Chuck Brown at Rockefeller Park NYC

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In the shadow of ground zero, a go-go blast erupted in NYC to send the Big Apple
on an orbit around Washington D.C. Chuck Brown and his Soul Searchers brand of
go-go music (as is most of this genre) is so infectious that is does not allow
its fans to sit through a show (let the rhythm hit ‘em).

It’s beat and impulse are  akin to the late great Godfather of soul – James Brown. Go-Go’s Godfather Chuck Brown and his Soul Searchers came prepared with their PROPER UTENSILS, 2
percussionists, 2 keyboardists, 2 saxophones, a trumpet, a trombone,and three
rappers/singers (Chuck’s daughter,son and grandson). As heretofore mentioned
their is a RARE ESSENCE in go-go, with its heavy African influenced percussion,
and its mix of New Orleans Mardi-Gras horns, gospel music’s captivating feel,
reggaes off-syncopated beat, which collectively add up to – its hard not to
move/dance when go-go is going.

Chuck brought along a guest go-go master to share
the bill, Lil’ Benny of LIL’ BENNY AND THE MASTERS. For an EXPERIENCE UNLIMITED,
Chuck performed for more than an hour including his classics along with new raps
and reworkings of popular tunes. His selections included, Beyonces’ “Ring on It’
(with his daughter singing lead), Louis Jordan’s “Run Joe,” Willie Dixon/Muddy
Waters classic “Hoochie Coochie Man,” Lil’ Bennies’ “Cat in the Hat,” “Freaky
Deak,” Chuck’s classic “Bustin’ Loose,” Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing
if it Ain’t Got That Go-Go- Swing” and an encore dedication to NYC Dougie
Freshs’ La Di Da Di”.

As the music was playing the band and singers introduced NY
(or at least me) to DC’s dance craze “The Halle Berry”  Chuck Brown the Godfather of DC go-go music, has been performing this art form and has provided the youth of the Washington DC area an edutainment of sorts  (introducing them to the music of Duke Ellington, King Pleasure, Louis Jordan and many more icons) for at least a half a century. He is also a warehouse for
dance/soul music and great musicians (Miles Davis secured one of his great
drummers – Ricky Wellman – out of Chucks band.)

It is always great, particularly for me who spent years in DC, to get a dose of
pure go-go. There is none better to get that boost from than Chuck Brown. Yet
beware, it is well known in DC that too much go-go funk at one time can lead to
trouble as in TROUBLE FUNK.

This story is filed under: Entertainment

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