LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What happens when one of the most celebrated spiritual leaders of our time teams up with a Grammy-honored team of producers, musicmakers, and a host of celebrated guest singers? The answer is "TranscenDance" a collection of songs whose words have the ability to transcend limiting beliefs and transform your life whether you are dancing, exercising or listening.
The artist is Michael Bernard Beckwith, award-winning author and visionary founder and spiritual director of the Los Angeles-based Agape International Spiritual Center featured in the mega-hit book and film, "The Secret" and whose PBS special, "The Answer is YOU," is currently airing nationally.
The music is part of a fast-growing genre known as "ecstatic dance," "conscious dance," or "techno-tribal." Fitting perfectly in this groove, Beckwith's melodic speaking voice is so pure and his teachings so powerful that this album takes the genre to a whole new level.
In the hands of Grammy and Tony-nominated songwriter and producer Stephen Bray, Beckwith's words become an instrument, with lines repeated, filtered, and rearranged. Grammy-nominated John Potoker lends his engineering genius to the mix to make Bray's music and Beckwith's teachings into a sublime concoction.
In his worldwide speaking engagements, Beckwith delivers "words that I speak from deep within my heart" with a unique musical flair. "TranscenDance" makes those teachings fun and accessible, and utilizes the mystical power of song to allow us to "hear with the ear behind the ear," as Beckwith eloquently shares in one of the songs.
"The selections are more than spoken word or dance music," notes Beckwith. "They are joyful soundtracks that have been created to inspire you to listen and dance to the beauty of your own true nature."
Four legendary guest singers populate the tracks: Siedah Garrett, Niki Haris, Sovory and Brenda Lee Eager.
The producing team includes Stephen Bray, who also wrote the music for this album, and who teamed with Madonna on many hits including "Into the Groove," "Express Yourself," and "True Blue." Also producing is remix engineer and producer, John Potoker, who has shared his talents with Paul McCartney, U2, No Doubt, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and others.
The album was conceived and executive produced by Beckwith and the Agape Media International (AMI) CEO, Stephen Powers, whose numerous credits include a Grammy-winning album, several million-selling soundtrack albums, and Michael Beckwith's PBS Special, "The Answer Is You," featuring Black-Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, Siedah Garrett, Niki Haris, Rickie Byars Beckwith and more. The TranscenDance CD is available through iTunes, Amazon, and many other outlets.
Michael Bernard Beckwith / TranscenDance (AMI-214)
Released by Agape Media International; UPC: 8-92823-00214-5; featuring the words of Michael Bernard Beckwith, music of Stephen Bray; produced by Stephen Bray and John Potoker; Executive Producers: Michael Beckwith and Stephen Powers. http://www.agapemedia-international.com, http://www.soultone.com, http://www.agapelive.com