Go Go Music: Chuck Brown (DC’s Best Kept Secret)

Pete and I must have had a cross country mind meld, as I swear the post you are about to read was started on my laptop late Friday night.

“The Godfather of Go-Go”

My first exposure to Chuck Brown came earlier this year in the way of an interview with Mike Scott (Prince, Justin Timberlake) in Guitar Player magazine. While the good Rev. Scott gave utmost props to his former band leader he also spoke in great detail about “The Godfather of Go-Go” and how he shaped his sound growing up in D.C. I ran out and picked up “The Best of Chuck Brown” and immediately understood how. Take equal parts funk and Latin music, mix in a dash of soul and new jack swing (way before it’s time) and you’ve got the recipe for yet more break-filled music to move your rump.

Check out a handful of tracks, and if you don’t tap your foot, nod your head and wiggle in your chair upon listening, check your pulse!

Chuck Brown & The Soul SearchersIt Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (mp3)

Chuck BrownThe Love Theme From “The Godfather” (mp3)

Bonus Video!!

Here’s Chuck’s performance (With his band The Soul Searchers) of “We Need Some Money” from the 1986 movie Good To Go.

Buy: We’re About the Business | The Best of Chuck Brown

Links: Official Site | MySpace

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This entry was posted in Funk, Latin, Soul by Michael. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michael

"Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?" Musicologist by nature and not limited by any genre I am a fan of this thing called music in all forms.
  • http://www.2btheman.com Charlie

    I grew up in Baltimore and remember listening to EU and Rare Essence in the early 80′s. Thanks for the Go-Go history lesson.

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  • http://gogobeat.com/ gogobeat

    If you come to DC, check out a live show, we have a list of upcoming Go-Go shows on gogobeat.com …

  • Anonymous

    let me know where chuck is playing february 13th 2010 at taykanye@verizon.net