There's a moment, when you're intending to do something nobody's done before.
Mantras in roots reggae. Sanskrit on a roots reggae riddim. A vision I'd been carrying this idea around in my heart and mind for decades.
When I reached out to renowned reggae bassist Fully Fullwood of Soul Syndicate fame, I had no idea if he would be receptive. And if he heard about the project, whether he would even get what the hell I was talking about.
But he did. Really did. And he warmly invited me to come see him play and share the demo track my very generous friends had helped me record (next week’s story.)
I drove to where he was doing his “Reggae for a Reason” show to raise money for underprivileged youth. The band was incredible. And to my surprise it included another Soul Syndicate member, guitarist Tony Chin.
When they were playing instrumental sections, I overlaid mantra melodies and my body started vibrating intensely. It was coming alive, right then and there.
I was transfixed, hypnotized by this magical blend. And when the band took a break, I introduced myself to Fully. We went outside, talked for a while, and I gave him the demo of "Irie Om Namah Shivaya." The one that just came out today.
Fully took it home and reached out. “It’s nice, mon!” My face filled with heat. The way he talked about it was so heartening because it was clear that he got what I was intending to do — and resonated with it. He loved the idea of blending the spiritual mantras with the heart and soul of reggae, and loved that it was unique.
A Soul Syndicate legend saying Yes! was surreal. Decades of knowing I had to do this, and more certainly, knowing it had to be authentic roots reggae. And now, it was beginning to manifest.
"Irie Om Namah Shivaya" was the genesis track for the album — the first song to build the bridge between two sacred worlds — and it built that bridge the moment a Jamaican bass master decided that Sanskrit belonged on top of his groove.
Today, I get to share it with you. And if you check it out, do listen for Fully's bass underneath. That's the sound of Love moving in the world.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1aJgQJDQFGDwznzAieHm0m
🎧 Listen now on all platforms: https://found.ee/Irie-Om-Namah-Shivaya-Single
🎬 Watch the Official Art Video: https://youtu.be/wKM5w8GB-S8
P.S. — If you know anyone who practices mantra meditation, does kirtan, or loves roots reggae, send this their way. This project lives at the intersection of those worlds, and I’d love for it to reach as many wonderful people as possible.
Peace and harmony,
Bodhi