Street and Gangland Rhythms: Beats and Improvisations by Six Boys in Trouble

This album features jams on homemade percussion instruments by six 11- and 12-year-old African American boys living in New York City public housing, about 1955. These young, untrained musicians improvise the tunes and tales of their upbringing on this rhythmic release and draw inspiration from family folk traditions and popular radio and juke box hits of the era. The group’s enjoyment is apparent in their school yard musical expressions, as is their self-identification with the community in which they live. The album is divided into three parts: Percussion Ensembles, Rhythms with Voices, and Rhythms with Verses. The liner notes provide a deeper look into each section, as well as a subsequent transcription of the lyrics.

Track Listing

101	Two Bongo Drum Sets and Sticks	Group of young boys on drums and sticks	00:59
102	Bongo Drums and Sticks	Group of young boys on drums and sticks	01:19
103	One Boy Playing Three Sets of Bongo Drums with His Hand and One Drum Stick	Boy playing bongo drum	00:31
104	Rhythm Ensemble with Voices	Group of boys in New York City	01:12
105	Zum, Zum	Boy singing and playing percussion, New York City	01:11
106	Ole	Group of young boys in New York City	01:33
107	Bo Diddlie	Boy singing and playing percussion, New York City	02:16
108	Gugamuga	Boys singing, New York City	01:25
109	Riding Hood Boogy Man	Boy singing and playing percussion, New York City	01:07
110	Sister Suki	Boys singing and playing percussion, New York City	01:23
111	Why Can't I Get It Too	Group of boys in New York City	02:21
112	Cha Cha Cha	Group of boys in New York City	01:25
113	The Fox	Group of boys in New York City	01:14
201	Gang Fight	Group of boys in New York City	02:21
202	Shoe Shine	Group of boys in New York City	02:42
203	Shoe Shine Shakedown	Group of boys in New York City	04:37
204	Dumb Boy	Boys singing and playing percussion, New York City	04:37
205	Money Honey	Boys singing and playing percussion, New York City	02:48
206	I Want Some Food	Boys singing and playing percussion, New York City	05:12