Aloka — Mixtape 002

Curated by Graham Slick

About the Mixtape

This one goes deeper into the source. Mixtape 002 is almost entirely Indian classical and devotional music — bhajan, raga, mantra — the tradition that underlies much of what happens in Graham's ceremonies. Ravi Shankar appears three times, including the devotional vocal piece "Prabhujee" and the haunting "Monsoon and Rain." Anup Jalota, known as the Bhajan Samraat — Emperor of Bhajan — brings the Hanuman Chalisa. Suresh Wadkar and Seema Mishra's voices carry centuries of temple music forward. Susmirata Dawalkar offers two deeply meditative pieces, and Vidura Barrios pairs with vocalist Gayatri Govindarajan on the luminous Kannada devotional "Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma." The one wild card: Terry Riley and Brooklyn Raga Massive opening a Raga Bihag Alap — minimalism and Indian classical in perfect conversation, recorded live with 18 musicians. Nearly an hour of music that doesn't ask anything of you except to be still.

About Graham

Graham Slick is the founder of Aloka Sound Bath House and Portland's most recognized sound healer, named Best Sound Bath Experience by Willamette Week's Best of Portland 2025. His practice has roots in Indian classical music and devotional tradition — he plays harmonium, studies kirtan, and draws on the same raga lineage that runs through this playlist. He also makes his special “Aloka Chai” a from-scratch recipe, and has led chai ceremonies alongside his sound work. When Graham isn't leading a sound ceremony, this is the music he's living inside.