version of  “Namah Shivya (Healing).” This is a simple melodic voice and acoustic guitar arrangement, and in part that is why I love it so much. The thing is, Dalien (though he plays 21 instruments) doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles. His voice and guitar playing alone are so honest and lovely that nothing more is needed. Simple eloquence. Less is more. Dalien is authentic and direct; when his voice fills with yearning for the divine, there’s nothing quite like it.

Sacred chant lovers will also enjoy his versions of the “Tryambakum (Spirit)” and “Niralambaya Upanishad  (Rebirth)”—the former arrangement includes voice and vibe drum (steel pan drum) and the latter is voice and Hang Drum. Kirtan and/or world chant music can be incredibly relaxing; so get ready to breathe, close your eyes, and just be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m82iQvKAUP4

The album closes with five additional versions of “Thumbs Up High Five”: Soul Groove with Horns, Acoustic Neo Soul, Swamp Rock, Folk, and “Clubby Wubby.” As Dalien explains, he just wanted to let this song take him where it wanted to go—and it turned out to be all over the place… in a good way. It’s a lot of fun to hear the different versions, revealing once again how Dalien seems to be able to pull off just about anything!

“Give me something real, enough of this jive” is my favorite line in the title song (btw, Dalien’s lyrics are fantastic; another of his wide-ranging talents). This 13 HANDS album is the real thing; check it out and you’ll see what I mean!

The album is available in a 17 track version at http://13hands.bandcamp.com

It will be worldwide with 14 tracks at iTunes and other digital outlets at the end of July 2013 and more exclusive content in store if you purchase from bandcamp. To learn more about 13 HANDS and his various work and offerings in yoga, mind, body,  health education along with music, chant and his various therapeutic endeavors go to http://13hands.com.