Trickle on Down

This is Dada's fourth CD, released May 2016.

Dada took the help of his friend Kali Wale Amen-Bey who produced and arranged the CD giving it a reggae-world music vibe.

Credits

Music and lyrics: Dada Veda 
Lead Vocals: Dada Veda 
Produced, performed and mixed by Kali Wale Amen 
Backing Vocals: Nephertiti Amen, Kale Wale Amen 
Additional Vocals on track 2: Kali Wale Amen 
Vibraphone on tracks 2 and 3: Micah Rutschman 
Violin and mandolin on tracks 7 and 9: Diipak 
Solo keys on track 8: Daniel Golden 
Keys on on track 8: James Baker 
Harmonium on track 10: Ramesh 
Additional arrangement and production on tracks 4 and 6: Kailash 
CD Design and artwork: Nephertiti Aimani Amen 
Additional cover art: Sarah Buckman 
Photography: Gary Warnimont

This is Dada’s fourth album of original songs and as he says in the liner notes, “My main job in life is teaching meditation and yoga, but my musical activities are an important extension of this work.” He adds, “In these short songs I have tried to infuse the eternal truths that are at the core of who we are as individuals and as a society.” 

The title track, “Trickle on Down,” is a lively reggae tune that tells the story of global economic inequality, or as Dada writes, the song is “modern economics explained in 4 ½ minutes.” 

In “The Secret of it All” Dada draws on the wisdom of yoga which says that the secret of happiness is learning how to be content. A jazzy vibraphone solo and crisp backing vocals of Kali and Nephertiti give an uplifting feeling to this song. 

“Everyone makes mistakes but it’s good to reach out and patch things up, before it’s too late.” That’s how Dada describes “Better Than That” an upbeat number with horns, vibraphone and a bouncy bass line. 

“Spiritual Oasis” describes a particular place, a retreat center in Croatia, but it can be any place where good people come together in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. A strong Afro-Pop rhythm punctuates this song. 

“Love is pouring down on everyone. Some feel it and some don’t. Remove your ego umbrella and you will be drenched in the ‘Shower of Grace’.” says Dada as he tells the story of someone searching for happiness. 

We all have dreams about what we would like to see in the future. “Waiting for that Time” describes Dada’s vision of a world where “good folks hold their heads up high and hungry kids never pierce the night with their cry.” Strong percussion, relentless backing vocals, horns and keyboards carry this song forward. 

“Drift in Bliss” is based on a 500year old poem. The ancient poet advises work in the world while keeping our sight fixed on our true goal as the formula for achieving bliss in the here and now. 

In “Promised Land” Dada tells of a fleeting vision of world where people enjoy a life of bliss. A place that is almost too good to be true. A jazzy keyboard solo is a standout feature of this song. 

A beautiful violin, mandolin and finger-style guitar arrangement are a perfect backdrop for the deep spiritual theme of “I See Your Smile.” 

The album closes with the “Baba Nam Kevalam” mantra, reminding us that love resides in our innermost selves and that it permeates the entire universe.