Search - Chuck Brown :: Go Go Swing

Quintessential Listening by a Quintessential Legend

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 10/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Chuck Brown's all time funkiest album is probably BUSTIN' LOOSE I think this on, GO GO SWING is the one that really defines his sound, sets the tunes that you'd expect to hear at his shows and is most remembered... making this a must have recording.



As for Chuck Brown himself - - for most black people who come from the Baltimore/DC area, having to explain who Chuck Brown is would be like having to explain to an Italian what Pizza is... Sadly, outside that region Chuck Brown and the miracle of go go is something taken for granted, as are the legendary go go bands that followed in his shadows (Trouble Funk, EU, Rare Essence, Little Benny etc.) - - In fact, Hollywood only made one attempt to exploit it, in a half way decent film with Art Garfunkle called GOOD TO GO, then just GAVE UP ! ! !



But what about those of us less fortunately folks who didn't grow up in the hidden shadows of the White House (If you watch Gil Scott Heron's Black Wax you can best understand this reference...) Well the truth is, those of us who haven't been lucky to chance upon Chuck Brown are definitely those less fortunate... Many college kids have picked up on Chuck, and he even has a cult following in Japan, but ask the average American who Chuck Brown is and many don't know ! This is tragic because not many men can claim to have invented their own genre of music, let alone own rhythm, concept and who even in their early 70's can get up on a stage with young hip hop artists and demand just as much respect and dancing.



But just exactly who is Chuck Brown ? This CD sorta answers it. By combining funky, hypnotic, "hip hoppish" conga rhythms, mean slap bass, and everything from rap to Jazz standards with Jazzy horn vamps in the mix, Chuck Brown can take a tune like MY FUNNY VALENTINE and have people shaking their booties to it as the music goes non-stop all night... In fact that was his concept. The story in the Godfather's own paraphrased words... "One night I realized that whenever the band stopped playing, the dance floor would clear, so I decided to keep it going, at that's how go go was born..." So with Chuck, when the grooves stop, the congas take over and Chuck might go from singing a funked up version of It Ain't Got That Swing to a Doug E. Fresh rap. Conclusion... GENIUS. Chuck Brown IS both America's greatest jewel and America's darkest shame... When a man like this can walk the streets unrecognized in many other parts of the country without young fans following him and screaming "Wind me up, Chuck" it does not paint a pretty picture of American's appreciating a KING in their midst... and lets face it, the friendly faced kind Uncle looking guy (he tends to smile a lot for a guy who's so funky and hard edged !) is no average Joe... He's the GODFATHER OF GO GO. Listen to this CD and you'll understand what that means !"

Pipwax

David D. Pippen | Atlanta, GA United States | 06/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have this Tape and It is the best I have ever heard of chuck and I love it, not only is chuck in his zone but he put you right in the zone with him. Chuck can ride with me any day."