Happy New Year, Alchemy Explorers!

The sixth webisode of Between the Notes is called "Toning". 2012 promises to bring in an exciting and dynamic period, so let’s prepare ourselves to adapt and harmonize with the changing frequencies of our global and personal realities. Toning can help us attune ourselves and maintain balance in these times. This profound and simple practice has been used for millennia and is based on the understanding that we are Vibrational Beings! We can tune our nervous system and physical bodies the same way we tune an instrument. It just takes some practice. Thanks and blessings, Philippo ☆☆☆

"Magic and Grace is truly the best way to describe the richly evocative mood on Philippo Franchini's debut meditative music release.This music reaches into the heart and transforms any moment into a space filled with deep rest and peace. It's as if each tone is calibrated to speak to the Soul, which makes this CD not only a delightfully satisfying musical experience, but a deeply healing one as well!" -David Newman

"Philippo's lush, haunting, heart-opening soundscapes are melodic poems which leave me feeling touched by the Mother. He is a troubador for magic and grace." -Psalm Isadora

"A sensual, evocative musical journey to awaken the vibrant shakti and wide open spaces of 'Yes!' within. For the last decade, I have had the honor of working with Philippo and watching his music make magic upon thousands of students, whether moving them to tears or moving them to their feet in ecstasy. His music heals, pure and simple. Dive in, take the journey!" -Micheline Berry

"Philippo plays music from the whispers of the universe. He captivates you with his storytelling and then soothes you with the colors of his music. Shakespeare said, 'If music be the food of life, play on.' Play on, Philippo. Your music is not only the food, but the dessert as well. I love you and your music. Thanks for blessing me."-David Matthew
Brown, Host of Inside Out

"I had the unique opportunity to interview Philippo Franchini. It was a great experience speaking with him, musician to musician, while at the same time learning about Nada Yoga. I got to "wear my morning mellow" while we chatted. He truly is a Rock and Roll Yogi!" -Dara Blaker, from Dara...On Radio; Where Regular People Do Really Cool Things

I have been a fan of Philippo's music since I first saw him play his guitar with David Newman. His CD with the band Blues Divine, Shine Like The Sun, has great songs and heart. I fell in love with it and later had Philippo on my radio show, In The Spirit, to talk about it. Recently, he was on again, and the focus was on his new CD, Magic and Grace. Unlike his previous CD, this one is all instrumental. "Heavenly" is the best word to describe it. The music soars and simmers, taking you on a journey to inner worlds you never knew existed.  Taken together, these two CDs represent two journeys: Earth and Heaven. By listening to them both, you realize Heaven and Earth exist right here, where we are. -Gary Goldberg, host of In the Spirit, on WRPI 91.5 FM

Philippo Franchini's CD, Magic and Grace, touched me upon first listen. What I felt through the music was pure and simple: love. The acoustic strings, spare vocal tracking (provided by Donna DeLory), and easy pulses made for a relaxing experience. This music is rooted in Philippo's study of Nada yoga, or the yoga of sound. Many of the melodies are quite simple and provoke deep reflection. I am really enjoying “Kama's Spell,” which is written for the banjo. This combination mixes the American tradition we are now creating with the rooted mystical sounds of the East.

There is a classical feel to Magic and Grace. Philippo is active in LA's yoga scene, performing with the improv tribal group, Shaman's Dream, touring with the couple David Newman (Durga Das) and Mira, as well as playing his own music. He's also quite proficient in the studio, having produced Mira's fabulous country-twinged Kirtan record, Living Prayer. Magic and Grace is topnotch serene music. -Debi Winston Buzil, Temple of Kriya Yoga and Yoga Chicago Magazine