Love Eternal: Reviews

Jahred and Shawna Namaste met in appropriate Santa Cruz fashion at Saturn Cafe on the eve of the new millennium. They soon after formed their reggae rock band Love Eternal with mandolinist Ray "Of Sunshine" Napoli and percussionist Namasya Carpenter. Their newest album "True Peace," written over two years, will be released on July 4 at the band's CD release performance in Santa Cruz.

The band has a deeply spiritual background. They frequently perform at non-denominational Inner Light Ministries in Soquel, where they have been backed by a 100-person choir. Jahred and Shawna, the singers of the group, frequently sing of love, peace and change in soft, breathy harmony; Jahred cites Bob Marley, John Lennon, Michael Franti and the Grateful Dead as their main inspiration.

What separates Love Eternal from other spiritual bands, however, is their intellectual approach.

"In the past, we've been a very spiritually oriented group," Jahred said. "I just hadn't found music that covered both spirituality and politics. We have to spread the truth because there are things that have to be said."

The band, a self-described combination of "roots reggae and acoustic rock," goes beyond traditional research methods to write songs. Jahred, the primary writer, based the song "A-M-E-R-I-C-A" on Howard Zinn's popular book "A People's History of the United States."

And the politics are present on "A-M-E-R-I-C-A." The song uses the name of the U.S. as an acronym,
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outlining various events in history like World War II and the Vietnam War. Even with the song's intricate lyrics and background research, Jahred said the writing process came easily.

"The songs come to me quickly," Jahred said. "There will be a concept fishing around in my head, and I'll write it during the same amount of time it would take to sing it. It's a very organic process."

After Jahred writes out the chords and lyrics for songs, he takes it to the band to add instrumentation including Napoli's custom double-neck mandolin-guitar/synthesizer and Carpenter's west African hand-drums. The process is collective, with all the musicians having equal opportunity to add in what they want.

"Even though I write the music, it's not like I'm calling the shots," Jahred said. "We add whatever we feel inspired to add."

Then it's off to the studio. The band created the album in Jahred and Shawna's home recording studio, which they've had for three years. Like the album's juxtaposition of spirituality with politics, the studio creates a similar combination of old and new with nature and technology.

"The studio's pretty small, but it's gorgeous," Jahred said. "It's right on the creek, under the redwoods -- and it's fully digital."

“Blessed blessed creation...” Homegrown from the forest and ocean areas of Santa Cruz, CA comes a band ripe and ready to share their blessings. The band Love Eternal manifests the etherial while floating roots-reggae past your head. What is that resonating soft warm jasmine breeze swirling through your dreads? It may just be the melodic vibrations of Love Eternal and their transcendent album “Family.” The melodies and vocals on the first track “Love Jah” invokes Irie melting effects on your being. Each song on their CD is like a Jamaican lullaby tapping into your spirit, elevating your soul toward unlimited Godly potential.

“Made for the great outdoors and to be played so the clouds can hear it”

Love Eternal with psychedelic guitars in tow and lovely breathy vocals, is a unique band singing out unified spirit. With music as their guiding tool, they spread more love around than hate exists on the Earth. Their reggae style is earthy and organic. Sometimes it makes you want to sit back and reflect and other times get up and jump in euphoria. Their album’s bouncy reggae style is a sunny day pleasure. Made for the great outdoors and to be played so the clouds can hear it, “Family” offers Caribbean styles mixed with traditional festival originals from the Islands. Teaching the word of Truth, Love Eternal is a harmonic, mellow, groovy group of singers and musicians, that can make a night under the stars magical.
Written by
Yasa Henson
The Muse Matrix Magazine

Irrefutable Reggae
LOVE ETERNAL AT THE LAVA LOUNGEApr 07, 2005
By Mark C. Anderson
Plenty of bands do the dreadlock and rasta thing convincingly enough to qualify themselves as a reggae band. Extremely rare along this sound spectrum is a group like Love Eternal, so deeply committed to the redemptive and healing power of devotional reggae that describing their butt-length natties and slyly smiling eyes is a disservice. These five artists exist to commune and create and can prove it, with both their lifestyle—they live together under the redwoods in Santa Cruz raising their kids and crafting their music as a group—and their music. The magnetically interwoven lyrics of Shawna and Jahred Namaste move with such an airy reverence for subjects like giving, creation and love that listeners can’t help but feel hopeful; meanwhile, Kris “Tafari” Smith amplifies their uplifting energy with fluid rhythms that make movement irresistible.
9:30pm/doors open; 10:30pm/show. Lava Lounge inside Club Octane, 321D Alvarado St., Monterey. Free. 646-9244 or "http://www.loveeternal.org".

Your words spoken pon the infinite sea of Overstanding LOVE Iternal is a message of Hope and REAL I_ZATION that reverberates from the depths of my knowing. Give I thanks for your message and Keep troddin Gaia for she will nourish you and JAH will comfort your message never ending!
May our paths cross in the physical form
One Love
Blake
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Hello!
Thank you so much for the link! I love your work. Very smooth and peaceful, like a lullaby. ^.^ I love both the voices. My favorite song was "Love is our Destiny." There are so many awesome people in SanFran! If I ever visit there I'll have to catch one of your shows. You guys are awesome! I'm so lucky to have met such talented people and so loving too!
Namaste.
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Namaste,
I checked out your sounds - righteousness-ness-ness! Lovin' those vibes++..
Keep me in loop if u ever come play London town.
Peace.
A
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Today I am sending thanks to all who I feel are genuinely spreading light and love in this universe with the ego unattatched. You are definetley deserving of a huge thank you for what you are doing.
All my love,
Caito
Canada
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Aloha from Big Island,
Just wanted to let you know I listened to the samples of your music on your website and wanted to let you know I thought it was super IRIE! The mandolin was awesome, Jah Music intro so lifting and Huricane blow, wonderful lyrics. Would like to hear more. organizing. Peace and Aloha, Woody.
Hawaii
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I love your music! Both of the voices are really beautiful. I really like it.
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I like the positive message you seem to be wanting to spread....
Best to you,
Jenna
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Hey ! Nice grooves? Got a demo? I work at a radio station...
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Peace Idren,
Congratulations on the new soul in the world, missed your show but caught Mikey Dread at the Catalyst. CD sounds beautiful online! Praises and much respect.
One Love,
Ramona
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I definitely dig the vibe you're vibrating outwards...while reggae is not usually my dig, I do like your message!
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Keep loving...

spiral out
shawn de skoi
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Your music is fabulous...i love it!!!! Well have a wonderful day...
-Beth
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Yes! Very Nice Harmonys!!Thanks!!!One Love!
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send you soul vibes to the max. Your music is a blessing. (I still need to find a way to get your CDs over here!).
So much love,
Caito
I seriously cannot get enough of your music!!!!!!!
I just wanted to express my gratitude for the great vibes! You guys are really rockin in the SOUL yeah!!!
I wish you the best week ever.
Peace and Jah bless,
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Jahred, umm..WOW you guys are good. Really good. Are you on a label and all that cause you sound real together. The songs made me feel nostalgic for the days I use to listen to Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. It must be so much fun to go see your band play out. The songs remind me of magic that hangs in the air. Really really good work. It must be very rewarding to be part of something so great. And you tour?
NY
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The best truth I have to offer is that your music is beautiful, your children are beautiful and your message is beautiful. You are blessed and owed a debt of gratitude for freely sharing these gifts with the world. Thank you.
Maryland
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Comments - Heard you on the radio this morning. Dig your sound. Will do my best to make it to your shows. Please add me to any email list to keep me up to date.
Thanks
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Comments - greetins in the name of His Imperial King, Rastafari
my names rasnunuka and i'm from cape verde islands in west afrika continet, and i'm always here in this site, now i'm livin in portugal, seen, and i'm really proud as a afrikam man and an world citizen overall, i'm proud to see u playin roots and live up the words and profecy.
keep walking we far but we are in the same way, rollin to zion, that's the movement
me also have a reggae band ut we aint got money to buy instruments, but we still playin.
maybe one day jah 'll put us toghether to play
raspect
blesses
rastafari
regards
rasnunuka
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I have been at your last 3 shows in a row and I am hooked. Shawna, you are so inspiring. Just watching you dance and hearing your soulful voice keeps me going all week long. Thank you so much for your music and loving attitude. You have made a big difference in my life and have inspired me to make some changes and to do some new activities that I have been wanting to do but was just being lazy. I know have that motivationd and drive thanks to you. i have been inviting all my friends to your shows with me. My best friend has been to all three with me and I have also brought 5 other friends with me to your show at Moe's Alley. They all loved it and had a really good time. I bought both of your cd's and I also bought some extra ones to give to my friends. Plus some of my friends bought some cd's from the other bands that were at Moe's because they liked them so much. I am so excited to share your music with people, it's a gift! I would also like to offer my help to you to volunteer to pass out flyers or put them up or do promotional services free for the band to ecourage people to check you out. Let me know if you would like me to do that. I would be more than happy to support you however I can.Either way I'll see you at the Brookdale Lodge for your show. Much Love,
Love Cherri
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Love Eternal is eternally go(o)d!
Infinite thanx for your presences and music!
The light that u share with us listeners and dancers (participaters)
is a divine gift a medicine that lingers after the show to the next day
a constant reminder of what i am through listening to the "CREATION" c.d.
again from the beating heart to yours, thank you, gracias, merci beaucoup!
evan
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Thank you again for the CD, I have been listening to it since I left you.
You all are very talented and so down to earth. Thank you for the time we
spent together.
Bless you all, sincerely,
Brooke Moore
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Comments - Heard you for the first time at the WAMM bar-b-que on Saturday (7/16) and found your music and overall performance delightful.
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Dear Jahred Namaste,
All glories to the King of Kings!
Thank you so much for the email and your words of encouragement mean a lot for my state of mind right now. I am very glad you got my letter, there is no hurry at all, I know your all busy so it's cool. I really hope I get to hear you play live someday. I smile every time I see everyone on the website, very nice. Much love my brother! Peace and blesssings!
Your friend,
Squid
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Blessed Love Dearest Family, I have submitted a little about di I band an the portion of your song you sent I, give thanks, an if ever you would like to submit an article, your thoughts, opinions, views on any subject wid Rastafari in mind, please let I know by email!!! Blessings an Abundant Sucess to you an your whole family!!!!
kaya I
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I caught your show on local TV and my girlfriend and I would really like to see and hear you play. Could you tell me when your next preformances are going to be? Thanks for the music,
Thomas Millet
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Email from THOMAS KWEKU ANDREWS
I believe your cd makes me fealise that i have not heard anything
yet...you guys are just awesome...please bring your ministry to
Italy.I love you
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Email from Jen
Nice Ray!!!
Namaste",
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Just wanted you to know that I had your CD in with about a hundred others that get played during my class. The clerks change them whenever they want and the player holds
seven CDs. They found yours and have been playing it over and over. It has been in the
machine for quite a while now. They didn't know you had an InnerLight connection until
I told them yesterday.
Hope all is well with you.
Love,
Bruce
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Hey beautiful beings! It's Tricia from your
Fundamental of Metaphysics class. I had so much fun
last night!!! AND I was so uplifted. Thank you so
much for your dedication to such Positivity!! It
was so great to see you guys rock it. Ray you were soawesome on the Mandolin! Thanks Jahred and Shawnafor speaking to us in the crowd in such a related way.How cool that the Catalyst said YES to such
spiritual music.
And I got myself a CD so I am groovin still this
morning :)
YES! Thank you
Much love,
Tricia
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Great! Brothers and Sister. Nice tunes! Great vibe!
I am happy to hear from you. I am in japan now doing the Gypsy music thing. Our Group is called Mandala.
I will join your community !
Check out our site. Let me know what you think.
"http://www.mandalaworldmusic.com"
Join our Mandala Community if you like the tunes
Jah one love !
Eric Mandala (Japan)
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Bless Brother...
Thank you for the kiind music. Spread the love to the people through the music.
Jah Bless
Anh
France
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Checked out a couple tracks. SOunds good i like the soul you putting in the reggae. much love,
maki
Boston
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Today/LoveEternal/Creation

Listening

Forgiveness
Love Eternal | OmMamaOm Productions

“Peaceful” is one of those songs I played over and over again as it brought me not only a sense of peace but also unrelenting joy. Jahred Namasté has once again scored in his third album entitled Forgiveness, which is a melodic arrangement of positive upbeat reggae that seems to invite one to head to the beach or mountains and experience the oneness that surrounds and unites us all. Love Eternal is an exceptional mix of musicians whose message is one of finding truth through love offered in a devotional reggae style that is seductive in its beat and profound in their powerful lyrics. A musical prayer affirming the beauty found by living in truth with our family, friends and respect for all sentient beings. Love External's rhythmic reggae style is an everyday pleasure. Their message is simple: “Love Eternal is a collective of musicians dedicated to music as ministry. We see the power of sound vibration and lyrical content, and choose to use it to uplift and heal. We believe that what you focus on grows, therefore our music and message is positive and affirmative of what we want to see. We honor all paths, teachings, and traditions that encourage Oneness with the Divine, each other, and the Planet.” For more information or to order copies visit www.loveeternal.org, or contact loveeternal@wildmail.com -SLM