Music
Press
At yesterday's soggy Carribbean Festival at Penns Landing, Khamuo Heru of the Afro music band The Urban Shamans help keeps spirits up. - Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug. 20, 2007
It was a rainy Thursday and the club was partly crowded. The mood of the crowd was just like the rain. A few moments later that would all change. The quiet girl who sat by herself would begin dancing, the sister that already came in with her own joy began to shout...these women were just several of the people who were swept away by the healing rhythms of The Urban Shamans. The tune was called Rhumba and everytime they play it, I've watched the vibrations and energies lift up to the ceiling.
Interview excerpt from article:
Q: What is your comment on the healing powers of music?
UrbanShamans: The positive message in music can help redirect a person's thinking. Spiritually, music helps change a person's emotions. Physically music helps activate the nervous system. On a social level, music helps unify and bring together community and all generations. - Writer Blocks, Spring 2007
Discography
The Urban Shamans anticpate a summer 2009 release for their long-awaited album. Below is a partial list of their current works:
Urban Shaman Anthem- Afro Hip-Hop
Love For The Most High (Original by Black Uhuru -Guest Who's Coming To Dinner)
Rising Sun
Rumba Philly Style
Melanin
Government Injeel Rev. I
War World IV Rev. II
Step Up
Churchical Vibratio
Electric Crickets
Fatherhood original by Black Uhuru Promise Land
Kane & Able Original Jam On IT
African Nites
Broad & Chestnut
Photos
Bio
View video at http://www.reverbnation.com/theurbanshamans
The Evolution
The Urban Shamans represents more than just a band. The members, all with their own uniquely identified musical footprints, agree that there is a strategic method to establishing a movement. A movement that is capable of transforming a world community that embraces peace, love, balance, righteousness, and harmony.
Prior to the year 2000, The Urban Shamans was yet to exist in the conscious world. However, the universe had already begun to work its magical illuminations. Although each individual band member was moving about in their own paths, it was the chance meeting of Khamuo Kamel Heru and Brother Levi Hudari Sungu Ra (The Traveler) that the notion of this band began to emanate. The two, who met at the Community College of Philadelphia, shared commonalities in music, community, social activism and brotherhood. Before collaborating with music, the two implemented various programs around Philadelphia to empower and motivate the youth.
Brother Levi's moniker, The Traveler, is true to the essence of who he is because many of the other band members would come through their acquaintances with him. Working through Brother Levi, the universal forces brought Brother Mavro Elite to the Gallery Mall in the center of the city where Brother Levi was playing his drum. Fascinated by the rhythms of the drum, Mavro rushed to a nearby store to purchase a $2.00 whistle. Thus, another crucial connection was made.
Another founding member of the Shamans, Sister Britney, who now resides in California, was influential in creating the initial rhythms and sounds of this group. Although Britney is not physically here as a member now, her essence will always be apart of the band.
As an elder musician for many years, Charles Timmons, or Timi Tanzania as he is most commonly known, gravitated toward the band and added his musical style and flavor. While assisting as a band consultant with Khamuo and Mavro, reformed hardcore rapper Khalief Khadafi (a.k.a. Konfidential) evolved into an Urban Shaman. Konfidential's lyrical finesse was a natural fit to the band's calling. To add to the vocal components of the Urban Shamans, Se Khetmet Het Heru Ra (Latrice Patterson) is the most recent addition to the circle.
The Vision
In 2004, the band officially formed as a unified entity, calling the unit The Urban Shamans. A Shaman is one whose is capable of healing and transforming a person through spiritual means. More than a band emitting music from instruments, The Urban Shamans envisioned themselves as a collective group yearning for a connection to its audience--an audience who would then vibrate with those African rhythms from the Djembe, the rift of the guitar bass, and the lyrical flow of the spoken word whether via song or poetic means.
The Mission
The Urban Shamans has uniquely defined their mission, using musical vibrations in order to move a people to action, change, spiritual connectedness and prosperity. Through musical expression, in many of its forms, this band of visual artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, healers, designers, and activists is unified to speak truth in order to bring cultural enlightenment, prosperity, unity, love, balance, harmony, healing and health to the community.
Links
