Album Notes

Based in San Diego and Los Angeles, California, Shaka Buku takes its stage moniker from a Japanese Buddhists term. The name loosely translates to the goal of the music: "To remove suffering and bring happiness to all people by awakening them to their inherent greatness." While such a lofty goal might prove daunting to most, Shaka Buku attacks it with single-minded fervor on new songs like "Set Yourself Free," "Good Times Here Today" and "Come Together", which showcase the melding of influences from reggae and house music, to hip-hop and acoustic blues, creating a uniquely Shaka Buku style. A renaissance man in the truest sense, Chad Nellis has spent 8 years developing the sound, message and grooves of Shaka Buku, interweaving his breadth of talents as a Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Author, Athlete, Yoga Teacher, Mentor, and NLP practitioner, to create something that reaches far beyond your typical music experience.

With contributions from producer musicians Pancho Tomaselli (WAR, Nelly Furtado, Chaka Kahn), JB Eckl (Santana, WAR, Ozomatli) and Sebastian Morton (Sting, The Killers, Mary J Blige) the album was fine tuned over a four-year period with the help some of the industries finest talent and according to Chad “marks a milestone in the world of mainstream music.” Says Chad, "I've incorporated all I've learned from the greatest masters of both music and personal empowerment on this album with the sole intention of creating a doorway for people to discover inner power and gain access to their biggest dreams. But this isn’t your typical meditation music, it moves, grooves and its radio friendly.”

With roots in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and surf from the Southern California shores, Shaka Buku music has taken on a soulful blend of reggae, dance, rock, soul and funk and hip-hop to create a truly unique and one of a kind style. Among the many masters Chad lists as highly influential to Shaka Buku music, he credits the simplicity and social consciousness of Bob Marley, the funk and groove of Stevie Wonder and the power and edge of Led Zeppelin.
The band has been touring throughout the United States for the last 7 years with two critically acclaimed albums “Good Vibrations” (2000) and “Reggae Rock Hop” (2003) both released on Empower Records. The band and its label Empower Records anticipate “Feel Different” to have an unprecedented impact in influencing both musicians and music lovers to reach for greater heights.