LA YOGA Review of “Sun People"

Brimming with sunshine and drenched with positivity, Nickodemus' Sun People is nothing short of a joyous tribute to the diversity and potential of our world. This beautiful collection of world-inspired grooves and happy vibes combines contemporary beats with ancient rhythms, creating a vibrant album that focuses on the healing powers of music, dance, and the Sun.

While not all songs on this album may be suitable for your average yoga class due their dance beats or MC'ing, all contain an element of unity, hope and consciousness. This is Nickodemus' distinct trademark: the ability to layer uplifting vocals, world rhythms and funky beats, creating a potent fusion of spiritually-concentrated grooves. The first two tracks, “Sun People" and the funky Hip-Hop jam “Sun Children," accentuate flute, clarinet, guitar and drums with vocals that proclaim, “New Day/Hands High/Get it Right/Sun Children, That's My Tribe." Songs like the soulful, Reggae-and Latin influenced “The Love Feeling" are perfect Sunday afternoon house music. Nickodemus also ventures deep into Gypsy, Middle Eastern and Indian influences. With “Didibina," the energy return inwards, and the chiller vibe continues with the swinging “Gira del Sol," and “Calle Sol's" jazzy flute and Cuban drums. Accompanied by fabulous sax and trumpets, the final song, "N'Dini," creates an emotional bookend to the album by echoing the melodies first heard in “Sun People" and “Sun Children."

Whether a backdrop to a Vinyasa flow class or an outdoor summertime party, Sun People's versatility is its biggest strength. Nickodemus creates a joyful palette of soulful, uplifting music from Guinea, Turkey, Romania, Columbia, India, Puerto Rico and Brazil, the UK and NYC. This groovy homage to the many diverse expressions of Life itself is available digitally June 16th on www.eslmusic.com. Look for hard copies on ESL Music on August 18th, 2009.