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