Russell Buddy Helm

INNATE UNIVERSAL INTELLIGENCE WITH RHYTHM.
THE UNIVERSE has an operating system. It is intelligence based on rhythm. When we access this intelligence through the laid back meditative grooves, we get “lucky”. That is the only word that really applies to the grace and good fortune that rains down on us when we drum with the Universe. The challenge is to let go of our “good fortune” and not identify with it. It’s life – Don’t take it personally. When our puny intellect catches a glimpse of the infinite, it usually shuts down. Too much to ponder. But when we go sightseeing in the cosmos with rhythm we are safe and can witness the infinite within a cocoon of coherent energy maintained by the “DownBeat”. This can happen with traditional African drumming if the players are willing to participate instead of compete. Same with Afro Cuban. The rhythms pump the player up and ego gets in the way of the download of universal inspirational insight. That is why after 60 years of drumming and teaching I still use the basic three pattern and the basic four pattern. These are familiar to our cultural mix and work as eternal highways to consciousness. Here’s hoping we don’t get lost along the way.

All folks need rhythmic nutrition
Its just like food. But more. Movement and rhythm are the basic building blocks of life. Using them, generates them. Rhythm generates movement. Movement generates rhythm. Being within that cycle assures us that we are on the upward climb toward consciousness. It is about bringing intention to movement. Life blooms on its own, but we bring consciousness to the event of life. And it is a circus too, hence the drum.

Chaz Chandler, organ player from The Animals, brought Jimi to London. Got him hooked up with management and started putting a band together.The British scene had sterilized the blues. Jimi ‘sat in’ at the Bag O’ Nails with Cream and blew Clapton off the stage. The word was out. Jimi was a real live authentic African/American (referred to as Negro in the English press), Blues guitarist. He scored the British military jacket on Carnaby Street. It was a red flag to the police. He caught some flak wearing it out, accompanied by his white girlfriend. Jimi knew what he wanted in a drummer. There were lots of auditions. Aynsley Dunbar was a great British Rock drummer, heavy and strong with orchestra fills. But he played without the loose, jazzy blues swing that Jimi needed behind his rhythmic guitar extrapolations. He demonstrated a swing feel on kit. Jimi playing relaxed and smooth, in control. Aynsley was the best, but a bit stiff. Jimi settled on Mitch Mitchel who had been a jazz drummer in London. He could swing. The rest is history.

This is the last 12 copies of the second printing of the first book, “Drumming the Spirit to Life” If you want a signed copy.

Let it flow. This is my office. People come to Bridges to Recovery, and they get better. Meditation drumming helps.