Album Notes

The heart of Africa can be heard in its rhythms. As percussionists, we find ourselves deeply connected to these rhythms as our spiritual path, and the means by which we receive and channel the healing powers of the drum.

For Traditional African peoples, music and their daily lives are completely united. Every song, chant, instrument, and dance includes spiritual significance, and is also linked to specific life activities, such as harvesting food, marriage, childbirth, resolving disagreements, and healing.

Shaman's Dream Music strives to re-create this union by celebrating life through Music, Dance, Art, and Sacred Ritual.

The inspiration behind "African Dream" is our deep respect and love for the raw beauty, rhythms, and healing powers of Africa. Out of the wide variety of music we produce and play, African music is the closest to our hearts, and we have studied these rhythms in Africa and taught them to Americans for many years. Jason Hann has also toured with many of the top virtuoso African musicians.

One of the drums used on this album is a very powerful healing drum from West Africa called the Djembe, which means "gather together." This project gathers together field recordings of tribal chants, nature, and animal sounds recorded by Craig Kohland during his 1996 trip to Kenya and Tanzania, blended with original songs and grooves created by Craig and Jason, as well as traditional songs sung by African artists from the Congo, Central Africa; and Benin and Senegal, West Africa.

"African Dream" is most of all a collection of musical prayers of love, gratitude, respect, and healing for Africa, our great motherland. It is our intent that this music bring peace and inspiration to everyone it touches, and that it will allow them to hear, feel, and enjoy some of the beauty and spirit of this incredible continent.

Craig and Jason.