Posts tagged with "soul"

DONNA SUMMER

Today, Mercury/UMe releases a digital-only 40th-anniversary Deluxe Edition of Donna Summer’s all-time classic solo album, She Works Hard For The Money. Originally released June 13, 1983, when musical tastes were changing by the minute, She Works Hard For The Money sealed Summer as a creative multi-genre force to be reckoned with following her amazing string of chart-topping disco and dance hits that helped define the sound of the 1970s. The 13-track Deluxe Edition features the original 9-song She Works Hard For The Money album plus four bonus tracks consisting of two club mixes and two instrumental tracks (full track listing below). These bonus tracks have not previously been available for digital download or streaming. Listen to or purchase Donna Summer’s She Works Hard For The Money – Deluxe Edition HERE.

This special 40th-anniversary edition of She Works Hard For The Money coincides with Women’s History Month (March) and will kick off UMe’s multi-year celebration of what would have been Summer’s upcoming 75th birthday (New Year’s Eve, 2023). The deluxe edition album also complements the upcoming release of the HBO Original documentary Love To Love You, Donna Summer. The forthcoming documentary is directed by Oscar® and Emmy®-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams (“Life Animated,” HBO’s “The Apollo”) and Brooklyn Sudano, daughter of Donna Summer. The film offers a deeply personal portrait of Summer on and off the stage, featuring a wealth of photographs and never-before-seen home video footage – often shot by Summer herself – and provides a rich window into the surprising range of her artistry, from songwriting to painting, while exploring the highs and lows of a life lived on the global stage. Love To Love You, Donna Summer premiered internationally last month at the Berlinale (The Berlin Film Festival) and will premiere in the US at SXSW on March 11 before the film officially debuts on HBO/HBO Max in May 2023.

She Works Hard For The Money saw Summer re-establish her roots as an artist equally adept at pop, rock, soul, R&B, dance, and gospel. The propulsive, empowering title track became an anthem for working women worldwide, buoyed in no small part by its popular music video featuring Summer as a tireless diner waitress. That video makes its official debut on video platforms worldwide today, remastered and better than ever. Watch the newly remastered video for “She Works Hard For The Money”.

Meanwhile, the reggae-tinged hit single “Unconditional Love” showcased Summer singing along with featured guests Musical Youth, the young British/Jamaican vocal group best known for their 1982 international No. 1 hit, “Pass The Dutchie.” On the touching ballad, “Love Has A Mind Of Its Own,” Summer dueted with noted gospel singer Matthew Ward.

Produced and arranged by Michael Omartian (Whitney Houston, Christopher Cross), She Works Hard For The Money was recorded in a trio of locations in California, including Lion Share Recording in Los Angeles, Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, and Rhema Studio in Beverly Hills. For her part, Summer wrote or co-wrote all nine tracks on the core album, most of them with Omartian.

She Works Hard For The Money has been certified gold by the RIAA. The album peaked at No. 9 on the US Billboard 200 and reached the Top 10 in Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands. The title track and aforementioned lead single, “She Works Hard For The Money,” was an international Top 10 smash hit and made an incredible chart impact upon its release in the United States, ultimately reaching No. 1 on the US R&B chart, No. 3 on the Hot 100, and No. 3 on US Club Play. The album’s next single, “Unconditional Love,” climbed to No. 9 on US R&B and No. 43 on the Hot 100, and it also reached No. 14 on the UK Singles chart. The album’s other two singles were “Stop, Look And Listen” and “Love Has A Mind Of Its Own.”

“She Works Hard For The Money” garnered Summer a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, while “He’s A Rebel” won her a GRAMMY® for Best Inspirational Performance. In addition, fans of the worldwide-popular Netflix series Stranger Things will recognize “I Do Believe (I Fell In Love)” from its prominent use in the series in 2017.

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Francesco Yates

Francesco Yates is a 26-year-old Canadian singer/songwriter. His music effortlessly blends the pop sound with nuances of R&B and soul. 360 Magazine’s Vaughn Lowery had the chance to sit down with Francesco and chat about his early beginnings in the music industry, and what’s to come for his career.

Listen to Francesco Yates on the 360 MAG Podcast HERE.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Francesco draws his early inspiration from the iconic movie School of Rock. At age 11, the film felt like a dream to him, one that he knew he was going to chase after. Being surrounded by differing music that his parents would play throughout his childhood, too, influenced his artistry.

Francesco recalled hearing his dad listen to “Brown Sugar” by D’Angelo, and other artists like Bob Marley and Led Zeppelin. Being introduced to a diverse palette of performers gave Francesco the opportunity to play and experiment with his own music. “I never felt boxed in, y’know,” he stated.

Having a more classical musical background, Francesco also learned to play the piano at a young age. He still accredits his experience with the piano as a major shaping factor for his career. Incorporating his self-proclaimed “piano chops” into music production, this allowed Francesco to experiment with his sound. With the piano being the initial instrument, he was trained in, he loves to create music with the keys.

At just 16-years-old, Francesco landed a record deal with Atlantic Records, something that he never saw happening. He remembers the feelings that he felt when signing over, stating, “I felt like a deer in headlights.” He made sure to soak learn everything he could during the experience, asserting that “the lessons I learned are invaluable.”

Francesco’s debut EP was released in 2015 while being co-produced by Robin Hannibal and Pharrell Williams. The opportunity to work with such legendary artists is one that he surely did not take lightly. Francesco remembered Williams vision that he had for him, always offering up this one piece of advice. He recalled Williams stating, “the only thing you gotta do is play guitar and chew bubblegum and not look at the audience, that’s what you gotta do,” referring to Francesco’s effortless self-assurance.

Francesco’s latest track, entitled “JIMI” combines his natural imaginative flow with a seemingly pop/R&B/rock feel. He recollected on the writing process for the track, and how the lyrics nearly popped into his head instantly. Using the beloved piano to advance the writing process, “JIMI” hints to Francesco’s laid back, modern vibes

The track carries a feel-good, upbeat aura throughout. The chorus is met by Francesco’s uplifting, impressive voice when he sings out to a lover, “I think I love you, baby, like I love my guitar.”

Modernly as an independent artist, Francesco’s excited for what the future holds next. He hopes to continue to grow and build his own imprint, his own record label. When discussing his number one goal to achieve in the next few years, Francesco communicated that he would love to play theater tours consistently. He’s not driven by the metrics and streaming numbers that he could generate, but more motivated by his passion for his craft. Francesco simply wants to “just be happy and be living.”

We’ll see Francesco join the Backstreet Boys on their North American tour stops in Canada beginning July 24. Opening up for such an iconic group comes as nothing new to Francesco, as he’s opened up for other popular artists like Justin Timberlake in the past. Being able to have opportunities to open for incredible artists has ultimately shaped the way that Francesco works, always striving to learn from other musicians.

Listen to JIMI

Watch JIMI

Article by: McKinley Franklin x Vaughn Lowery

Ty Dolla $ign × Capella Grey – OT

Bronx singer-songwriter Capella Grey returns with OT a breezily stylish new single laced with West Coast funk and guest vocals from the one and only Ty Dolla $ign. OT (slang for “out of town”) evokes positive vibes and the carefree lifestyle of an eligible bachelor – a fitting release for the beginning of summer. Accompanied by a luxurious, sun-drenched new video set in Cali, OT evokes positive vibes and the carefree lifestyle of an eligible bachelor – a fitting release for the beginning of summer.

Leading things off is Capella, who slides into the bouncy bass as he lets loose a credo for all the ballers without borders: “Why would I take a shorty OT? / There’s already shorties OT / Why would I bring sand to the beach / When they’re all on me and they’re all OD? ” For his part, Ty opens with a quippy rhetorical question about why he’d ever bring a baddie to Tulum. After all, they all go to Tulum. Playful and effortlessly stylish, OT emits energy and sunshine.

OT only continues a lengthy winning streak for Capella, who’s become one of New York’s fastest-rising stars over the last year. Pairing a flexible voice with an equally malleable style, the Capitol Music Group signee has captivated fans with a nostalgic, shape-shifting mix of R&B, dancehall, and soul. Last year, his breakout single, “Gyalis,” peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and, to date, the track has earned over 55 million Spotify streams. Combining sensuous vocals with a feature from Nija, he continued building momentum with “Confujawn,” a thoughtful rumination on a struggling relationship. With OT at his back and summer just ahead, Capella is all set to make the rest of 2022 his biggest year yet.

Amanda Reifer – Crazy

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Positioning herself for a major breakthrough, bold and buzzing Bajan singer and songwriter Amanda Reifer reveals her new single “Crazy” today.

Listen to “Crazy” HERE

Bright keys underpin the bouncy production of the track as her voice sails over a head-nodding groove on a hypnotic island-inflected refrain. The song showcases yet another side of this dynamic force of nature, breaking boundaries between borders and genres along the way.

It paves the way for more music to come from Amanda Reifer very soon. It’s about to be a “crazy” year for her…

“Crazy” arrives on the heels of her most recent release “Bag.” In addition to turning heads with its sexy, slick, and cinematic music video, it incited widespread tastemaker applause. Wonderland hailed it as “empowering and attitude-filled,” and LA Weekly dubbed it “a vibrant, strong anthem.” Meanwhile, Nylon touted her among “17 Under-the-Radar Black Musicians to Know Right Now” and praised “Bag” as “an airy, dance-y track with a tropical twist about getting green that highlights her clarifying vocals.”

Last year, audiences fell under her spell when she stirred up the single “Rich Bitch Juice,” cracking over 1 million streams and attracting a growing fan base. Sending shockwaves through the game, she caught the attention of TITLE 9, who signed her through a partnership with Republic. Now, she’s cooking up more music to be released soon. She’s primed for a massive 2022!

About Amanda Reifer

Music moves like colors, swirling in and out of different shades and styles. Amanda Reifer emerges out of a similar kaleidoscope of pop, R&B, Caribbean, soul, hip-hop, and reggae hues. The Barbados-born singer and songwriter does everything as vibrantly as possible, projecting her voice and presence with power and passion in equal measure. Growing up in the Caribbean, she initially made waves as the frontwoman for Cover Drive. After gaining traction online, the group flourished across the pond in the UK, notching three Top 10 hits in the UK and landing a #1 with “Twilight.” During 2018, she followed her internal creative compass towards a signature solo style of her own. After dropping her solo debut “Girl Like Me,” she put up numbers with “Ransom” and “Bang Bang.” However, “Rich Bitch Juice” exploded in 2020. As she graced Spotify playlists such as “Leo,” it clocked over 1 million total streams and caught the attention of TITLE 9 who signed her through a partnership with Republic Records. Now, she asserts herself as a dynamic and diverse international disruptor.

Amanda Reifer artist image in the desert via Naomi Christie for use by 360 Magazine — *Photo Credits Naomi Christie*

Kur – The Hold Over

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Drumming up palpable buzz, rising Philadelphia force of nature Kur revealed a new bundle of songs entitled The Hold Over via Meek Mill‘s DreamChasers and Roc Nation/Republic Records. Listen to The Hold Over—HERE.

To celebrate the project’s arrival, he shared the music video for the new single, “For My Fam.” Watch it HERE. The intense production matches his energetic rhymes as he declares, “I done got so many scars, but I’m grateful.” He instantly captivates with bold bars and a hard-hitting hook. The visual seamlessly translates this spirit to the screen and illuminates his star power.

He bulldozed a path for The Hold Over with “Road to the Riches” last month. It arrived to garner critical acclaim. HotNewHipHop described him as a “talented lyricist,” and Essence highlighted it among “New Music This Week.” The project also boasts previously released “Sheist,” “Let’s Talk,” and “Play It Cool.”

Next up, he’ll deliver a hometown performance at the Roots Picnic on June 4th.As the story goes, Kur first cut his teeth by leaving the competition speechless during lunchtime cyphers at W.B. Saul High School. Projects such as the Straight From The Kur mixtape and Upside Down Cake EP (where he murdered the beat for Drake‘s “Poundcake“) led to the biggest hometown endorsement possible. Meek Mill shared lyrics from “33 Shots” on Twitter as Kur went on to participate in the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards cypher with Sam Black, Ms. Jade, Dave East and Young M.A. Around the same time, he joined forces with New York phenomenon Dave East for the EP, Born Broke, Die Rich.

2019 saw him approach critical mass. His project Shakur spawned the infectious “Crack” and powerful “Soul” [feat. Mozzy], eclipsing 10 million cumulative global streams. On its heels, “Spare Me” vaulted to #14 on the Apple Music Hip-Hop and Rap Chart and #20 on the All Genres Chart. This prompted Meek Mill to proclaim Kur as “the soul of Philly”. Signed to DreamChasers in partnership with Roc Nation and Republic, the 2021 LP It Shouldn’t Be Like This elevated his total streams past 77 million.

CeeLo Green Tour

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Grammy artist CeeLo Green also known as the “Soul Machine” is announcing today his upcoming James Brown Tribute Tour entitled “Soul Brotha #100” with his first date this Friday April 29th, 2022 in New Orleans at the Jazz & Heritage Festival. CeeLo will be honoring the legacy and musical genius of his idol James Brown with an unbelievable 75-minute set of 27 hit songs including classics like Superbad, I Feel Good, Man’s World, Sex Machine along with Green’s hits Forget You, Crazy, Bright Lights, Fool For You and many more familiar anthems.

“I’ve always felt deeply connected to James Brown on a musical level and beyond – He’s been a mentor, teacher and literally a godfather to me throughout my career and I remain humble as I embark upon this embodiment. I’ve been studying the era to perfect the show and also James Brown’s archive to make this moment authentic, and a real dedication to what he gave to us and every generation that follows. Together, let’s turn this into the ultimate experience and celebration of James Brown and real music all over,” states CeeLo Green.

More than just a concert, CeeLo Green has curated an elaborate wardrobe that reflects James Brown’s true extravagant style that is similar to Green’s statement looks. Additionally, CeeLo has carefully sifted through video footage from Brown’s estate and this very special video content will be threaded throughout this musical experience that CeeLo has been working on for over a year.

The idea for the tour came to life after CeeLo started spending extended time in Augusta, GA – the home of James Brown. He was asked by Paine College, a historical black university in Augusta, to be a visiting Professor of Music and Ambassador of International Arts & Culture. CeeLo teaches a class on-campus once a month, with a personalized approach, to educate students on the music industry at large and the history of music along with other related topics. His charitable efforts and time spent at Paine and in Augusta have been recognized and celebrated by James Brown’s family. Additionally, because of his new role at Paine among other efforts, CeeLo is receiving the “Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism” award on May 21st by the Global International Alliance University, a non-profit organization and international consortium of university lecturers and researchers whose aim it is to provide a collaborative platform for academic research, analysis and development and to explore leading practices, best practices as well as to develop missing practices.

Below is a full list of tour dates for “Soul Brotha #100” and please visit CeeLo Green’s various social media pages for updates, new announcements throughout the tour, and additional one-off performances that will be announced throughout the year.

Tennessee Music Pathways

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From Nashville to Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee is known for its music significance and contributions across the world. From the music legends of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton to the young music stars of today such as Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini, and Justin Timberlake, seven genres of music call Tennessee home–Country, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Blues, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Soul, and Gospel. The state’s rich musical heritage offers a musical oasis for all generations through a broad array of events, locations and stories that are all made uniquely in Tennessee.

Tennessee Music Pathways: The Tennessee Music Pathways connects visitors to the people, places and events that made Tennessee the international music mecca it has become. Throughout the 95 counties of the state, you can see legendary artists’ hometowns, famous music venues, museums dedicated to sharing this rich music history in interactive ways and much more. You can also travel the Ken Burns Country Music Pathway s featuring the locations spotlighted in Ken Burns’ documentary Country Music.

Tennessee Songwriters Week: Tennessee Songwriters Week (Feb. 20-26, 2022) supports music venues, generates awareness of songwriters’ contributions to Tennessee, paves the way for future artists and inspires travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues.

Explore the Historical Sites

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum: It was in 1927 in Northeast Tennessee where Ralph Peer conducted recording in which country music foundation artists, the Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers, were discovered. Johnny Cash would go on to say these sessions were “the single most important event in the history of country music,” and now guests can learn about these sessions and the story at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. Visit Bristol in September to attend the award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion where the roots of traditional Appalachian music are brought to life through talented musicians.

Ryman Auditorium: Head to Nashville to walk on the hallowed ground of the Ryman Auditorium as you tour this historical icon. The Mother Church was the original site of the Grand Ole Opry, “the show that made country music famous.” It is a culture engine for Nashville and continues to bring music and fans together for over 128 years through concerts and behind-the-scenes tours.

Graceland: Second only to the White House, Graceland is the most-visited residence in the country. Purchased by Elvis Presley in 1957, it was his home until his death 20 years later. In 1982, it opened to the public and more than 20 million people have visited since. In 2017, it expanded to include Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a 200,000-square-foot-square exhibition space, museum and automobile collection, all in Memphis, Tennessee.

Find more of Tennessee’s Music History Destinations HERE.

Feel the Sounds

The Caverns: They say bluegrass is mountain music, but sometimes you need to go down below. Descend more than 300 feet underground to a stone amphitheater in The Caverns, situated at the base of Monteagle Mountain near Pelham, where Bluegrass Underground has hosted countless music greats. Visitors to the Volunteer state will not want to miss the chance to get down in such an unforgettable place.

Bluebird Café: If you’re looking for the next Garth Brooks, take in a show at The Bluebird Café, a singer-songwriter haven in Nashville. The tiny venue always sells out, regardless who’s playing, so get tickets in advance or come early to wait in line to make sure you get a seat to one of the hottest writers’ rounds in Nashville. Afterwards, head to the Broadway Historic District: Honky Tonk Highway where visitors can hop around to the numerous famous bars where many music legends first got their start such as Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge where Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline and Waylon Jennings were all regular customers. Every year in June mark your calendars for CMA Music Festival where country music biggest, brightest and upcoming stars takeover downtown Nashville.

Beale Street Historic District: Declared by an act of Congress as “Home of Blues,” Beale Street in Memphis is a historic center for jazz, blues and rock enthusiasts. Here, relive some of the musical greats such as B.B. King and Louis Armstrong while exploring more than 25 bars, cubs and restaurants that line the district. Plan a trip this April 29- May 1 for the popular Beale Street Music Festival where the 2022 lineup is filled with some of the hottest stars including Foo Fighters, Van Morrison, Weezer, and many more.

Feel the Music Now Playing in Tennessee HERE.

Connect to the Music

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Learn about all the country music greats at the world’s largest music museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville. Walk through 350,000 square feet of galleries, educational centers, ever-changing exhibits and much more.

West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center: While in West Tennessee, make a trip to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center where you can find the home of Sleepy John Estes, and the one-room schoolhouse Tine Turner attended which now houses memorabilia including costumers, posters, videos and much more at the only Tina Turner museum in the world.

National Museum of African American Music: The first of its kind in the world, the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville celebrates and honors the vast music contributions of African Americans. Step inside to see interactive exhibits, videos, photos and more of famous artists from B.B. King to Beyonce, Fisk Jubilee Singers and Aretha Franklin. Learn about the history and music greats who birthed genres like R&B, jazz, blues and hip hop.

Stax Museum of American Soul: In Soulsville U.S.A, Memphis, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music presents the story of Stax, from early hits from music icons such as Booker T. & the MG’s and Isaac Hayes. Next door is Stax Music Academy, where students can learn about soul and tour the world playing it. Just around the corner from the museum is Royal Studios where current soul artists such as Bruno Mars cut their recent hits such as “Uptown Funk.”

Museum Center of 5ive Points: Cleveland is in the heart of the Ocoee Region, an area rich in traditional crafts and music. The Museum Center at 5ive Points in Cleveland’s Five Points neighborhood includes regional crafts on exhibit and for sale together with live music events and maintains a permanent exhibit called “The Red Back: America’s Best-Loved Hymnal.” These famous hymnal books and their signature red covers lived in the pew-back pockets of churches around the U.S. and were printed in Cleveland using a Linotype, which is also on display.

About Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll— delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Join other Tennessee travelers by following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

George O’Hanlon – How Are You Feeling

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Rising UK singer/songwriter George O’Hanlon makes his 2022 debut with his new single “How Are You Feeling?” available now via Harvest Records. Listen to “How Are You Feeling?” HERE.

The single finds inspiration from rock icons like Radiohead, Springsteen, Nirvana and Slowdive. Throughout the track, intricate guitar work combined with an uplifting chorus makes it one you’ll want to give a listen to. “How Are You Feeling” also comes as the introduction to George’s full touring band on a single.

As a songwriter, George is able to showcase his true talents in the single. He states, “The song is about how you find your path as a person, especially during your late teens early 20’s, and the ups-and-downs that come with that. To me it’s a really positive song about people finding their way.”

About George O’Hanlon

Gaining practice through performing in the college circuit, George O’Hanlon has been perfecting his craft for quite some time. Working on his music by performing and writing for the past few years, George launched his career in 2021 with his debut EP, The Storm. While his musical inspirations range from artists like Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke, George’s music has natural literary soul. He captives his fans by referencing his own life experiences, outlining them in new perceptions.

While rising as a budding talent in the UK music scene, George has gained affirmation from Abi McCarthy at BBC Introducing and Jack Saunders at Radio 1. You can find George typically performing at grassroots venues, while he toured the UK last September with his band. They traveled to small venues around the UK together. Noting the experience, George exclaimed, “We spent hours with four of us crammed in a car with all our gear. The tough bits are service stations at 3 in in the morning and things like that but playing the shows made it all worth it.”

You can catch George performing at his first US show at Austin’s South by Southwest Festival.

How an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Helped Me to Overcome PTSD

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By Beth Lauren, certified Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, founder of Sangha NYC and author of Reeling: Misadventures in Moviemaking, Money and Love

It can be challenging to assess how the mind contributes to a person’s overall physical health. Still, the mind-body connection is now widely accepted by Western medical traditions as it has been by Eastern medicine for centuries.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can occur in people who have experienced a traumatic event such as combat, a severe accident, or sexual assault. Studies have shown that the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD may also put a survivor in a constant state of stress and anxiety. It’s common knowledge that both put tremendous strain on a person’s body, increasing the risk for physical health problems including cardiovascular disease, asthma, chronic pain, sleep apnea, and a host of gastrointestinal disorders.

The mind and body work together in both harmony and disharmony. For years PTSD troubled my mind and continued its descent through my body, resulting in bouts of IBS, sleep apnea, and insomnia. PTSD was my enduring legacy as a rape survivor. I was just 12 years old at the time of my assault. I would be 46 when I first began to process this violent and painful experience that was too much for both my brain and body to handle for 34 years.

Five years later, I became an Ayurveda Wellness Counselor and adopted the daily routine, or dinacharya, an Ayurvedic lifestyle recommends practitioners follow. And now, at the age of 55, I’m experiencing the best mental and physical health of my life.

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system. Using a holistic approach, Ayurveda balances manas (mind), shareera (body), and atma (soul) for optimal health. The goal of practitioners is not merely to prevent and cure disease but to focus on optimizing physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Managing both mind and body together is the approach needed to treat symptoms of PTSD successfully.

Ayurveda also offers a personalized methodology that is well-suited for treating the individual needs of those who have PTSD. No one’s pain is the same. How trauma manifests in the body can be affected by climate, pre-existing health issues, age, genetics – so many factors.

An Ayurvedic way of living: diet, daily routine, yoga, and meditation

On my journey, I found that I wanted my body and soul to follow once my mind was free from suffering. I began by paying close attention to how my eating habits affected my mood, digestion, and weight. It wasn’t just what I put into my body, but when I ate—the time of day and my state of mind when I was eating contributed to my malfunctioning digestion. Emotional eating was an issue for me, as it is for so many survivors, especially women. How many television shows and movies have we all seen where the heroine soothes her broken heart with a pint of ice cream?

In Ayurveda, food is medicine, not a consolation prize. Choosing foods that are in harmony with the season, grown locally, and favor one’s dosha—the energetic force of nature that comprises one’s unique body constitution—is essential for following an Ayurvedic lifestyle. I also found that eating primarily hot cooked foods and adding warming spices such as turmeric, cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon nourished my body and brain.

The more I learned about what an Ayurvedic lifestyle could offer, the more it seemed intuitive. Simple adjustments such as having my largest meal for lunch instead of dinner made sense to me. Why wouldn’t I give my body as much waking time as possible to digest heavy foods?

Digestive strength is paramount in Ayurveda. Maintaining strong agni or digestive power supports the body’s immunity, and a robust immune system is essential for managing daily stressors. Digesting doesn’t just apply to nutrition. We are constantly digesting our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Healthy agni is key to a calm and peaceful state of mind, so all three don’t overwhelm us.

My daily practice includes 1-2 cups of Cumin, Coriander, Fennel (CCF) tea, a traditional Ayurvedic blend that supports digestion and gently detoxifies the liver. CCF’s calming and cooling qualities work well with all constitutions.

Several Ayurvedic herbs nourish and calm the brain and body, but the one I recommend as the most productive is ashwagandha.

A powerful herb in Ayurvedic healing, ashwagandha has been used in India for centuries for a wide variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, joint pain – the list is endless, and it includes some of the most common PTSD symptoms. In Ayurveda, specific herbs are adaptogens, which help the body cope with external stresses such as toxins in the environment and internal stresses such as anxiety and insomnia. Ashwagandha is one of them.

Yoga is so much more than a way to stretch and strengthen muscles. Daily practice can provide mental clarity and peace, providing a spiritual and psychological foundation for Ayurveda. It’s no mystery why certification as an Ayurveda Wellness Counselor includes a yoga module. For me, slow-paced yoga postures such as paschimottasana (seated forward bend pose) and matsyendrasana (half spinal twist pose) help to keep me calm and relaxed.

Given that the mind-body connection is fundamental to Ayurveda, it’s evident that meditation would be, like yoga, an integral component of its practice. Meditation helps us to attain awareness and harmony by experiencing inner calm and deep relaxation. While the violence I survived will always produce lingering feelings and thoughts resulting in anxiety, sadness, and eyes that fill with tears, all those emotions are less charged now. Those memories no longer imprison my body and brain. I can honestly write that a 5,000-year-old modality has been a massive part of my recovery, and for that, I am very grateful.

ABOUT BETH LAUREN

Beth Lauren spent over a decade in the film industry as a writer, producer, and director. She poignantly and humorously documents the devastating journey to produce her second feature in her memoir, Reeling: Misadventures in Moviemaking, Money, and Love. Beth wrote and produced the feature film, Fairytale of New York, which premiered at the New Filmmakers Series 2000 in NYC. She wrote, produced, and directed the short films: Immaculate Concoction and Getting Ned, in addition to co-producing and consulting on several plays and short films.

She is a certified Ayurveda Wellness Counselor and is the owner of Sangha NYC, where she offers virtual and in-person Ayurvedic counseling services and products. Sangha NYC enjoys a partnership with Nirogam, one of India’s largest and most trusted suppliers of Ayurvedic medicines. Beth is the Well-Tech World Summit organizer, which will take place in Dublin, Ireland, in March 2022.

Jon Baptiste Nominated for Eleven Grammys

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Internationally acclaimed musician Jon Batiste received 11 total 2022 Grammy Award nominations, making him the most nominated artist this year.

Batiste was nominated for the following Grammy Awards:

Best Traditional R&B Performance – “I Need You,” Jon Batiste
Best R&B Album – “We Are,” Jon Batiste
Best Improvised Jazz Solo – “Bigger Than Us,” Jon Batiste, solois
Best Jazz Instrumental Album – “Jazz Selections: Music From and Inspired by Soul,” Jon Batiste
Best American Roots Performance – “Cry,” Jon Batiste
Best American Roots Song – “Cry,” Jon Batiste and Steve McEwan, songwriters (Jon Batiste)
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media – “Soul,” Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, composers
Record Of The Year – “Freedom” Jon Batiste
Album of The Year – “We Are” Jon Batiste
Best Classical Instrumental Solo – BATISTE: MOVEMENT 11′ – Jon Batiste, composer (Jon Batiste)
Best Music Video – ‘Freedom’ Jon Batiste

Birthed during the first wave of the global pandemic and volatile social unrest, Batiste’s latest studio album, WE ARE, represents a body of work characterized by consciousness, rooted in catharsis, and grounded in optimism. The captivating album is a true love letter to Batiste’s southern roots and the heritage of Black music.

About Jon Batiste

One of the most prolific and versatile musicians of any generation, Jon Batiste has spent his career bringing music back to where it started—with the people. Jon was born in New Orleans into the legendary Batiste family, and later studied at the world-renowned Juilliard School in New York City. There, he established the Stay Human band which became famous for their musical virtuosity and their signature street performances called “love riots.” Batiste’s skills as a pianist, composer and bandleader quickly made him one of the country’s most sought-out collaborators and performers, with appearances that include the Grammys, Kennedy Center Honors, the US Open and the NBA All-Star Game.

In 2015, Jon was named bandleader and musical director of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS. In 2018, he received a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Performance and in 2020, he received two Grammy nods for albums he self-produced: Chronology of a Dream: Live at the Village Vanguard and Meditations (with Cory Wong). In 2020, Jon won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the Disney/Pixar film Soul, an honor he shared with fellow composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Jon’s work on Soul also earned him a Golden Globe, BAFTA, NAACP Image Award and a Critic’s Choice Award. Jon was the second black composer in history, after legendary jazz musician Herbie Hancock, to win an Academy Award for composition.

Jon’s latest studio album, WE ARE, was released in March 2021 to overwhelming critical acclaim. The versatility of the album which was envisioned by Batiste as he processed the tumultuous times of 2020, earned him praise by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard and more. The deluxe edition of the album, with six additional tracks, was released in October 2021. Batiste’s virtuoso composing skills will soon be showcased in his large-scale, genre-melding symphonic work “American Symphony,” set to premiere at Carnegie Hall in May 2022.