Mantra Mix - A Tibet benefit album
Source: Jon Breukel & Penelope Tree (Mantra Mix Producers)
Mantra Mix presents the artistry and expression of many Australian and international performers and, for the first time ever on CD, the voice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, intoning a special prayer for The Long Life of Buddha's Teachings.
The album was specifically produced to raise funds for Tibet. We approached many artists and found that they were very keen to help. The hardest part was getting their record companies to agree! Mushroom Records were very supportive of the concept and agreed to take the album on board and promote it during the Dalai Lama's visit. Festival Records made sure the album got out into record stores around Australia and New Zealand and the general public did the rest.
The album initially helped to finance the Dalai Lama's 1996 visit to Australia. As a long-term fundraiser, Mantra Mix royalties go towards helping Tibetan refugee communities via the Office of The Dalai Lama, presently located in Dharamsala, North India. In the first six months Mantra Mix has already raised $40,000.
The idea was to produce a high quality benefit compilation album featuring the music and voices of several well-known international musician/singers, including Tibetan chanting, and the voice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mantra Mix has enabled the artists to join together and donate songs, which they feel, are appropriate to the message of the Dalai Lama. They have the opportunity to express their support for the Tibetan cause which is growing in popularity and importance, as people around the world begin to realise the great difficulties and injustices which this peaceful Buddhist nation is experiencing.
Through the medium of music the message about Tibet can reach a wider audience, enabling those who buy a copy to also make a small contribution towards helping the Tibetan people and their cause.
All the artists have generously donated their songs with great enthusiasm and commitment towards wanting to help the Dalai Lama and his people.
jonb@vicnet.net.au
www.vicnet.net.au/~mantramix/ |