musical streams of Ibrahim

For over forty years people all over the world have received and been touched by the artistry and music of Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim. Not to stop there, however; the multitude of musical gifts of the African tradition, and, more generally, the gifts of the deeply abiding traditions of peoples' musics and arts, are vital harmonizing mediums for the sensitive souls of people. Many people allow the artistry of such 'providers of joyful nutrition' to make an essential, sympathetic impression on their own life and creative work.

Will you share with others your experiences?

"Inspiration is a stream of wonder and bewilderment. Music should be healing, music should uplift the soul, music should inspire. The thought attached to things is a life power. In order to define it, it may be called a vibratory power. There is a thought attached to all things made either by an individual or the multitude, and that thought will give results accordingly. The influence put into things is according to the intensity of the feeling, as a note resounds according to the intensity with which you strike it. So it is according to the medium that you take in striking vibrations that the effect is made. In all things there is God, but the object is the instrument, and man is life itself. Into the object a person puts life. When a certain thing is made, it is at that time that life is put into it which goes on and on like breath in a body."

Pir Hazrat Inayat Khan

Mantra Modes's participatory mission is intended to evolve and reflect the community that comes into being around it's simplest resolution, artistry and personal engagement based in a transcendent source and tempered and guided by its roots eachof our lives.

This broadly conceived mission is intended to connect with the artistry and music of South African pianist, composer, band leader and educator, Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim.

Mantra Modes asks you to consider joining our initiatives. They are aimed at inspiring your contribution to this resource on the web; and at the development of a community of people woven together by a shared regard for creative music and the artistry for which Abdullah Ibrahim is an exemplification.

ONE, I invite any person who has been touched by this music to submit something about that moment of contact. These impressions, with your permission, will be used to develop a special section made up of personal submissions.

TWO, you're invited to contribute a one paragraph review of any Abdullah Ibrahim recording. I'd like to, especially, learn what is your favorite recording. Again, these reviews will serve as the foundation of a compendium of reviews.

THREE, if you are a musician or artist, and this artistry figures into your own artistic endeavors, you're invited to tell how so. These reports will be used to generate another ongoing section of this web site. (It is my hope that musicians and bands which are playing compositions of A.I. or styled or influenced by his music will utilize this mode to let the world know where you're at and when you're playing!)

FOUR, What would you like to see here? All possible contributions or suggestions are welcome here. If you have photographs, or information, or are an essayist, or would have questions, or have a sympathetic resource you are involved with, or could make a contribution not outlined here, by all means, feel free to create your own mode.

Thank you for all and any consideration~Stephen

Mantra-modes-L is a new interactive and participatory mailing list. groups.yahoo.com/group/mantramodes/ The list's mission:

Mantra-modes-L, an offshoot of the Mantra Modes web site, a web resource devoted to the artistry and music of South African pianist, composer, band leader and teacher, Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim, is now activated! Mantra-Modes-L is to be the foundation of a sharing of knowledge, experience, and mutual interests between listeners, musicians, and any persons around the world who are practicing some kind of engagement within the wider sphere of people's music and arts, or, the making and facilitation of musical artistry rooted in traditional principles. On Mantra-Modes-L artistic engagement encompasses both artist and 'audience'. Above all, Mantra_Modes-L is focused on the music and artistry and passion for the music of Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim, one of South Africa's shining gifts to the world of creative music.

TO JOIN: first join YAHOO, then join the discussion list

After you register, the moderator will contact you with the list's guidelines. These guidelines include a requirement to introduce your self to the list, and include one rule, BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER. The list has a high-minded mission, so it is essential participants respect the mission and each other.