HarlemLIVE

The rhythm that sounded so majestic to my ear had me in command to the street performers did the soul justice with their blends of sounds, reaping from the different variety of drums. The drums were the ever so special: the Kinjo, Jibe, Native drum and the Tambra. These performers went by Rodney, Al, Ktaki and the bunch, but I call them the “soul shakers”. Their syndication was perfected by intuition, threw explosive patterns of notes. This gathering was at 125 Street between Clayton Powell Avenue and Malcom X blvd, in front of the state building.
The most valued aspect to the “soul shakers” was the audience. Their liveliness was contagious, passers by joined in, massively bopping their heads, everyone had the fortune of not snapping their neck. A lady began to sing her vocals over the sounds it had her in a mesmerized attention that was unbreakable. Everyone was at the mercy of the music, marching to paradise. These weren’t your typical street performer drummers; this band of gentlemen had aura prevalent in all facets of their artistic expression.
The coordination by the acoustic band of drummers is a greater testament to all instrument players, which are a value to all societies. The last thing I can remember is that the “soul shakers” are exposing Harlem to traditional sounds that have been around since the beginning of time, the perennial drums have a stamp that’s going live forever. What’s even more evident is the passion this band has to bringing primitive renditions on pieces that will live a lifetime.