The closer you get to the source, the more you begin to understand its essential nature.

In Western classical music the idea of holiness, purity, perfection, and total beauty is expressed through clarity of sound - a bell-like sound. Obviously, that has its own place, and it's a beautiful way of doing it. But I don't think I am the first to point out that in Africa, the more buzzing the sound is, the more it indicates the other world - the spirit world.

I think entertainment is a perfectly noble occupation.

I like to go to old versions and find out what effect beats and scales have on your body, how they can transport you.

I don't want to copy the people I admire - I'd rather find out what inspired them and try to find my own way through it.

On a very technical level, I am a geek who is interested in the intricacy of rhythm playing, so I like comparing and working out its details.

I have much clearer memories of my time in Egypt: songs on the radio, the rhythms that accompanied belly dancers, the sound of the adhan - the Muslim call to prayer. I just soaked it all up.