Levi Chen • Devocean 12 Tracks • 60 Minutes © 2007 Yin Yang Records

Devotion is the way of compassion, the why and the way of higher love…

With the release of Devocean, Levi Chen has come full circle in his musical evolution. The closing track is Levi playing solo electric guitar, as on his entire first album, Tao, from 1993. It is the same guitar; the same Fender Stratocaster bought for him by his Dad, when Levi was 15. The same Dad who gave him his first Chinese Harp 12 years later.

Levi’s first album in 6 years, and the 8th in his prolific 15 year career, Devocean is a highly personal tribute to his father “Peter” Pi Chao Chen, who passed away March 25, 2005, just weeks before recording began. It is a powerful and poignant body of work, intimate and intense, evocative and emotional. Honoring and uplifting, a testament of love between a father and a son.

Devocean features 12 tracks, including a haunting rendition of the classic Brazilian melody “Manha de Carnaval” (from the Oscar winning 1959 film “Black Orpheus,”) performed as a duet with a Fender 6-string electric bass. The opening track entitled “Memory (DNA),” is solo electric guitar with orchestra, featuring stunning performances by some of Hollywood’s finest orchestral musicians. From the straight up 4-piece rocker “Desired Straits” (currently climbing the Billboard AC charts), to the sexy and friendly reggae sound of “Exploradora”. From the classic majesty and Memphis soul of “Ceremony” to the explosive climax and jazzy afterglow of “New Edge”, Devocean is a continuous stream of aural sex, ear candy, inspiration and devotion.

One of the highlights of the album is “Sound and Recent Sorrow”, Levi’s memorial to the victims of recent natural disasters (S.A.R.S., the Indian Ocean tsunami, Katrina). Arguably the first ever “Asian-American Blues”, it is a monumental juxtaposition and minimalist exploitation of Chinese Harp and Violin (Gu Zheng and Erhu), jazz piano, searing funky guitar, operatic vocals, and distorted drum beats. One of the most daringly original and innovative, yet enjoyable pieces of popular music in some time, SARS is also Levi’s first ever music video, and features the LA based Corpus Delicti Butoh Dance Performance Lab. The video is a visual manifestation of Levi’s unique sonic vision, and is a masterpiece in it’s own right.

This recording and mixing of DEVOCEAN took place over 3 years, on 3 continents, in 5 studios, with 6 engineers, and over 30 talented musicians. The instrumentation includes; bass, drums, percussion, piano, organ, sax, harmonica, violins, cellos, oboe, flute, trumpet and brass... And special guest vocals on two songs by Susan Dumett of Vox Vespertinus, who Levi met while performing at the Temple of Joy at Burning Man 2005.

The high production values Levi shared with engineer/mixer Brad Cobb are evident from the first note to the last. Levi also worked with, and gained much insight from German producer Manfred Praeker (Nina Hagen Band, Spliff, #1 worldwide hit “99 Red Balloons,”) who he met while living in Portugal in 2002-3. Also consulting during the production of Devocean was Ray Tusken, (retired VP of A&R Capitol Records; Steve Miller, Iron Maiden, Duran Duran, Radiohead), whose 25 years experience in the music biz helped Levi tremendously to hone the vision for the album.

For those already familiar with Levi’s music, you will find Devocean another new musical experience, more dynamic and varied, yet peacefully familiar. More mature and readily accessible than ever, and still the same timeless quality of all his work. The unique musical voice of Levi Chen has found it’s highest expression in this worthy tribute to his beloved father…

Devocean makes it clear for all to hear: Levi Chen is among the most compelling instrumental voices of our times.