Sacrum Profanum (Poland)
Repercussions:
Steve Reich and Ghanaian Drumming

On October 1st in Krakow, Poland at the Sacrum Profanum Festival, Mantra Percussion and Ghanaian drumming master Gideon Alorwoyie, with members of his ensemble, present Repercussions: Reich and Ghanaian Drumming — repeating their National Sawdust program from December of 2016. The program wove traditional Ghanaian music and works by the minimalist composer, to put into context the influence Ghanaian drumming had on the music of Steve Reich, and the development of American minimalism.

In 1970, Reich traveled to Ghana to study with Alorwoyie, the former chief "master drummer" of the Ghana National Dance Ensemble. Currently director of the University of North Texas African Percussion Ensemble, Aloroyie is the High priest of the Yewe Cult of the Ewe people in southeast Ghana, for whom drumming is closely intertwined with spiritual practice. The visit inspired Reich's Drumming -- the work is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking works of the 20th Century. 

Timber Remixed

Our Timber Remixed album is available on Cantaloupe Music. The release includes a limited edition LP and a double CD with all 12 remixes plus a live concert recording of Timber by Mantra Percussion!

Order the CD and LP here!​

Remixes by:
Squarepusher
Jóhann Jóhannsson
Tim Hecker
Fennesz
Oneohtrix Point Never
Greg Saunier
Ian Williams
​Hauschka
Sam Pluta
HPRIZM/High Priest of APC
Ikue Mori
Mira Calix

In The News

The New York Times
Timber at BOAC Marathon
"seductive and accessible…
with steroidal energy"
— Zachary Woolfe

The New Yorker
The Most Memorable Classical Performances 
"…aural hypnosis"
— Alex Ross

TimeOut New York
Top Ten Classical Performances
"…superhuman"
— Steve Smith