For this special purpose a unique group of people had to be assembled. The musicians, each in their own way, had individually matured to the point of seeing music as a language that is capable of expressing our existence on many levels. The challenge for Steve and the musicians was to unify these varying conceptions under a guiding philosophy and then express these ideas through sound. It would be pointless to go on about the technical nature of this music as the original inspiration was perceived through vision, and it is the vision that is the point. The main idea is that the universe creates impressions, a kind of imprint, at any given time relative to a given place. The goal of The Mystic Rhythm Society is to capture the essence of these impressions using analogous musical forms and structures, then convey the various feelings, thoughts and experiences of the musicians through musical compositions constructed of specific universal impressions. Most of the compositions were conceived spontaneously within the sonic structures representing these impressions. This recording represents an initial move in this direction and is sure to influence any subsequent music of Steve Coleman. The lofty goal of the musicians was actually felt and expressed by many members of the audience present during these performances. It is the hope of all present on this recording that you enjoy the music and that you also can experience, through sound, the wonders of unity.