Review of "Laila Trance-Dance": "Talk about rockin' the casbah! "Laila Trance-Dance" starts with a traditional sacred Muslim chant and beautifully builds into a modern mix sure to entrance both supplicants on the floor of the mosque to profane revelers out on the dance floor. Call it a sublime sonic transcendence that's as spiritually rewarding as it is smart and chic." --Martin Keller, author of Music Legends: A Rewind of the Minnesota Music Scene (D Media). In the yellow box below, you can download a free music sample from Ecstatic Groove by clicking on the link "download MP3" to the right of the arrow.
Click below to download "Laila Trance-Dance Radio Remix" Sample Track from Ecstatic Groove: Sacred World Chant Infusions by Jennifer Salima Holt
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If you'd like to buy the CD, Ecstatic Groove: Sacred World Chant Infusions, click here: Buy Ecstatic Groove.
ABOUT ECSTATIC GROOVE:
Ecstatic Groove: Sacred World Chant Infusions (Salima's Whirled Peas, 2009) is a musical "sister project" to her book, Sacred Gateway of Grief and Loss: Freeing the Imprisoned Soul. The book and CD were inspired by her volunteer work in women's prisons leading grief and loss groups. While running these groups, the women joined her in singing sacred songs from many spiritual lineages; this musical project is dedicated to them. (And, ten percent of all net profits are being tithed to creative activities for women who are incarcerated.) The CD showcases haunting mystical chants from Sufi, Gregorian (Catholic), Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Native American, Hawaiian and African spiritual lineages. By infusing the sacred chants with techno and hip hop elements, new relevance is given to the devotional world music arena. With each song, Jennifer’s soulful, mysterious voice and ethereal harmonic toning deepen the connection to Source.
Martin Keller, music reviewer and author of Music Legends (D Media) says this:
"Who would have thought the long strange trip that the leader of a smart "all-girl" new wave band from Minneapolis in the '80s (Tetes Noires) embarked upon would include this immaculately realized mélange of select, sacred world music that reflects the spiritual songs and transcendent power of Muslim, Native American, Western, Eastern and other traditions? Jennifer Salima Holt, now a practicing "New Thought Muslim,” uses her grace-filled and mellifluent voice, plus simple but captivating contemporary arrangements, to create a collection of beautiful songs that lovingly expose the deep inner light of each faith journey. As a companion piece to her book, Sacred Gateway of Grief and Loss: Freeing the Imprisoned Soul (Indigo Heart Publishing, 2009) and a testament to her work with women in prison around the world (many for actions against strict and outmoded religious codes), Ecstatic Groove: Sacred World Chant Infusions, with Grammy-nominated Ben Leinbach co-producing, is a gorgeous illumination of the human spirit. But as a stand-alone album of global spiritual songs and chants, the disc will be a constant reminder of the joys and beauty that universal spirituality and innovative music making can bring to seekers and non-seekers alike."
Click here to read a music review of Ecstatic Chant from The Daily Om website.
Pictured above: Jennifer Salima Holt plays violin during "E Kala Mai" with back up singers Kerri Anne Lablang, Jenny Johnston, Katherine Woodward (unseen) and Pooki Lee, for thousands of spiritual seekers at the Agape International Spiritual Center, Los Angeles, California, August 9th, 2009.
MUSICAL JOURNEY OF JENNIFER SALIMA HOLT
As the leader of feminist "folk punk" band, Tetes Noires, Jennifer was instrumental in changing the face of women in music in the 80's. Her band's political, savvy message and tongue-in-cheek performance art approach opened doors for many acts coming up through the ranks, including The Indigo Girls, Melissa Ethridge and others. As a group of women who refused to assimilate or create a sexist image for popular consumption, the band was renowned and enjoyed critical acclaim from top media around the world including "All Things Considered" with Noah Adams on National Public Radio, The Village Voice, Spin Magazine, New York Times, LA Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, London's New Music Express, etc. Tetes Noires released three musical recordings including Clayfoot Gods (Rounder Records, 1987, produced by the Violent Femmes). Having left professional music for nearly two decades to establish her work as a leading edge clinician in healing trauma, Jennifer now returns to her roots as a musician, infusing her new musical offerings with direct transmission from holy paths of many spiritual lineages, with the CD, Ecstatic Groove: Sacred World Chant Infusions.
SOUND HEALER
Jennifer Salima Holt is also a professional vocal consultant and sound healer, specializing in personal transformation and healing through the voice and throat chakra. She provides workshops and teleseminars to teach others these skills, called Ecstatic Voice: Sacred Gateway of Sound Healing. She is also available for private consultations by contacting marketing@jennifersalimaholt.com.
