Resources to understand meta4

Roots of the sound : To understand the foundation of our music, you have to go back a ways. A young singer asked me the other day about the roots of that gutsy but funky, soul-on-your-sleeve style with which we resonate, and I suggested listening to a bunch of people.

Think about the reaching out of suffering for redemption that is at the heart of gospel music. Think about the saudaude -- that untranslatable term from Brazil that means something like the sweet-sad halo of remembrance and longing. Consider the down-in-the-pocket roliing groove from all those New Orleans musicians, from Professor Longhair to Irma Thomas to Dr. John. In all these forms, there is a natural drive, a sense of life, and a direct connection to an inner light in the artist that is way beyond technique, talent or showmanship. And one more thing, there has to be an indefinable rhythmical hook that makes you want to move, that connects you to the ground.

The idea of metta
A basic tenet of Buddhist philosophy is the importance of extending loving kindness to all living things. You have probably seen the bumper sticker of the Dalai Lama's quote: "My religion is simple: my religion is kindness." Out of forgiveness, out of stillness comes a natural flow: may all beings be free from suffering, may all be at peace.
While our group wouldn't claim to be Buddhist, or anything else, when we sing together, we join in spirit -- we unleash something from each of us that grows larger as we blend together: we project an energy and an opening out to the world. Really, we get moved from our own singing! That's why we do it.