When James Brown made his unexpected transition on Christmas morning, it changed the tone of the holidays for many people. In a way, this was only fitting, since he had changed the sound of modern music.

     Brown was called the Godfather of Soul. Funk, rap and hip-hop developed from the seeds he planted. More than most people realize, James Brown was truly one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians of the 20th century.

     For those who came of age in the ’60s, here’s a quick quiz. Do you remember the first time you heard one of his songs? Do you remember which one it was? Do you own any of his CDs, or even vinyl albums?

     There were a number of radio and TV specials that I was able to tune in, and to join in the wave of energy and love pouring out for his contributions was an opportunity not to be missed. I want to thank CNN for airing as much of the final celebration/funeral service as they did.

     If you saw that program, or any of the others, perhaps you found yourself “on the good foot” quicker than ever before. James Brown’s ability to transform and redefine an art form was based on focusing on the rhythmic components, rather than the melodic. Unlike most music of the time, the James Brown band featured extended grooves where all the instruments acted as percussive instruments, including James’ voice.

The Groove and Collective Brainwave Entrainment

     Although I don’t recall anyone speaking about the phenomenon in those terms, what audiences were experiencing when the JB Band was firing on all cylinders was a collective brainwave entrainment experience. You can certainly get a sense of this by listening to a CD or MP3 track on your personal player, but the effect was most powerful in a live performance.

     While still in high school, I was introduced to his music. Our lead singer knew all the words, and I learned the guitar parts. At first, coming from my jazz improvisation background, I remember wanting there to be more variation in the guitar part.

     But very quickly, I discovered the Zen beauty of playing that part perfectly, and locking in to the bass player and drummer. It was like being part of a highly efficient engine.

     I also learned very quickly that one could not “think” and play. Rather, I had to learn to shut off my left brain, and get totally into the Zone—where the music played itself.

     As it turns out, this was one of my first experiences in accessing a meditation state through music. And that’s where the connection to mantra, chant, entrainment and altered states of consciousness all come together.

     In the Tibetan Book of the Dead, it is written “Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream.” Well, in order to play most any of his songs, like I Feel Good or Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag or Get Up/Sex Machine, you had to turn off your mind and float on the funky rhythms. If you’ve never really listened to the way the guitar player functions as a shaker in a shamanic context, and how the bass player leaves a space that the bass or snare drum answers, I recommend that you put on some headphones, close your eyes, and check it out.

     Back in the ’60s, I had the opportunity to see him in person at the Apollo Theater. It was a life-changing experience. What an amazing explosion of energy. It was truly a collective high, a contemporary analog, perhaps, of the magical mysteries of ancient Eleusis. At the very least, I became familiar with the way that Spirit could manifest in a secular gospel performance.

     For about the next ten years, until I retired from performing with R&B bands, I always made sure we’d do at least one or two of his songs every night. This ensured that I’d be forced to lock into the groove and access the active alpha brainwave state that left me feeling so uplifted.

     One of the characteristics of meditation is one-pointedness, and that’s what playing, dancing, or listening to James Brown brought to the world of modern music. In a sense, he brought ancient shamanic sonic shapeshifting into the mainstream.

     And in at least one dimension, it helped pave the way for the alpha wave entrainment of New Age music, though we approach it, in general, from the complete opposite, non-rhythmic direction.

     I don’t think you’ll find too many other musicologists offering this for your consideration, but, as the work of Morton Marks and other cross-cultural explorers and authors has documented, there’s much more going on than just the words and the notes.

     It’s about energy. And frequency. And consciousness. May we all keep some good groove in our lives in 2007.

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© 2007 by Steven Halpern. Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, recording artist and author whose music has touched the lives of millions worldwide. He’s a pioneering sound healer who has helped bring the field into the mainstream. A long-time student of esoteric mysteries and leading edge energy medicine, his latest releases are Initiation: Inside the Great Pyramid and Tonal Alchemy. To hear samples, visit www.stevenhalpern.com. Unknown to many of his fans, Steven had a successful earlier career as a trumpet player/jazz-rock fusion guitarist. Anyone with a video clip or bootleg recording of his bands, please contact him immediately—you will be rewarded with free CDs!

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