Harlem River Drive is a highway that slices through Harlem, letting cars and city - goers skip local neighborhood streets. In the 1970s New York ghetto, it symbolized the harsh social inequalities and racial unrest. Eddie Palmieri saw it as a sign of these modern disparities. His Harlem River Drive group was a top - notch ensemble uniting musicians from black and Spanish Harlem, who were facing similar hardships. The group included members from Aretha Franklin's orchestra, Bernard Purdie, Cornell Dupree, and key Latin musicians like Barry Rogers and Ronnie Cuber. This album combines Puerto Rican soul, Spanish Harlem Latin, New York funk, and jazz, unifying Harlem against the concrete odds. With tracks like the guajira - funk title track, the soulful “If We Had Peace Today,” the funk - guaracha “Idle Hands,” the Bitches Brew - inspired “Broken Home,” and the funk - mambo “Seeds of Life,” it's a high - energy record. It became a legend among DJs, rare - groove collectors, and underground leftist radicals. Although it didn't achieve the crossover success Palmieri and Roulette Records hoped for, its sound was ahead of its time, and its powerful socio - political messages still resonate today. It has 5 tracks and was released by Get On Down. It comes in a black vinyl pressing, originally released in 1971 and re - issued by Get On Down in 2018. Highly recommended.
This Harlem River Drive Vinyl LP is a great addition to your music collection. To use it, simply place the vinyl on your turntable, gently drop the needle onto the groove, and enjoy the music. When handling the vinyl, make sure your hands are clean to avoid getting dirt or oils on it. Store the vinyl upright in a cool, dry place to prevent warping. If the vinyl gets dirty, you can use a soft, anti - static brush to clean it. Don't use any harsh chemicals as they can damage the vinyl. This album is a classic, so take good care of it and it will provide you with years of listening pleasure.
