Tantra
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Tantra

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"Collective Spirits "The Love Planet EP" Pick of the Week"

Review by Michael Fossati
Spiritofhouse.com

Collective Spirits "Love Planet EP " (Camio Records CD Promo)

Collective Spirits combines the talents of producers/DJ's Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean, singer Dana Byrd and spoken word artist Tantra-zawadi. Together they present the outstanding "Love Planet EP" that is comprised of three wonderful productions that combine Dana Byrd's soulful vocals with Tantra-zawadi's spoken poetry.

"Let it Come" is a laid-back track on a Latinesque tip featuring subtle keys and a marvelous organ ride, while "People of the World" features infectious synths and classy strings over a smooth percussion enriched groove. Lastly we have "Just Wanna Dance" that is a nod to the classic New York dance anthems, built around a kickin' groove that is guaranteed to rock any dance floor. - Michael Fossati


"alifepoeminprogress"

Her book, 'alifepoeminprogress,' allows you to see the many dimensions of her outstanding talent. In her book, she displays what I percieve to be the epitomy of a woman evolved.

She has the kind of spirit that encourages others to look inside themselves instead of elsewhere for respect, dignity, happiness, and above all, love. In my mind, she exceeds Platinum status because the pleasure I receive while reading her work is priceless.” Sinsual, Platinum Poets"
- Platinum Poets


"Love Soul Poetry"

"Tantra's warmth, femininity, and strength are always displayed when she steps to the mic. Her words are dedicated to truth, love, joy and pain, and to hear her speak them is definitely a blessing to the ears...and oh yes, let's not forget the sensuality." - Renee Johnson - Suniper Press


"Bill Holmes, Poet, Author"

SACRED Reunion

"If love is eternal then I love you infinity. Hearts knowing not what minds speak...speak to me. Peace!" The above quote was written by my dear friend and sister from Brooklyn, Tantra, one of my favorite poets. I've had the opportunity to meet Tantra back in 1999 when she along with her friends Chuma Whahid Rasul and Fisiwe were featured at a poetry venue that was hosted by Demetrius tha Poet, another dear friend of mine, at the Urban Word Cafe in Trenton, NJ.

At the end of the night, we met and congratulated each other on our performances. I also exchanged a copy of my chapbook, Illuminations, for a copy of Tantra's full length poetry book, alifepoeminprogress. I couldn't put Tantra's book down for that entire weekend because her writing style was phenomenonal. I've never met another poet who could write a sensual poem about love that embraces its magnificent splendor like Tantra. - Bill Holmes


"The Cyber Mix Tape Show"

Canhead Wordpress
The Cyber Mix Tape Show- April 2007

another mix of really really goodness from your favorite B-Boy blogger, El Q Tha Gr8!

1.Intro- 2.Space People/X-Clan 3.What A Job/Devin The Dude w/ Snoop & Andre 3000 4.Throw It Up/Begetz f. Star Mafia 5.In The Now/Fat Jack & Mascaria 6.Lazy Monday/Tantra 7.The Awakening/4hero f. Ursula Rucker 8.Shining Star/Nikki Skies 9.Q.Rock639 break–DVDs In The Headrest 10.Jah In You/La Dee Dred 11.New Year/JhaVoice 12.Pearls/Angelique Kidjo w/ Josh Groban 13.Bang/Brother Nyft 14.Go Around/Marco Polo w/ Buckshot 15.Mess I Made/Sean Price

stay tuned to canhead.wordpress.com and kayaro.blogspot.com for more from Q.Rock639

This is another Kayaro Inc. production

http://canhead.wordpress.com
- Canhead Wordpress


"Bruce George, Co-Founder, Def Poetry Jam"

"Tantra's words have the uncanny ability to do balancing acts between sensuality and sexuality! Her "Poetry" softens spirits, and heals hearts! Her passion is infectious!"

Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam
- Bruce George, Co-Founder, Def Poetry Jam


"Spoken Vizions Magazine"

At first glance, the sultry sounds of Poet/Spoken Word Artist TANTRA, will place you in a realm of seductiveness, sexiness, and hypnotic waves of love and lust. But then, as you are pulled into her recordings, you suddenly realize... that she is actually speaking with lyrics of substance. The new release by TANTRA entitled "Sacred" is a perfect blend of love, politics, relationships, social topics, and self-empowerment.

The music compositions (produced by Michael Cox) on this CD is a mixture of jazz, house, and soul. Some of the stronger pieces on this project are "Breakdown", the hypnotic sounds of "Fallin'", "One Love", which is a poem dedicated to New Orleans, and "Dreams At Stake". One poem that caught my attention immediately was "Status". It starts out saying "Build me a man. Build me a man." Honestly, I didn't know where she was going to go with this poem, but once it began, I was there and along for the ride. TANTRA is a breath of fresh air (with no parental advisory sticker, so you can let your children listen to it). Her voice is so heavenly that you will be seized into her lyrical tracker beams, forcing you to listen to quality.

Floyd Boykin Jr., CEO SpokenVizions Magazine - Floyd Boykin, Jr, CEO


"Up From the Roots"

Search far and wide, and you're unlikely to find a more sultry voice than that of New York's Tantra. On "Sacred," Tantra's vocals are beautifully mixed with soul, r&b, and house rhythms to create an offering that is satisfying to the ear, but also nourishing to the soul. Stand out tracks include, Change My World, Fallin, One Love, and the house infused, Gold.

"Sacred" is definitely an asset to the spoken word movement, and you owe it to yourself to give it a listen on CD, or live in person.

Dwayne Morgan, Up From The Roots - Dwayne Morgan


"Michelle Taylor"

" 'First let me say, CONGRATULATIONS on what is a profoundly creative and innovative work. Your talent and skill as a poet and lyricist are phenomenal. I really am honored that you thought I could offer comment on this project. I really enjoyed the reflections, messages and verbal artistry of all of the tracks. I especially enjoyed listening to "Gold" -- for obvious reasons this was reminiscent of the piece you created for the HIV PSA we produced a few years ago.

I absolutely love the message of "What Shall We Tell Our Daughters" and the reinforced message that women of wisdom have much to share with the younger ones who are searching for guidance, purpose and meaning with regards to their value and worth in society. I also enjoyed the provocative and powerful social messages of "A Poem for Gordon," "Dreams At Stake" and "My Drum." "One Love" was also a creative, yet thought-provoking reflection on the travesty of the aftermath of Katrina's wake in New Orleans. Tantra, in a nutshell -- the intellect, introspection, rawness juxtaposed with vulnerability, and the compassion mixed with conviction with which you offer yourself, your gifts and talents to the world are to be lauded!' "

Michelle Taylor, Communications and Creative Services Director BETAH Associates - BETAH Associates


"Dean Russell, Vocalized Ink Radio"

Jazz/funk Artist, Tantra, performing with Michael Cox, recent release, Sacred is a timely CD touching on black sexuality, Love, Empowerment and Performance Poetry. Highlights on the CD are track #3 Status, a story telling song and wake up call about the now not so silent Killer AIDS. Tracks #4 Fallin', a very sultry track talking about love, track # 7 an empowering track speaking to the inner beauty of a woman, track #8 My Drum, reflecting activism but not preachy, made you want to tap your foot instead, bob your head instead, do something, and feel good about what you did afterwards, and track #11 First Time, Tantra's vocals rides the house music beats and tells you a beautiful story.

This is a CD you will want to play in your car to clear your head, to set a mood right before you make that call to somebody special, to turn up real loud when you want to escape into peace and love. This CD is indeed Sacred, don't believe me, go cop that album.

Celebrity Journalist Dean Russell, Contributing Writer/Interviewer Vocalized Ink Radio

- Dean Russell, Celebrity Journalist


Discography

CDs:
Collective Spirits "The Love Planet EP" (Camio Records)
Scarlet Waters
The Poet
Natural: Bring That Poem Home
SACRED
Urban Avant Garde: Live at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Selling My Diamonds
A Poem for New Orleans

FILMS:
"A Silent Genocide:

DVDs:
The Poet (2006)

Photos

Bio

Tantra-zawadi best describes her work "by the love that I make through my art to the vision of the unseen reality."

Sensual and sublime, her poetry explores love in all its forms; from the rush of the first kiss to the bittersweet.

As a performance poet and published author, Tantra supports the rights of women to exist, choose, decide and think through the art form of spoken word.

Tantra has performed to standing-room audiences at venues as far away as South Africa, London, Germany and Toronto as well as venues closer to home in the tri-state area. She has performed original works in the off-Broadway productions of An Evolution in Reinvention, the Numeral Three, Leaving My Apartment and Other Urban Adventures and projects with the vonduvoisdancecollective.

Tantra's recent appearances include the WOW Theater Cafe, the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn NEXT!, Bowery Poetry Club, The Five Spot, The Sugar Bar, Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday Project, Def Poetry Plugged In, hosted by Danny Simmons at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, BRIC Studios, Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Medgar Evers College, Solomon's Porch, Trane Studios, Lyme and Tings, Poetry in Purple, Urban Erotika, Theater for the New City, Sullivan Hall, Bryant Park, Union Square Park, The Schomburg Library (with Ruby Dee and Avery Brooks in attendance), the Harlem Book Fair, African Burial Ground, The Triad Theater, The Cutting Room, Stony Brook University, University of Florida/Tampa, The Barnum Museum, Polk County Museum, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Symphony Space, Brooklyn Fashion Week, The Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival and the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre.

Tantra is also a recipient of the Kings County District Attorney's Office Award for Women’s History Month for her artistic contributions to the borough of Brooklyn, New York.

Published Author
Tantra is anxiously awaiting the release of her sophomore book of poetry and CD titled “Lifewatcher” by Chuma Spirit Books. She is the author of “alifepoeminprogress” and her poetry was featured in Essence Magazine and in spoken word publications such as Redeye, Spoken Vizions (www.spokenvizions.com), defpoetryjam.com, Platinum Poets, Sunpiper Press, Souled Up and poetswearprada.com.

On Screen
Tantra-zawadi is the host of her own spoken word series, WORDSPACE, and has made several appearances on cable television, local and satellite radio shows. Tantra’s videos and films may be viewed on-line @ www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi

Tantra is also a contributing artist on poetry compilations such as The Liberation Sessions: Soul of the City CD by Mwalim (www.cdbaby.com), Poetic Stimulus, the brain-child of Atlanta Red, poet/founder of www.sayitinpoetry.com, EARTHOLOGY, by Floyd Boykin, Jr., poet/founder of Spoken Vizions Magazine (www.cdbaby.com) and works in progress with world renowned DJ Groove Assassin and Bass, Breaks and Beats Records in Cape Town, South Africa.

Networks
Mentor for Girl Child Network Worldwide
www.girlchildnetworkworldwide.org
www.freedomversecafe.com
www.sayitinpoetry.com

Booking and media inquiries
Debra Williams, Diamond & Company
www.diamondandcompany.com

Follow Tantra-zawadi Online
www.tantra-zawadi.com
www.facebook.com/tantrazawadi
www.myspace.com/tantrais