Miten~ 'Temple at Midnight'

Miten ~ Temple at Midnight ~ by Phil Cartwright

Miten the life partner of Deva Premal was brought up in Ireland the son of publicans. In that his family ran a public house there.

He reached the heights of his career in the UK in the 60s, playing with a whole host of well established musicians such as Ry Cooder, Fleetwood Mac, and Lou Reed. But he wasn't happy or fulfilled and read a book by Osho of Zen Tales, No Water, No Moon. That book acted as a catalyst for Miten and took him to India where he met his teacher Osho.

He spent most of his first year in Osho's ashram working in the kitchen and avoiding his guitar. But slowly he started to play music again and Deva Premal was also at the ashram and keen to sing. The name Miten (Male Friend) Prabhu (Powerful) was given to him by Osho. Their record company is called Prabhu.

The Temple at Midnight is a beautifully simple album in its acoustics. Joby Baker has stripped the sound right back to it's bare elements, which is a joy for the ears in this electronic music age we find ourselves in. It is soulful in the deepest sense of the word. On this album he transcends the music of the heart, taking it into the deeper realms of the soul which is a joy and delight!

The album celebrates the many dimensions of love and meditation he has explored on his journeys, from his hedonistic days in London's rock scene in the 70s. To a voyage of self-discovery in mystic India, and on to twenty years of world tours with Deva Premal, diving deeper and deeper into himself.

Throughout these evocative songs in the steady flowing gospel groove of "River Man," the Zen blues of "No Goal But This," the mellow, reflective "One Step At A Time," and "Exactly As It Is" (featuring Deva Premal), to the rays of moonlight illuminating the Rumi-inspired lyrics of "All Is Welcome Here," plus a haunting version of his beloved Beatles Norwegian Wood Miten pays homage to a life lived fully and without compromise.

Although we have Deva and Joby Baker to thank for encouraging Miten to take these songs off the shelf and rekindle them into the most beautiful album I have listened to in well over a decade or longer. It touches some deep places where you rarely hear music go these days. With soulful songs of love and redemption, which are both soothing and thought provoking at the same time.

My first question to Miten some years back now was is what he does a service or a practice? He see's it as both, and embraces it fully. I've seen first hand how diligent he is during the sound checks before the concerts. Ensuring everything is just right, which can take time.

A recurring theme throughout the album are the words River and Flow. Miten, on looking into this, see's it very much as the flow and play (Leela) of life. He travels the world with Deva, Manose, and Joby Baker, and their other musicians offering concerts and retreats. These invariably sell out with little or no promotion. Their winters are spent in Australia recharging and writing and offering more concerts.

There is also a beautifully produced photo biography book now, More Than Music, featuring aspects of their lives we have yet to see before. This includes a 10 track CD within the book, featuring a new remix of one of their classic tracks.

The video above is from the album Temple at Midnight, the sand painting in the video is by the artist Fatmur Mura and is a feast for the eyes.

I would encourage you all to attend one of their many concerts and retreats, book early to avoid disappointment. Do take the time to listen to this album. It surprises and never disappoints!