Go-Go Loops: A Cultural Journey

The term “The Go-Go” referred to local music clubs in African American communities, where local funk and soul bands like The Young Senators, Chuck Brown & The Los Latinos and Black Heat performed the latest Top 40 hits.

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers release their first studio album “We The People” on Sussex Records. 

Black Heat released their second album “No Time To Burn” on Atlantic Records which charted at 46 as a R&B single, and 58 as a Top Soul Album. At this time you can hear the a heavier percussive presence start to take shape in the music,  and this Influence Brown attributes to his time with the Los Latinos.

As the funk/soul sound evolved and local bands began to morph into a new DC style, laden with strong percussion, call and response. Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers began to cover a song called Mister Magic by Grover Washington Jr., which I believe provided the blueprint of the drum beat pattern which became the core of what the Go-Go Beat is still today. The Go-Go Swing! Acknowledgements to Harvey Mason who played drums on Mister Magic. 

In October 1978 Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers released “Bustin’ Loose” (MCA) which reached 31 on the US charts and gained gold certification.

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers lay the foundation for Go-Go music, introducing a new sound that captivates audiences with its rhythmic groove, and keeping people on the dance floor by blending one song into the next via percussive beat breaks. In 1976 The Rare Essence band was born and soon after adapted the new Go-Go sound. Rare Essence originated the 4 conga style played by all subsequent bands. 

Go-Go music gains national attention with the release of ‘Bustin’ Loose’ by Chuck Brown, bringing the genre into the spotlight. Trouble Funk’s “E-Flat Boogie” (D.E.T.T) single peaks at 72 in the US. The Junkyard Band is formed.

New Bands emerge and others conform to the new Go-Go style which is becoming very popular. Trouble Funk records a live album “Straight Up Funk Go-Go Style” (JamTu).  E.U releases an album called “Just The Way You Like It” (Inner City), and Rare Essence drops the single “Body Moves”. All the while the music is being spread via bootleg recorded tapes from live shows.  

Trouble Funk released “Hey Fellas” from the “Drop The Bomb” album, which peaked at 63 on US R&B charts.  

Junkyard appears in a Calvaliers men’s clothing store television commercial. Trouble Funk releases “Trouble Funk Express” which peaked at 77 on US R&B charts.

Chuck Brown’s “We Need Some Money” single (T.T.E.D) lights up the airways. The success of these recordings and consistently performing live in the DMV region, landed Chuck Brown & Trouble Funk on tours in the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and Japan. “.

In 1986 Junkyard released their timeless smash “The Word/Sardines” single (DefJam). The same year Rare Essence releases “Live At Breeze’s Metro Club” album (Kollossal). Chuck Brown releases The classic “Go-Go Swing Live” album (Future Records)

Go-Go Live at The Capitol Centre! A monumental moment for the culture. Chuck Brown, Experience Unlimited, Rare Essence, Lil Benny & The Masters, Hot Cold Sweat, Junkyard, and more. Having all these dynamite bands performing under one roof made a major statement for Go-Go, and inspired a whole new generation of musicians.  

EU (Experience Unlimited) teams up with Spike Lee to create “Da’ Butt” single (EMI) which became a classic party scene in the “School Daze” movie, and the soundtrack as well. Da’ Butt had major success reaching #1 on the US R&B charts, as well as other chart positions. Junkyard performs “Sardines” in an appearance in the DefJam movie “Tougher Than Leather”. The compilation album “The Go-Go Posse” (I Hear Ya!) was released featuring Rare Essence, Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers, Lil Benny & The Masters, E.U, and DC Scorpio. 

Junkyard releases the “Live at the Safari Club” album (Street Records).  EU releases “Buck Wild” which rises to #7 and “Taste of Your Love” peaks at #4 on the US R&B charts. The first all girl Go-Go Band Pleasure releases the PA tape “Party-Boom Box Edition” (Sound By Charlie).

Rare Essence was offered a record deal from Sean Combs and Andre Harrel (Uptown Records), which resulted in the creation of the “Lock-It” single, which was featured on the movie “Strictly Business” movie soundtrack. Junkyard released the “Don’t Sleep on Us” album (Street Records).

Junkyard releases the “Ruff it Off” EP (Street Records). Rare Essence releases the “Work da Walls” single (Sounds of The Capital), their most successful song to date, and it reached 68 on the US R&B charts. The “Metroworld TV” cable access show brings Go-Go performances and DMV culture into our living rooms . 

Rare Essence released “Must Be Like That” and “The Brothers/Comback) singles (Rare One/Sounds Of The Capital). Northeast Groovers drops 3 singles, “The Water”, “Van Damme” and “Twenty Minute Workout” (Future-Liaison). The Go-Go style starts to shift into a harder, more edgy sound, somewhat mirroring what was happening with the rise Gangsta Rap and cult classic cinema at the time ie. (Boyz N The Hood, Menace 2 Society). The front line of Northeast Groovers arrived to the in a helicopter at Wilmers Park and delivered some serious crank.

Junkyard Releases The “Creepin’ Thru Da Hoods” album (Street-Liaison) with hits like “John Wayne, Loose Booty, Clap to The Beat”. Northeast Groovers release the “Straight From The Basement” album (Future-Liaison) including “Booty Call, Hey Ho, We Come to Party”. Backyard releases “Real Niggaz” album (Sound By Charlie).

Go-Go Music is spinnin’ on multiple radio stations and the DMV was in Full Go-Go Swing! The Huck-a-bucks released “Chronic Breakdown” and “Live”(Liaison), which contained songs like “The Bud, It’s Time, Sexy Girl and Can I Get Down”. Backyard releases “We Like It Raw” (Future Records & Tapes). The ASR 10 keyboard was in demand, and Go-Go bands were using samples more than ever.  Flava 1580 am hit the scene and amplified the voice of the people, underground artists, and bands on their airways. The rivalrous levels of competition on the circuit inspired any and all bands to bring their A game. The new generation of bands all in their prime: NEG, BYB, Huck-a-bucks, OpTribe, Pure Elegance,  Publicity, Precise, and many more! 

Rare Essence releases the “Body Snatchers” (Sounds of the Capital-Liaison-Rare One). Junkyard releases “Reunion 95” and “Go Hard” (Street Records). Pure Elegance releases the “Keep ya Movin” album (Future Records & Tapes), which had great radio success with songs like “One Leg Up, Mix It Up, and Mighty Mouse”.

Backyard releases the album “Hood Related” (Future Records & Tapes). The Huck-a-bucks release “You Betta’ Move Somethin” double album (Sound by Charlie-Liaison).

Backyard releases the “Skillet” album (Future Records & Tapes). Northeast Groovers release “Northeast Coming” (Listen Up-Liaison), and “Northeast on Fire” (Future-Liaison). Rare Essence releases “RE-2000” album (Rare One-Liaison) which included the “We Push” single feat Redman.