THE RHYTHM TEAM

MY BACKGROUND, INFLUENCES AND STYLE ALL CAME TOGETHER IN CREATING THE RHYTHM TEAM. I CONSIDERED MYSELF A PROTEGE OF THE BIG BAND DRUMMERS WHO OFTEN WERE THE LEADERS. A DRUMMER MUST HAVE A HORN SECTION TO REALLY FLY. IAM A BIG FAN OF BANDS THAT HAVE TWO DRUMMERS WHICH FATTENS OUT THE BACKBEAT BY A MILE. I LOVED GARY GLITTERS USE OF THREE DRUMMERS AND INCORPORATED THAT MODEL INTO THE PROJECT. SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE WERE ALSO A BIG INFLUENCE IN THE SELECTION OF THE MEMBERS. FOXY, TALENTED GIRL VOCALISTS ARE A MUST FOR AUDIENCE INTEREST AND WE HAD SOME OF THE BEST FROM THE NY SESSION SCENE. A DRIVING ROCKIN EIGTH NOTE MANTRA BASSIST PROVIDES THE PLATFORM FOR THE RHYTHM TEAM. A SPRINKLE OF KEYBOARDS AND ADDED PERCUSSIONISTS ROUNDED OUT THE CONCEPT. 

THE GUITARIST HAS TO CONQUER ALL OF THE MEMBERS BOTH MUSICALLY AND IN SHOWMANSHIP. LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE INCORPORATED A ROCK RAPPER WHICH WAS WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME. THE NY RECORD LABELS DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT TO DO WITH THIS AMAZING CREW THAT WOWED AUDIENCES AT THE MAJOR NY ROCK VENUES. THE ROCK CLUBS ENJOYED OUR ROLLICKING OVER THE TOP PERFORMANCES. THE SHEER SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE TEAM MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED FOR NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION.

THE BAND HAD A CONSTANTLY EVOLVING LINE UP THAT ADDED TO THE PROGRESSION OF THE TEAM CONCEPT.