“I KNOW VIBRATIONS” in white text on an orange t-shirt. Someone make this and gift it to Laraaji next time he’s in town. When the man himself came to Creative Alliance, he navigated a gong like I’ve never felt before. Right hand melded with mallet, left with directional mic, he was the moon’s pull to that gong’s ocean. At this concert Laraaji encouraged spectators to cozy up by bringing blankets and pillows to the show, Tagarp schoolhouse style. As Laraaji was closing up his introductory percussive work and about to transition to the zither, a silenced covered the room. This enveloping silence was almost immediately ruptured by a supine young man’s flatulence, who right before the start of the show had crab walked into some prime real estate without a stake-claiming blanket or pillow. Giggles were had by all, zither magic was only shortly delayed.

Positive vibrations, Israel vibrations, good vibrations. Ever since the ‘60s vibrations have been in the American zeitgeist. Yet long before they have been part of folk, religious, and academic musical traditions.

A percussion-focused tritone:

“Music for 18 Musicians” calls for 2 maracas, 4 xylophones, 6 marimbas, and 6 pianos.

“Kings of Mali” includes 3 African Bailophones.

“Srimpi Kakarta” has inumerable