Artist Bios

KAMAL

As a classical guitarist studying at the Robert Schuhmann Conservatory in Dusseldorf, Germany, Kamal soon felt constricted by the limitations of classical music. He took up bass guitar and played in a variety of jazz and rock bands, always aware that he had jet to develop his unique style and sound.

After years of band work, Kamal discovered in 1984 synthesisers and sequencers. His experiments excited him as he realised that he could develop complex instrumentation and arrangements using this new technology. The first album created like that, "Silhouette," was published with Nightingale Records and became an instant "New Age Classic." The music that followed this success, like all innovative art forms, is difficult to categorise. It is both dynamic and soothing, celebrative and reflective. It can however be divided into two broad styles. One is ranging from slow instrumental ballads to more lively, celebrating moods and world music. Most arrangements are with drums and percussion and are strongly melody oriented.

The other style is more quiet and meditative. It creates an atmosphere of relaxation and healing and has become well known with healers and therapists.

Highlights of Qualification

Successful producer of high quality recordings on CD
An established name as an artist with increasing sales figures
Main markets: Europe, Japan, Asia
Experienced sound engineer and producer
Multi instrumentalist

An Interview with Kamal

Kamal's Shamanic Healing entering the USA

Award winner Kamal, with over 250,000 CD sales to his credit, left his former record label and recorded a new healing album for New Earth Records. European release May 5th, USA release May 20th. Available through Music Design, White Swan, New Leaf and other selected distributors on CD + MC.

Kamal and Ghata of Byron Bay, Australia, visited the New Earth Records Boulder office in February. Kamal joined Jenna and Waduda to discuss the creation of his new release ‘Shamanic Healing'. Kamal has dedicated this album to his wife Ghata, who he calls “a Shaman and healer in her own right.” Ghata, who is a Reiki master, sings on the track entitled ‘Heart Initiation'.

Jenna: I understand you began your musical career as a classical guitarist. Has your style of musical expression changed much over the years?

Kamal: I studied classical guitar at the Robert Schumann Conservatory in Düsseldorf, Germany. When I felt the limitations of classical music, I began playing bass guitar in a variety of jazz and rock bands. In 1984. I discovered synthesizers and sequencers and realized that I could develop complex instrumentation and arrangements using this new technology.

Jenna: How would you describe the music you are creating today?

Kamal: This kind of music is difficult to categorize. It is both dynamic and soothing, celebrative and reflective. Most arrangements are with drums and percussion and have a strong melodic orientation.

Jenna: You had released 11 records with a major German label and won several music awards, including the Dolphin Award (Australian Entertainment Industry Association), before signing with New Earth Records. What prompted you to make this change?

Kamal: When my exclusive contract expired, I decided it was time to move on and find a new record label that would support my music in a way that is built on trust and commitment. I see potential for my music in the U.S. Market, which has hardly been touched by my former record company.

Jenna: How did ‘Shamanic Healing', your first album with New Earth Records, develop?

Kamal: It was actually quite magical. Bhikkhu, Waduda, Ghata and I were discussing our possibilities of our working together when we looked out the window and saw this double rainbow. We interpreted this as a sign and felt this amazing synergy.

Jenna: During the creation of this album, it sounds as if you had your own a kind of soul retrieval to gather dispersed energies. Is this how you decided on the title of the album?

Kamal: We wanted to give it a Shamanic feeling of ritual and healing; a certain space or atmosphere for change and magic to happen. During the recording process, I did a ritualistic burial and participated in a men's group.

Jenna : What was that like?

Kamal: I felt the burial was a kind of quest. It was going away from everything that is known and surrendering to this empty space. You dig a grave and the people who accompany you during the ritual bury you in the earth. It definitely realigns the energies and it brought me back on track and helped me to feel grounded and have more trust in what I'm doing. I did this right in the middle of the recording process.

Jenna: What about the men's gatherings?

Kamal: I participated in the men's gathering in the beginning and end stages of the recording. The gathering was called ‘The Grail' and it can best be described as a rite of passage. It is a group of men sitting in a circle sharing what is going on for them to focus on a purpose: What is the purpose of your life? What do you want to change or shed?

Jenna: Kamal, would you share some of the details of each of the tracks on ‘Shamanic Healing'?

Kamal: It was very important for me to find the right sequence of the pieces to create an energetic flow. With each musical expression I can feel the healing within me. People can resonate with that same frequency and it can heal that part in themselves which needs to be healed. The first piece is called: ‘Spirit Gathering' It is actually an Indian chant and the other prominent element in the song is the Ney flute. It is a very haunting invocation. The second piece is called: ‘Water Healing' because it creates an atmosphere of flowing, female energy. The Native American voice on this track gradually becomes a whisper which creates a very intimate feeling. It draws the listener in. The third piece ‘Vision of the Eagle' has this flurry energy of air. The instruments featured here are synthesizer and sitar; one can imagine a clear day with an eagle circling over the desert. For the fourth track ‘Heart Initiation' I invited a didgeridoo player, Dr. Didge Dolphin, who is actually an M.D. When you hear the piece it resonates here in the heart chakra. It has powerful, supralingual vocals and a strong vibrational quality. Ghata's voice is very sweet and innocent and complements my voice beautifully.‘Snake Medicine' features the monochord, which is like a tamboura, with 50 strings tuned to the same pitch, that creates a drone. It also features the santoor that creates a snakelike rhythm that represents transformation and shedding of old skin. ‘Dreamcatcher' features the bamboo flute and has a somber vibe. It's the final culmination. After one has completed a task that is very intense, there is often a sober feeling. The dreamcatcher captures these feelings and frees the psyche. The final piece, ‘Completion', is simply soothing ocean sounds recorded in Goa. It doesn't feed you any melody, it is just a peaceful environment.

*Shamanic Practitioners should note that this recording is not intended to induce the trance state necessary for journeying or soul retrieval. It is a soothing and heart-warming complement to ordinary states of consciousness.

Kamal

Discography:

Silhouette - Nightingale
Blue Dawn - Nightingale
Classics for Love - Nightingale
Mysterious Traveler - Nightingale
Quiet Earth - Dusk - Nightingale
Into Silence - Nightingale
Collection - Nightingale
Mistral - Nightingale
Quiet Earth II -Silent Morning - Nightingale
Reiki - Nightingale
Papillon - Nightingale

Chakra Breathing - New Earth
Shamanic Healing - New Earth
Mystery Road - New Earth

With other Artists

Heaven on Earth/ Prabodhi
True Stories/ Sangit Om
Moving Moments/ Luna
Secrets/ Suresha Hill
Jalalo
Priyo and Gypsy Moon
Wintersdream/ J.Amobi
Picnic on thin ice/ N.Feistle
Commentaries of the bamboos
Yes To the River
Shadow Of the Pines
In Wonder

Achievements

Over 250.000 units sold
Titles published on more than 350.000 compilations and samplers
Main markets: Europe, Asia, Japan

Music Awards
Dolphin Awards of the Australian Entertainment Industry Association

• 1995 Best Production (Wintersdream)
• 1995 Best World Music (Mosamba)
• 1995 Producer of Best Male Vocal (Mission)
• 1995 Finalist for Best Song of the Year (Wintersdream)
• 1997 Best Ambient-New Age Music (Papillon)
• 1998 Best Ambient-New Age Music (Shakuhaji Tales), Mystery Road
• 1999 Finalist for NAV Music Award Best Meditation-Healing Album (Shamanic Healing)

Professional Experience

• Owner of "Studio Services Pty.Ltd.", Australia (since 1995)
• A production company with recording studio
• Successful release of 11 original CD productions in the New Age market
• Complete production: composition, arrangement, recording, programming, engineering, mastering.
• Instruments played: keyboard, bass, guitar, percussion
  see discography next page
• Manager of the Nightingale Records" recording studio, Germany
• Operation of the recording facilities
• Maintenance and acquisition of equipment
• All sound engineering tasks
• Executive Producer for several Productions
• Heaven on Earth /True Stories /Moving Moments /Secrets /Gypsy Moon /Amobi / etc. (see next page)
• Video production of "Within a rainbowed sea" and Suresha Hill Sound engineer for Städtische Bühnen Bielefeld (Theatre and Opera)
• Management of sound system and equipment
• Operation of studio facilities
• Production of all sound effects and soundtracks for theatre and opera productions
• Stage sound and PA
• Musical coordination for selected productions

Kamal has just received the Award for Best New Age/Ambient Song with "Enchanted World" from Reiki Whale Song and Best Production/ Engineering with "Baby Baby" from Strange Pixels.