Album Notes

Luna Mantra is jam-packed with likeable songs that skillfully balance catchy melodic hooks without going overboard with an overuse of technicality merely to impress other musicians. This is not a CD that has one or two songs that EVERYBODY unanimously agrees are the best. The fact that ALL 11 tracks are mentioned when people talk about their “favorite song” on the album makes Luna Mantra extra special.

This album features real-live humans playing ALL acoustic instruments; despite the fact that we live in a cut and paste technological world full of pre-programmed machines. The guitarist and founder of Acoustic Jungle, Ryan Waguespack, allows plenty of room to let all the musicians be an integral part of the over-all sound. Ryan is equally skilled as a percussionist and unlike many albums of this genre, he chooses to not have it be just about the guitar. Ryan’s guitar melodies receive a tremendous hand from Greg Bumgardner on the double bass. Greg does not just shadow or follow the guitar lines, but instead dances around between creating counter melodies and establishing a tight groove with the drums.

How do you classify Luna Mantra? Some say it reminds them of basking care-free in the tropics on a beautiful beach. With song titles like “Coconut Oil”, “Sandcastle”, and “Caribbean Cowgirl” how could it not? Some cry when they learn that the song “Soldier” was written about the early death of an ex war-veteran who was Ryan’s closest musical companion. Others thankfully and appreciatively smile and reflect on nature as “Gone Fishin’” reminds them of the tranquility and beauty of sunrise on a river; while “Rising Water” focuses on the destruction and uncontrollable wrath of natural forces when this same river overflows its banks by 30 feet. As far as the track “Go Check The Meat”, umm, get in touch and we’ll let you know what that’s all about…...............