Reviews & Recognition
Discover what music critics and listeners worldwide are saying about Ilka's transformative sacred sound healing music
Professional Reviews
What the experts are saying
"Bodega Bliss" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Kathy Parsons
The title for Ilka de Gast’s new single, “Bodega BIiss,” is about as perfect as you can get. Gentle, ethereal, soothing and beautiful are words that come to mind while listening this beautiful piece. Inspired by the Bodega Bay Headlands in Northern California - an area I am very familiar with - the single features Ilka’s vocals and overtone singing (the art of creating two notes simultaneously) which blend beautifully with Hank Kalleen’s orchestral harmonies and melodies; both artists co-composed the music. It’s a wonderful escape from all of the craziness of the world right now - even for a little more than five minutes! (You can always put it on “repeat”!)
Now living in California, Ilka de Gast is originally from the Netherlands and is alicensed psychologist, Qigong and meditation instructor, sound healer and singer songwriter. She has explored many meaningful career paths, but for the past twenty-five years, her true passion has been to work with and teach sacred sound healing modalities from around the world, including the ancient art of overtone singing. Ilka's meditation music is featured in Dr. Joe Dispenza's advanced retreats all over the world as well as in independent films.
“Bodega Bliss” is available on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora.
"Bodega Bliss" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff.
I think we can all agree there’s something completely idyllic and magical about the ocean and its scenery. There’s just something special about it that almost instantly calms the soul and the psyche.
Ilka’s inspiration for her new ethereal single, “Bodega Bliss,” came from the powerful, expansive Pacific Ocean. She has spent many hours on the cliffs of the Bodega Bay Headlands in Northern California, enjoying the stunning vistas, the company of whales and seals, and the sight of majestic pelicans flying overhead.
It was while sitting at her favorite spot there — the rocky outcropping known as the “Vortex” (often used by the native people of the land for sacred ceremony) — that Ilka first connected with the deeply calming and nurturing energy she found there. That connection continues to strengthen, and the energy and melody of many songs, including “Bodega Bliss,” have flowed through her from that source.
In “Bodega Bliss,” the powerful combination of Ilka’s ethereal vocals, Hank Kalleen’s masterful blending of soft orchestral harmonies and melodies, and the otherworldly sounds of Ilka’s “signature” overtone singing (creating two notes simultaneously) take the listener instantly from beta to alpha and theta brainwave states. This leads us to a state of deep relaxation and blissful tranquility.
This is an exceptionally beautiful, gentle, and calming song — one of her best so far, in my opinion. Her otherworldly vocals are masterfully woven into the mix, creating an effortless feeling of peace, serenity, and… bliss.
Just beautiful.
"Bodega Bliss" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
Ilka DeGast’s unique blend of nature and music, enhanced by her remarkable vocal tones, forms a potent healing tool. Her artistry completes the circle of life, adding a transformative dimension to the healing power of nature and music.
“Bodega Bliss” is her tribute to the waters and shoreline of Bodega Bay and a friend in need of serenity and healing.
Ilka’s wordless vocalizations, combined with Hank Kalleen’s synths, offer the best of both worlds. The soft synths and swirling whooshing sounds evoke the ocean, while Ilka’s vocalizations bring an immediate sense of calm, initiating a silent healing process from within.
Ilka DeGast’s sacred sounds create a comforting, personal connection. Her music is a call to the universe, inviting you, the listener, to take a few minutes to experience her unique slice of heaven.
September 21, 2025
"Angel" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Kathy Parsons
“Angel” is the second single released by Ilka de Gast following her debut album, Ocean of Light, earlier this year (2025). This very gentle and ethereal piece features Ilka’s layered vocals as well as Tommy Graven’s acoustic guitar, Native American flute, and some subtle synth harmonies; Graven also engineered the recording. The story behind the piece is almost as inspiring as the music itself. Ilka had spent several hours on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Bodega Bay, CA, enjoying the beautiful water views as well as the company of whales, seals and pelicans. She was on her way to her weekly visit with her friend, Nancy, who had been in hospice care for three months, when the melody and lyrics of “Angel” started to come to Ilka. Nancy passed away peacefully that night, but the next day, when Ilka was out walking, she connected to her dear friend’s spirit who encouraged her to finish composing this song. What a gift!“Angel” is available from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as streaming platforms including Bandcamp, Spotify and Pandora. Highly recommended for a little more than five minutes of soothing, heavenly peace!
August 4, 2025
"Angel" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Steve Sheppard
This brand new single by the artist Ilka De Gastis a memorable creation from the artist, and one tinged with the sadness of the passing of a dear friend, but one bathed in the appreciation of a life now concluded, and done so in the most beautiful of ways.
Since the release of Talking to Whales, De Gast is now firmly on the global map of great new age musicians of in this 21st century, here on this melodic and reflective new offering she excels on Angel, with the breath of freedom, release and compassion, a wondrous manifestation indeed.
The gentle tones of a Tommy Graven acoustic guitar can be found on this new release, and also his trademark Native American flute too. The soft pastiche of timbre on this piece is compelling, it allows us to listen and be in touch with the empathic natures.
The smooth fluency of the single is also deeply moving too, without being overly mournful, instead the energy of appreciation and gratitude can be found here, and that all too important facet of a soul, musical or otherwise, that understands the meaning of what unconditional love truly is. This is a blissfully brilliant breath taking new song, and one that leads me to think that Angel by Ilka de Gast featuring Tommy Graven is going to become a massive hit on the charts in the weeks and months ahead.
August 8 2025
"Angel" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Single Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
From the very first notes, you know this is a very special song. This delicate, angelic composition features Ilka de Gast’s otherworldly female vocals, along with beautiful orchestral harmonies as well as the soulful sounds of Tommy Graven’s Native American flute and guitar. The piece takes the listener on a graceful and sublime journey into the mystical realms of Spirit and angels, leading ultimately to states of sacred tranquility and deep meditation. We can feel ourselves embraced by loving angelic presence.
Hailing originally from the Netherlands, and now residing in California, Ilka is an up-and-coming luminary in the New Age music space. Her music is featured at Dr. Joe Dispenza’s advanced meditations retreats as well as in films.
A song inspired by the passing of Ilka’s dear friend, Nancy, “Angel” is just beautiful in every way. Ultra-relaxing, harmonic, heavenly, and supremely ethereal and angelic, it’s about 5 minutes of supreme peace.
“Angel” is available on all major streaming platforms.
"Talking to Whales" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Steve Sheppard
This New Age music revival is now full on and this time around its narratives seem to be far stronger in the production and creational aspects of the genre, whilst back in the day, many would release albums about whales and dolphins, fairies and trees, but this time around it is very obvious that a lot of intelligence, thought, sincerity, consideration and topical awareness has gone into this well of bountiful musical pleasure, and that aforementioned statement can certainly be said for one of the best new age singles I have heard for years called Talking To Whales and performed by composers Ilka De Gast and Tommy Graven.
Utilising the harmonic craft of flautist Tommy Graven, vocalist De Gast manifests a contribution to the genre of a single that is not only utterly beautiful, but must surely have been channelled by the whales themselves, at her spiritual sanctuary known to her personally as “The Vortex”, just to add a little more context, we have a few special locations here in Cyprus, where we are sure that time and energy operates in a totally different way to all other places.
We can add further to the description of this stunning reverie that it contains a meditative quality like no other, the song is not just redolent of the subject matter, it is the subject matter, and personally I must state that I believe Talking to Whales by Ilka de Gast is easily one of the best new age releases I have heard so far this decade, and as such deserves to top the charts and perhaps more!
"Talking to Whales" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder
Ilka de Gast has recorded a special track, Talking to Whales. Her deep love and connection to the Pacific Ocean, which stems from living on the coast, brought her to this place where the creatures inhabiting that ocean, specifically the whales, are in complete focus.
Whales are the gentle giants of our waters. Their intelligence cannot be understated, and their importance to ecosystems goes beyond what we think we know about them.
Ilka’s beautiful wordless vocals, combined with the sounds of waves and whales, create a compelling experience for any listener. Her talent is evident and well-suited for this kind of art, as is her heartfelt expression of recording a track to bring attention to these beautiful creatures and their habitat.
Another intrinsic piece of this composition is the native flute furnished by Tommy Graven and the lovely layers of synths from Tommy and Hank Kalleen. This unique collaboration adds a new dimension to the track, making it a must-listen for any music enthusiast.
The striking cover art with the whale and the light of a spirit behind them is significant spiritually and organically. Hearing this piece was such a special treat, and I was honored to be chosen to present this music. The importance of our environment, and all creatures great and small around the globe, cannot be expressed better.
The cover art, with its spiritual and organic significance, connects us to the essence of the track and the message it conveys.
Ilka says it all at the end of the track as she whispers, “I Love You.”
"Talking to Whales" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Kathy Parsons
Talking To Whales" is a fascinating single from Ilka de Gast, an artist who released her debut album, Ocean of Light, earlier this year. Originally from The Netherlands and now based on the Northern California coast, Ilka is a singer/songwriter, overtone singer, sound healer, Qigong and meditation teacher, researcher, and licensed psychologist who loves to spend time on the cliffs of the Bodega Bay Headlands (an area I loved to visit when I lived in California!). The inspiration for the piece came while Ilka was sitting on an outcropping known as The Vortex that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, enjoying the company of whales and seals as well as pelicans flying overhead. As she connected with the commanding yet gentle energy of the whales, the melody and the idea for the piece flowed through her. The piece includes Ilka's (and the whales'!) wordless vocals as well as Native and American copper flutes (Tommy Graven) and synths (Graven and Hank Kalleen). Graven and Kalleen also co-composed the music (which is very ambient and ethereal) and mixed and engineered the single. It's an amazing exploration in sounds and creates a bit more than seven minutes of musical magic. I highly recommend it!
"Talking To Whales" is available from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as many streaming sites including Spotify and Pandora. Don't miss it!
"Talking to Whales" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley July 31, 2025
It is well known that whales communicate with one another in what to the human ear is a series of sounds, or melodies that resonate deeply within the psyche, the soul, the emotions.
Composer, musician and vocalist Ilke de Gast in collaboration with Tommy Graven on Native American Flute have created a divinely intimate single combining gentle synth, the breathy sound of the native American Flute, recorded whale songs and graceful vocals that offer a gateway of floating gentle sound waves to carry you into a short but relaxing seven minutes of meditation and relaxation.
Talking To Whalesis perfect for that moment in time when a little relaxation, refocusing and refreshment is required.
"Talking To Whales" is available from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as many streaming sites including Spotify and Pandora. Don't miss it!
"Ocean of Light" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder
Ilka de Gast, PsyD, is a California-based singer-songwriter, overtone singer, sound healer, Qigong, meditation teacher, researcher, and licensed psychologist from the Netherlands.
For 30+ years, Ilka has worked with sacred sound healing modalities worldwide, including the ancient art of overtone singing (vocal harmonics). The Chinese Zhineng / Wisdom Healing Qigong ties in firmly with this music and is something the artist taught for many years.
If you have not had the opportunity to listen to the results of those studies and all that has worked collectively over the years for many people, then now would be a good time to start.
Her most recent release is Ocean of Light, a collection of eleven new-age instrumental tracks made for meditation. Eight of the eleven tracks are considerably long, making each a great tool for guided meditation through sound.
“Spirit Eyes” begins your path to healing sounds with Ilka’s amazing vocalizations. It is apparent immediately her voice is one of the main instruments in this recording. The soft synth layer in the background brings her voice to the front with elegance and beauty.
“Ocean Waves Overtones” begins with a heavier bass-sounding synth, and her voice sounds like a centering Om point. Then, it changes to a different tone as the music changes. The tones of her voice are incredible. As we move along the composition, we realize that what she is doing is distinctive and original. She can get high and low or change her intonations to fit the frequencies and harmonics of the music. At times, she sounds like a digeridoo, which is fascinating.
“Sophia’s Song” takes on a different tone and path with a nice acoustic guitar and the reliance on the higher vocals to fill in the spaces between the music. A flute arrives for more ambiance. It is beautiful.
“Abalone Skies” begins with a pulsating synth sound, and the vocals take on another tone to offset that as the flutes join in. Ilka reverts back to a more chanting/tribal mode, then back again to the humming, buzzing tone you hear briefly at the beginning. The way she switches back and forth is like her voice is a band within itself!
“Song Bird” begins with a drone sound, with bells ringing, the kind that sounds so beautiful, like when you hang chimes, and the wind blows, to create that organic symphony. The vocals come in, echoing like she is in a cave. A whooshing sound is added, and a very subtle percussive knocking sound, like a quiet xylophone, is added.
“Desert Dance” rings a bell, then a digeridoo or Jewish Harp sound comes to life, and some percussion begins, all sounding very earthy, like a spiritual dance for the elders before an offering or meditation. If you consider the track title, those comparisons seem to fit. Her voice sounds off in the distance in another direction; however, as usual, it is stunning. Things start getting more energized with the pace of the percussion and winding digeridoo/Jewish harp sound. This one is very mystical, and I loved it.
“Harmony Chant” is another glistening beauty, with Ilka’s lovely, wordless vocals leading the way to your place of comfort and healing. Like many other pieces in this collection, it is a harmonious chant, as the tones change during the track. The frequencies get your attention and, ultimately, your focus, which can be a great tool if your goal is regenerative meditation.
“Soul Shimmer” is an excellent title. Hopefully, after using this music to relax or meditate, your soul will shimmer with an inner light that may have been subdued somehow during your day. It starts with a light keyboard and those angelic wordless vocalizations. It sounds like an invitation to heaven, a musical soul food you will return to for a second helping.
“Light, Sacred Connection” is different in a few ways. It has lyrics with Ilka, showing how she can sing an entire song beautifully without changing her harmonics. It is warm and soft and so lovely. The length is 3:17, which is shorter than all the previous tracks. It is a step away from everything else to show another side of the most capable artist when called upon.
“Light Chant (Remix)” returns to the more extended compositions but starts with an acoustic guitar picked gently to match her vocals. Some nice woodwinds or Native Flute are added to give it a more organic earth tone, a nice addition. I could see where this lady could get full-time work providing backing vocals for numerous artists; however, what she does is much more valuable to an audience that needs it.
I had not heard “Healing (Remix)” before it was remixed. It is a reboot of “Light, Sacred Connection” and is just as beautiful, with a soft acoustic guitar, synth layer, gorgeous vocals, and emotive lyrics with such strong meaning.
This music certainly is an Ocean of Light. It is one of the more unique new-age releases I have heard in a long time because Ilka de Gast uses her voice as many instruments with varying harmonics. This is the perfect meditation recording.
"Ocean of Light" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Steve Sheppard
The new age genre continues to grow experientially, and fresh, great new music is flooding into the studios of our radio station regularly. We haven’t seen such a growth in this genre since the late nineties, and joining that throng is debut musician Ilka De Gast and her album Ocean of Light: Music to Soothe the Soul, a lush tapestry of sound and tone to create a state of healing for the listener to both enjoy, and feel benefit from.
From the point of entry on this new album by California based singer songwriter, sound healer, Qigong and meditation teacher, researcher and psychologist, who originally hails from the Netherlands, is a delightful reverie entitled Spirit Eyes, a transcendent offering that hovers like an autumn mist in October, and a flute by Tommy Graven that is so all encompassing, match this with tender female vocals and you have the perfect beginning.
The deeper realms of awareness can be found on the next track entitled Ocean Waves Overtones, this style of vocalisation I first became familiar with many years ago, its swirling harmonics create a bed of sound that is totally unique and transformative, the same can be said for the following narrative in Sophia's Song, a track written about Ilka’s daughter, and once more this Native American styled composition contains both the guitar and flute of the aforementioned Graven.
Abalone Skies is unique in as much that the composer De Gast learned to play Native flute especially for this very track, that being said this is one of the most vast soundscapes from the album, its back drop of sound is akin to an immense green forest, and her flute the call of a spirt guide that leads you on a path less trodden, this is indeed a mystical offering.
We can now take a careful footfall towards the middle section of the album and the piece Song Bird, the Koshi chimes in particular reminded me of the ones used in Deuter’s album Buddha Nature. The vocalisations here are incredibly powerful and dynamic in every way, and energetically open up a portal to brighter opportunities.
Time passes so slowly, as we slide into the latter half of the album, but what follows now is something deeply rhythmic in the new age style that I haven’t heard the like of since the days of artists like Sika and Steven Cragg, and the vibrancy of both the didgeridoo, performed byPamela Mortensen, and the tabla guiding the light along the way with this pulsating presentation on the track Desert Dance.
We change pace now with a composition entitledHarmony Chant; I found this specific manifestation a meditative arrangement that I could literally fall right into, the vocals here were soothing and ethereal in composition, and upon further research I would find that the song features an ancient Chinese healing mantra from the Zhineng Qigong. This resonated with me and reminded me of various Reiki chants and mantras I had learned from the Japanese healing tradition, many years ago.
On Soul Shimmer a classic new age styled opus is created, a veritable dance between lush ethereal vocals and keyboards, thus creating the perfect tone and timbre for relaxation and tranquillity, whilst on the following musical narrative entitled Light, Sacred Connection we have a gentle and considerate composition that has a texture to it, one that is deeply sensitive and heartfelt.
Light Chant (Remix) is our penultimate creation and a song that once more contains the work and skill set of Tommy Graven on acoustic guitar and flute. This tapestry of tonal delight floats with and around the listener in a mist of magical healing properties that offer up a soothing female vocal and a gentle backdrop of sound.
The album concludes with Healing (Remix), this time containing the serene tones of the harp, thus bringing a lighter energy into the proceedings, and in doing so was simply the most perfect way with which to leave the album.
Ocean of Light: Music to Soothe the Soul by Ilka de Gast is an album that needs to be listened to on repeat for a multitude of times; just to enjoy each tonal delight and each heart felt nuance, and meaningful touch of a healing meditative moment thus given. It is so good to hear such accomplished music like this back on the scene again, and is probably the album that the New Age genre has waited so very patiently for, and now it is here, so make sure you avail yourself of a copy of Ocean of Light: Music to Soothe the Soul by Ilka de Gast, it’s an album your spirit will fall in total love with forever
"Ocean of Light" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Are you familiar with overtone singing? I thought I was and wasn’t particularly a huge fan. “Ocean of Light” by Ilka de Gast is a game-changer, not just for overtone singing, but possibly
for the whole fabric of music to soothe the soul. Ilka de Gast, PsyD, is a California based singer-songwriter, sound healer, Qigong and meditation teacher, researcher, and licensed psychologist, hailing originally from the Netherlands. Over the past 30 years, Ilka has worked with sacred sound healing modalities from around the world, including the ancient art of overtone singing (vocal harmonics). She teaches meditation, Qigong and sound healing classes online as well as in person in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, and leads sacred sound retreats internationally.
Ilka’s meditation music is featured in Dr. Joe Dispenza’s advanced meditation retreats. Along the way, after studying overtone singing in London, and participating in a communication research project with dolphins, Ilka discovered that overtone singing could bring a magical sense of calm to both animals and people. Ilka began creating and recording her own musical creations in 2021, combining the other-worldly sound of overtone singing with her singing voice and a variety of other instruments such as Native American flute, to create soothing, relaxing, meditation tracks. On her musical journey, she’s had the pleasure of working with some amazing musicians such as Tommy Graven and producer Hank Kalleen who are featured on this, her 11-track debut album, “Ocean of Light.
”Ilka’s musical inspiration comes from the powerful, expansive Pacific Ocean. She spends many hours on the cliffs of the Bodega Bay Headlands, connecting to Source and allowing melodies and ideas to flow through to her while enjoying the stunning vistas, the company of whales and seals, and pelicans flying overhead. The album, “Ocean of Light,” opens with the ethereal “Spirit Eyes.” Along with the soulful flute of Tommy Graven, we have the beautiful vocals and vocal harmonies from Ilka. The song is a tribute to Ilka’s departed cat, and a reminder to look beyond this earthly life with our “spirit eyes.”
Overtone singing is an ancient technique whereby one person creates two vocal notes simultaneously, a base note, “fundamental,” and high bell-like sounds at the same time. “Ocean Waves Overtones” is a perfect endition of this technique. Here, we are taken on a mystical, meditative sound journey where we are invited to effortlessly experience a state of deep relaxation. Relaxing guitar and flute (Tommy Graven), along with Ilka’s amazing vocal performance in “Sophia’s Song” transport us to an equally blissful place. The song is a tribute to Ilka’s daughter. Just gorgeous, and if you don’t feel the tranquility seeping in gently here, you most likely never will. Ilka learned to play Native American flute for her performance on “Abalone Skies.” It’s not bad. Her other-worldly vocals atop a soft, droning bed lead us further into a state of serenity. Very nicely done.
Some other highlights: “Desert Dance” is a “worldly chant” song, which brings life force energy right to center.
“Harmony Chant” is a favorite with its soft Koshi chimes and the masterful incorporation of the ancient sacredchant, “Hun Yuan Ling Tong,” which translates to “transforming all disharmony into harmony.” Sweeping orchestral harmonies (Hank Kalleen) along with Ilka’s ethereal vocals, make “Soul Shimmer” memorable. This is really beautiful and another favorite, if one could even choose such things on this album.
“Light, Sacred Connection” speaks to the eternal connection between us and our departed loved ones. The vocal performance over soft synth pads is one of the most soothing you’ll ever hear.
This amazingly beautiful album closes out with the very peaceful and gently expansive “Healing.” Light and delicate with harp and beautiful vocals we are reminded here that we are the light, we are souls at our core, “pure and true.” We are encouraged “to let go into love, let go into healing.”
I encourage you to get this album for a deeply transcendent, meditative, and unforgettable experience.
Release date: February 18, 2025
"Ocean of Light" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Kathy Parsons
Ocean of Light is the debut album by Ilka de Gast. Originally from The Netherlands and now based on the Northern California coast, Ilke is a singer/songwriter, overtone singer, sound healer, Qigong and meditation teacher, researcher, and licensed psychologist. The music on Ocean of Light was inspired by the beauty and energy of the Pacific Ocean. The album's title also refers to a concept in Chinese Zhineng/Wisdom Healing Qigong that describes an ocean of life-force energy, "chi," or the loving higher vibrational universe that is all around us and that we can tap into at any time for health and well-being as well as connection to the divine. Overtone singing is an ancient technique where a singer creates two vocal notes simultaneously - a “fundamental” note and harmonic overtones that can be selectively amplified by changing the vocal tract. All eleven of the tracks on the album were released as singles from 2022-2024, although some of the album tracks are "radio edits" and a bit shorter than the singles. Most of the pieces on the album are very ambient and ethereal, and most of the vocals are without lyrics, making it very easy to get blissfully lost in the sounds of Ilka's hypnotic singing voice as well as Native American flute, guitar and synths.
Ocean of Light begins with "Spirit Eyes," a piece that was created when Ilke's beloved cat passed. Quoting Ilke's notes: "The title of the song is a reminder to use our 'Spirit Eyes' to connect with loved ones who have crossed over, rather than remain focused on the grief and suffering with our 'human eyes.'” The Native American flute played by Tommy Graven adds to the soothing quality of the music and Ilke's lovely voice. "Ocean Waves Overtones" is even more ethereal and ambient with a steady lower-pitched vibration supporting a variety of sounds in addition to Ilke's vocalizations. "Sophia's Song" was created for Ilke's daughter and features Ilke's vocals and overtone singing as well as Native American flute and guitar (both played by Tommy Graven) - very soothing! "Song Bird" features Ilke's vocals as well as the sounds of earthy wood chimes and Koshi chimes, a steady droning sound and synths. "Desert Dance" is very different from the rest of the album and features the powerful sounds of the didgeridoo, tabla, sitar, and Native American flute as well as vocals and overtone singing. The strong, pounding rhythms create their own special magic as the fascinating combination of instruments and the vocalizations via the didgeridoo tell their wordless tale - my favorite track on the album! "Harmony Chant" is more orchestrated, but is still very ambient. It features an ancient Chinese healing mantra, "Hun Yuan Ling Tong (HYLT)," which translates to "transforming all disharmony into harmony." "Light Chant" is a remix of "Harmony Chant" that includes acoustic guitar and Native American flute; the words of the chant are sung in English on this track rather than in Mandarin - very soothing, relaxing and beautiful. The closing track, "Healing," was created for one of Ilke's closest friends who has been dealing with cancer for more than ten years. Warm, encouraging and full of love, it's a beautiful ending to a fascinating album!
Ocean of Light is available to stream or download on Amazon and is on many of the streaming platforms including Spotify, Pandora and Bandcamp. The singles are available on Apple Music/iTunes. Check it out!
March 5, 2025
"Ocean of Light" by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Review by Janet Mawdesley
To be bathed in beauty is to listen to the most relaxing and delicate music created by Ilka de Gast with her debut album Oceans of Light.
Eleven songs transport you to the most mystical of places, as you allow your mind to open to the delicate, carefully woven sound of tonal singing backed with subtle electronic wash and delicate, meaningful chants, each song inspired by the ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean, a place where Ilka draws her inspiration.
The softly melodic Spirit Eyes begins a journey into sacred healing and meditation which offers a soothing and gentle moment to simply begin to relax before the almost monotone Ocean Waves Overtones allows the transcendental meditation to commence.
Each song is uniquely part of the whole, each piece allowing the next step into deep mediation to commence, or should that not be the desire, to sooth, calm and relax the mind for a short moment in time.
Desert Dance brings in a vastly different technique of tonal singing in the traditional style of the Tibetan and Mongolian Chants and when backed with gentle up-tempo percussion, brings this ancient art form into the modern world, offering a encompassing change of vibration.
The beautiful Light Sacred Connection is a song which can easily be used as guided meditation but is more of a gentle soothing chant to connect to ‘Source’ as de Gast refers to the world of the spiritual and divine.
Concluding a deeply immersive work is the chant Healing, sung with gentle precision asking for healing and gentle blessings from the Universe.
Ilka de Gast is a psychologist, singer songwriter who became fascinated with the field of Cymatics, the effect of sound on matter and began to combine her natural singing voice with tonal music in 2021, discovering this unusual combination became a profound and deeply relaxing vehicle for meditation. Oceans of Light places this music firmly in the world of New Age music with a flourish.
“Spirit Eyes” by Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Single review by New Age Notes Radio and New Age CD Staff
Most of us have experienced the death of a loved one or a beloved pet. When this happens, we have a natural tendency to grieve deeply and look at the “death” from our earthly point of view rather than with our “spirit eyes.” Looking at things this way, from a spiritual point of view, can drastically change our entire perspective for the better and can bring a sense of deep peace rather than feelings of lingering sadness and utter dismay.
If you are not familiar with Ilka, pay close attention. Her star is on the rise. She is an absolutely amazing vocalist/overtone singer whose music is often played at Dr. Joe Dispenza’s advanced meditation retreats.
A little background on Ilka: For the past 30 years, Ilka de Gast – hailing originally from the Netherlands, and now based in California – is a licensed psychologist who has worked with a variety of sacred sound healing modalities from around the world, including the ancient art of overtone singing (vocal harmonics). She teaches meditation, Qigong, and sound healing classes online, as well as in person, in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Additionally, she leads sacred sound retreats internationally.
After formally studying overtone singing in London, England, with Dr Jill Purce, who having learned this ancient technique from Tibetan and Mongolian chant masters in the Himalayas, was one of the first to bring overtone singing to the West, Ilka discovered that the use of overtone singing could bring a sense of calm and joy to people as well as animals. Ilka, at that time in her late 20s, first discovered this phenomenon when she began using the technique in a variety of settings, including a communication research program with dolphins at the Epcot Center in Florida.
As well as her profound and life-changing experiences with the dolphins, an ethereal “shared death experience” Ilka had when her first husband passed away at the young age of 31, opened her to the realization that there was something more than this physical world and the five senses; a spiritual dimension that lies beyond the veil. Ilka’s ethereal vocals seem to emanate directly from this place, bringing a sense of other- worldly calm and peace like nothing you’ve probably experienced previously.
Ilka has released 3 singles as a prelude to her upcoming 11-track debut album, which will be released early this year. The single we are reviewing here is radio edit version of “Spirit Eyes.” The song was created at the time of the passing of Ilka’s beloved cat, Albi. From the very first opening notes, you know you are experiencing something very different and special. This 6-minute piece features Ilka’s ethereal vocals and harmonies as well as the soulful sounds of Tommy Graven’s Native American flute.
Available as a 12-minute meditative track from Ilka’s website, the song is also available on all major digital platforms. Haunting, healing, memorable, and profoundly relaxing, this is a “must have.”
Album a "Game-Changer"
"Are you familiar with overtone singing? I thought I was and wasn't particularly a huge fan. 'Ocean of Light' by Ilka de Gast is a game-changer, not just for overtone singing, but possibly for the whole fabric of music to soothe the soul."
— Professional Music Reviewer
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