Wendy Jane's Soul Shake

Chuck Brown, dubbed the godfather of go-go music, passed away on May 16th, 2012.

In March, I had posted what was probably his most well-known song, the only one to make the Billboard Top 40 during his career, Bustin’ Loose.  I still love, love, love this song–it’s like the soul of James Brown, meets the funk of Parliament, meets Latin big band.

Chuck was called the godfather of go-go music that came out of the Washington D.C. area in the late 70’s.  He’s said to be the originator of this blend of funk and Latin percussion, and call-and-response style of singing that became a cultural source of pride for the area.  The music style got it’s name, Chuck says, because “the music just goes and goes.”  To honor his musical contributions to his hometown, there’s now a street in D.C. named Chuck Brown Way.

If you want to see the original post I made in March, and hear Bustin’ Loose, click here.

For today, I’m posting below another well-known tune, We Need Some Money.  Rest in Peace, but keep on go-go-ing, Chuck!

This week in March in 1979, Chuck Brown & The Soul Searcher’s song, Bustin’ Loose was Number 1 on Billboards’s R & B Top Ten List. It was my senior year in high school, and funk and soul music was in its prime.

I remember it clearly.  I danced to this song with my friend Cathy, another white girl with a whole lot of soul. Cathy and I would put on our 12” disco singles, like this one, or Heatwave’s Boogie Nights, or Chic’s Good Times, and  practice our dance moves—the Freak, the Spank, and just  free-style dancing, in the full-length mirror of her brother’s bedroom.

 Bustin’ Loose was so funky—in a way I hadn’t heard before. I love the horns, and the percussion.  Also, I’ve always said if I could play any instrument, it would be the base guitar, because that was where the funk came in.  Bustin’ Loose reinforces that note, with a funky, or as I’d hear some guys say, stinky, base line.

When searching for this song about a year ago on youtube, I came across another clip, an interview with Chuck Brown. This song was considered part of the Go-Go music scene coming out of D.C, and Chuck was considered the Godfather of Go-Go.  To hear more about Chuck Brown’s musical contributions and the evolution of the Go-Go movement ,  watch this video from www.visionaryproject.org