Customer Reviews

Go Go Swing

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I learned about Chuck Brown because as a drummer in highschool and all my friends being black, thats the music I learned to play with. Chuck Brown gets my body moving and even though I'm a white brother that can't dance, I love listening to this music. and even today 15 years later when I sit down at my drum set, its the gogo rhythm that comes out. Its a part of me.

Chuck Brown is probably the most unfairly forgotten artist in the US black music scene. This record is one of these rare opportunities, not only to get into connection with one of the most gifted artists of swing, but also with one of the best soul bands in the world (The Soul Searchers). Also it is a lesson on a style - or better a genre: the go-go music. Artists like Kurtis Blow and Trouble Funk were among the ones that inherited this still fresh tradition that unfornately not too much people pay attention. Mixing the harmonics of jazz with a incredible rythm-design - from which derives the bases to the first Soul II Soul recordings - Brown - even in his name - crossed the main themes of african-american modern music. It don't mean a thing - with you ain't got the swing - you can get it through this CD.

I grew up in the Washington, DC area were Go-Go was born and created by the one and only "Chuck Brown". Since moving away from that area, I have not been able to find any Chuck Brown CD's. So, I thank you Amazon for having so many Chuck Brown CD's. This man has had me Go-Go swing for many years. So, keep it going Chuck. (...)

While Chuck Brown's all time funkiest album is probably BUSTIN' LOOSE I think this one, 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 !

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.

If you're a native Washingtonian than you already know the man the legend that is Chuck Brown aka THE GODFATHER OF GO-GO. 'Nuf said. Chuck started the sound and I must say that Go-Go Swing is his BEST performance - but that's just my opinion.
If you haven't already started a Chuck collection, you need to add this CD to it. It's not to be missed.

Listening to this cd was like listening to your favorite classic songs had they been made in the 21st century. Chuck is way ahead of his time. His rendition of Go-Go swing is awesome. I love his rendition of Misty, Funny Valentine, and I need money! I am never without this CD when I traveling in the morning, evening or nights. I can listen to it over and over again without getting sick of it. He is in a class all by himself.

Chuck Brown is the god father of soul. he has a way of making the groove flow smooth and put the boogie in your but. If you don't belive me listen to run joe

First heard this as an impressionable teenager in Glasgow, Scotland. It blew me away then and it still does. A work of genius from the greatest showman and entertainer of his generation. Why is Chuck Brown not President?

I've listened to my Chuck Brown albums more than any others and can easily say he's one of my top ten favorites of all time. I was so excited when I first found this on CD and didn't have to listen to it on my worn out tapes any more. I'll buy any Chuck Brown that I can get my hands on. He's the reason that I have a set of 4 congas in my house.