Philippo Franchini’s CD, Magic and Grace, touched me upon first listen. What I felt through the music was pure and simple: love. The acoustic strings, spare vocal tracking (provided by Donna DeLory), and easy pulses made for a relaxing experience. This music is rooted in Philippo’s study of Nada yoga, or the yoga of sound. Many of the melodies are quite simple and provoke deep reflection. I am really enjoying “Kama’s Spell,” which is written for the banjo. This combination mixes the American tradition we are now creating with the rooted mystical sounds of the East.
There is a classical feel to Magic and Grace. Philippo is active in LA’s yoga scene, performing with the improv tribal group, Shaman’s Dream, touring with the couple David Newman (Durga Das) and Mira, as well as playing his own music. He’s also quite proficient in the studio, having produced Mira’s fabulous country-twinged Kirtan record, Living Prayer. Magic and Grace is topnotch serene music.