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Rare Essence | |
---|---|
Origin | Washington, D.C., United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 1976–present |
Labels | |
Members | Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson James "Jas.Funk" Thomas Ade"De-De"Folarin Leroy "RB" Battle Jr Michael Baker Calvin "Killa Cal" Henry Brion "BJ" Scott Samuel "GoGo Smoke" Dews Tabria Lampkin Darrell "Blue eye" Arrington Tony "Tony T" Chase |
Past members | Quentin "Footz"Donnell Floyd Davidson [1] Meshell Ndegeocello [2] Anthony "Little Benny" Harley Byron "B.J." Jackson [3] |
Website | link |
Rare Essence is a Washington, D.C.-based go-go band formed in 1976. [4] [5] Rare Essence has been amongst the most prominent musicians of the D.C. music scene, producing numerous hit songs in the local D.C. market and several hits nationwide, including the charting hit "Work the Walls".
Rare Essence was started in 1976 after childhood friends Quentin "Footz" Davidson, Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson, Michael "Funky Ned" Neal and John Jones decided to form a band. After school, the band gathered in their basements to play Top 40 hits from such influential funk bands as Parliament-Funkadelic, Cameo, and Con Funk Shun in practice sessions. [6] [7] [8]
Eventually the band took on more players and conformed to the go-go style and sound, which gained recognition in the mid-70s. Although the go-go beat had been originated by Chuck Brown, the characteristic four Congo style played by all subsequent bands was originated by Rare Essence.
Once the direction of the band was settled, Rare Essence along with Chuck Brown, Trouble Funk and Experience Unlimited formed the basis for the emerging go-go scene. By 1979 their ability to draw consistent local crowds was well established. As was the wide dispersal of bootleg tapes.[ citation needed ]
Many of the band's original members contributed to the D.C. style, one would go on to be one of the most dynamic and influential performers on the go scene. Anthony Harley "Lil Benny" was on the way home from his weekly trumpet lesson when he heard the sound of a band coming from a nearby apartment building. After a brief audition, in which he performed the introduction to Kool & the Gang's "Hollywood Swinging", he was asked to join on the spot. Soon after, the band called on the assistance of Quentin's mother, Annie Mack, who became the band's first manager.
Today, the band consists of twelve musicians who play a range of instruments from the timbales to the bass guitar. They play up to six nights a week, travelling throughout the country.
Rare Essence accomplished noteworthy successful hits as "Body Moves", the hit albums Live at Breeze's Metro Club , and Live at Celebrity Hall . In 1991, Rare Essence was offered a record deal by hip-hop producer Sean Combs and Andre Harrell (founder of Uptown Records), which resulted with the production of the single "Lock-It", which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1991 film Strictly Business. The band's most successful single, "Work the Walls", was released in 1992 and reached #68 in the US Billboard R&B chart.
In 1999, Rare Essence had some controversy regarding their song "Overnight Scenario", which was allegedly copied by Jay-Z in the song "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" and was the first single from his album, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter . There is an hour to hour account in the song "Overnight Scenario", and "Do It Again" follows the same concept. [9] For example, Rare Essence's line was “Three in the Morning the Pancake House” while Jay-Z said “4 AM at the Waffle House”. The question was whether or not the problem should be called plagiarism or just similar concept. The group had been performing the song for most of the late 1990s and was concerned about the copyright infringement that seemingly took place. Jay–Z's defense was that go–go music is just remakes of other artists’ songs.[ citation needed ]
In 2009, Rare Essence performed at one of the inaugural balls. In 2012, the group collaborated with the Soul Rebels Brass Band during a Tribute to Chuck Brown on June 21, 2012, in Washington, D.C., at the historic Howard Theatre which is re-opened in April 2012. Slick Rick was also on the tribute show. [10]
In 2018, Rare Essence collaborated with Ethiopian American singer Kelela, contributing a remix of her song "Take Me Apart" to her album Take Me a_Part, the Remixes .
Former drummer Quentin "Footz" Davidson was murdered on September 17, 1994, at the age of 33. Former band member Anthony Harley (Little Benny) died on May 30, 2010, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 46. [11] Byron "B.J." Jackson died of cancer on September 4, 2016, at the age of 52. [3] Former saxophonist Rory "DC" Felton was murdered on April 21, 2018, at the age of 57.
Go-go is a subgenre of funk music with an emphasis on specific rhythmic patterns, and live audience call and response.
Charles Louis Brown was an American guitarist, bandleader and singer known as "The Godfather of Go-Go". Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed around the Washington, D.C., area in the mid-1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.
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Go Go Swing Live is a live album recorded and released in 1986 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers. The album was recorded at the Crystal Skate and at the RSVP
Live at Breeze's Metro Club is a live album recorded and released in 1986 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Rare Essence. The album was recorded at the now defunct Breeze's Metro Club, a music venue formerly located on Bladensburg Road in the Gateway neighborhood of Northeast, Washington, D.C. The album is also referred to as The Album That Kept the Whole Neighborhood Rockin'.
Live at Celebrity Hall is a live album recorded and released in 1987 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Rare Essence. The album was recorded live at the now defunct music venues Celebrity Hall and at Breeze's Metro Club, both located in Washington, D.C. This album follows their 1986 live album Live at Breeze's Metro Club and includes the singles "Still Gettin' Buzy", "Whip It", and a go-go rendition of Kool Moe Dee's song "Do You Know What Time It Is?".
Go Go Live at the Capital Centre was a concert performance by various prominent go-go bands and hip-hop artists based in the Washington metropolitan area. It was recorded live in October 1987 at the Capital Centre. The double–cassette was released by "I Hear Ya Records" on December 18, 1987, and the video recording was released on VHS-tape by "G Street Express" on the same day.
Live – D.C. Bumpin' Y'all is a double-live album released in 1987 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers. The album was recorded live at The Crystal Skate in Temple Hills, Maryland.
Bustin' Loose is a studio album released in 1979 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers. The album includes the charting single and one of the all-time classic go-go songs "Bustin' Loose", along with a remake of the classic Jerry Butler's soul ballad "Never Gonna Give You Up" from the 1968 album The Ice Man Cometh.
Cat in the Hat is the first studio album by the Washington D.C.-based go-go band Little Benny & the Masters, originally released on cassette and LP in 1987. The album was remastered and reissued in 1990 on CD. The album includes the band's most popular hits "Let Me Show You", "The Message", and "Cat In the Hat".
The Beat: Go-Go's Fusion of Funk and Hip-Hop is a 2001 book written by Kip Lornell and Charles C. Stephenson, Jr. In 2009, an updated second edition of the book was published and retitled The Beat! Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C.
Funk Express is a studio album released in 1980 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers.
Body Snatchers is a studio album released on August 1, 1996 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Rare Essence. The album peaked at No. 60 Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums on September 28, 1996.
We Go On and On is a studio album released on May 26, 1998 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Rare Essence.
Greatest Hits is a career-spanning greatest hits album by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go musician Chuck Brown. The album was released in 1998, and consists of a compilation of a compilation of eleven digitally remastered songs from his previously released studio and live albums.
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