If anybody knows and understands how musical rhythms intersect, join, help, and ofttimes control human physical, mental, and emotional rhythms, it is Mickey Hart. A longtime percussionist for the Grateful Dead, he has studied the effects of music, and especially percussion music in cultures around the world. His enthusiasm for the-now-famous Global Drum Project has brought delight to millions of people.

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A short take on Mickey’s approach can be seen here. A longer clip is here. When you feel like you need a quick pick-me-up, put on some headphones, tune into these clips, crank up the volume, and float your way back to fine condition. Better yet, buy the CD. Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in the Global Drum Project, but I have every other kind of interest in it.

Mickey Hart produced The Planet Drum Album in 1991, which became an instant classic overview of percussion music from around the world.

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For many, it was the first experience hearing the extraordinary Indian tabla artist, Zakir Hussain. Hussain was celebrated in the US as early as 1975 when the superb English guitarist, John McLaughlin produced the Shakti Album. Hussain joined McLaughlin on guitar; L. Shankar on violin; Ramnad Ragavan on mridangam; and T. H. Vinayakaram on ghatam and mridangam. The album was released in 1976 and had 3 cuts.

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To see the young Zakir Hussain pushing his beloved tablas to glorious heights have a look here to see him play with the acclaimed santoor musician, Shivkumar Sharma. In the early 1990s, I was lucky enough to see Hussain play twice in the S.F. Bay Area in very small venues with an audience of about 40-60 people. It was a truly enchanting experience. When he plays with other musicians of any culture, they say that he climbs (politely) into their head and plays complementary to what they are playing and can anticipate what they will play.

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