In 2000, Cari’s life and work took a dramatic turn upon reading the teachings of Toltec Shaman don Miguel Ruiz, author of the NY Times bestseller “The Four Agreements”. She delved into an apprenticeship with don Miguel, from which an album and a new music was conceived. A composition written to the words of Miguel’s ’The Circle of Fire Prayer’ seeded the musical journey to come. “These songs began to pour forth, one right after the other. It was like someone turned on a fountain,” says Cole. “As the material began to manifest, it was clear that a record was in the making.”

But if Circle of Fire is a musical alchemy of classic songwriting merging elements of pop, folk, rock and jazz with a new age contemporary twist, Cole interweaves her unique artistry, sonic vision and poetry of spirit into an expansive work. Compelling vocals soar and illuminate with poignant melodies that feel profoundly familiar and make the heart yearn with recognition. Musical traces call to mind echoes of artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Enya, Sarah Brightman and Celine Dion as if seamlessly spun into one. Cari Cole is a master-singer with a voice that is distinctly her own, emanating a power and grace that is nothing less than magical.

The Circle of Fire is rich in instrumental texture but beautifully spacious, honoring the integrity of the songwriting, which is as timeless as groundbreaking works like Carole King’s ‘Tapestry’ or Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’. Producer Paul St. James has created a definitive sound-scape for a music that transcends trend and a record that is highly accessible while remaining true to its authenticity and intent. Rooted by Cari’s exquisite piano, acoustic guitar and gorgeous vocals, and sculpted by the fretless bass work of Paul St. James and Larry Saltzman’s (Jewel, Simon & Garfunkel) ambient guitars, the CD hosts a spectrum of musical color in arrangements of violin, native American flute, and melodic drums and percussion that flow throughout.

The Circle of Fire embraces a wide audience with songs that are both universal and deeply personal. It is a record that speaks to all time, but to our time especially now. The CD’s title song is a musical composition created for The Circle of Fire prayer written by Toltec master don Miguel Ruiz. It is a call to our divinity and a call to dream, resonating like a great divining rod towards the road back to ourselves and each other. “The Circle of Fire” CD is an opus of love and Cari Cole is it’s ‘soul singer’, with a music that transforms the listener like gold through flame, in songs of heaven on earth.