The concept of (appearing to) go in two different directions at once gives some intersting tension - in performance as well as music.  In an exercise with Dijana Milosevic of DAH Theatre, we ran around the room then had to freeze - and had to balance our body so that it was holding potential energy aimed in two directions at the same time.  (A simple image of this would be a ballet dancer bent forward, lifting her leg backwards while raising her arm in front of her.  Believe me, none of us looked like that...).

This double direction concept came up again this winter during Noh training.  While the concept forms a fundamental part of even how you stand still, you see it most dramatically in some of the movements where an actor slides backwards while opening his or her arms.  It creates a very distinct visual effect (especially with the gliding adding a sense of effortlessness).  This particular move I liken to the movie camera effect of panning out while changing focus.  You can feel things moving, but they aren't moving in the direction you'd expect.  During Noh training, I often was trying to add more movement in some direction than was actually necessary because, when watching, it appeared so much more was going on in that moment.

The same thing draws me to 6/8 rhythms.  They seem to be moving really fast, but then you find the 4/4 down beat, and the rhythm changes feel completely. 

This all came together for me the other night when I was talking about drum-n-bass music with my wife.  I was describing the effect of finding the half-time bassline in a fast jungle tune, and I was reminded of the best description I've read to describe drum-n-bass (from the liner notes of the 2-CD collection "Drum and Bass - Muzik Classics"):



If you don't know what that feels like (or you do, and wanna get some more) check out this local DJ.  He'll not only give you some jungle, he'll take you to the Amazon.  I plan on adding him to the BT Recommends list soon...