by Robert Phoenix
Tony, Tony, Tone! Self-help guru Anthony Robbins has added another title to his list of change-agent credentials — that of music producer. Well, in actuality, it’s really co-producer as he and his wife Sage had an active role in choosing both the music and the musicians on Sacred Blessings, their contribution to the world of yoga and meditation soundtracks. It’s a sort of compilation, sort of original production with tracks licensed from White Swan and Kosmic Music and some original material actually produced by Sage Robbins. It features some of the finest musicians on the sacred music scene including Maneesh De Moor. Deva Premal, Miten, Ben Leinbach and others.

But the question must be asked: Is it any good? The answer is “yes” mostly due in part to the inclusion of the fine talents of De Moor, Premal and the rest. In fact, Premal sounds astoundingly good on the deeply meditative “Invocation.”

Just as the new millennium broke, the extremely popular Buddha Bar series wafted into lounges, chill out rooms, and upscale sushi restaurants the world over. It spawned a genre onto itself. The sacred music scene is moving in the same direction and attaching names like Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and in this case, Anthony Robbins to the productions, which are as much exercises in marketing as “manifestations of taste” and “gate keeping,” or the extension of their knowledge into music and media.

Digging deeper into the liner notes however, it becomes clear that the real creative voice behind Sacred Blessings is Sage Bonnie-Pearl Robbins. She has two production credits on the record and even showcases her voice quite nicely on “I Love You Lord” an acapella vocal arrangement that is almost gospel when compared to the Hindi inspired tracks that precede it. Is this merely a vanity project for Sage Robbins? Perhaps, but in its best moments, it’s vanity transformed into longing, devotion and even bliss. It’s also ripe for remixing as I could easily hear the gentle pulse of warm, electronic beats taking the love to the next level. A remixed version of Sacred Blessings could become the rhythmic score to deep Tantric delight and the cosmic connection between bodies and spirits.

But whether you share this with a beloved or enjoy it by yourself, the music has the power to reflect the divine within and without. In the end, there is only One.