Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits Vol. I

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD no doubt captures the raw elements that awarded Rare Essence the title of the inner city groovers. Starting with their first release of Body Moves (a tuned recorded when they were in high school) and ending with strong percussives drives of Holy Ghost, this CD is expanding over 15 years of that pure Washington DC Go-Go flavor.

As a native Washingtonian, I feel this greatest hits cd captures the essence of the Nation's Capital. This is a geniune article and should be purchased only by true go-go lovers. Our musical style can not be duplicated. Enjoy this flash from the not-so- distant past. A must have cd.

Lived in D.C. for 12 years....Chicago for 9 years....California for 4 years...so don't tell me I haven't seen and heard it all Nationwide (even hit it Overseas for a minute). When I mention Rare Essence, Trouble Funk, Little Benny & the Masters, Northeast Groovers, etc. etc on the left coast, they reply, "Who?", "What?". Their loss. I always wondered why Go-Go never made more than a local splash, but that be life, I suppose. This CD is pretty good exposure to the D.C. sound, but I have liked others better. This isn't even the best collection of Rare Essence grooves (what happened to Vol. II?). Little Benny & the Masters, "Cat in the Hat" is a classic that I would love to see released in CD form. Go-Go is still not well represented on CD, which is a shame. I think bad timing is the culprit, since its heyday fell between the old skool Rap sound (Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash) and the emergence of Hip Hop. Somebody with some juice in D.C. needs to get serious about compiling a real retrospective of this sound, or it will stay lost in the musical carousel shuffle. Bye.

Great compilation of their early hits. I'm looking forward to Vol 2

...to add to my ole skool go-go collection. DC's original Bad Boyz...
"Still Gettin' Busy" brings back memories of riding back to college on the weekends.
Thanks again Amazon for adding go-go to the line-up!!!

For those looking for a copy of "Go-Go Live at the Cap Centre" (I was there too!!) try PA Palace in Forestville or PG Plaza. Also try their site papalace.com. They maybe able to get their hands on a copy.

this is the phatest go go c

It's a DC thang. As much as people like to hope it'll hit the map and take off...the other states just don't get it. If you're not from here, don't be afraid to feel the funk...this album is classic go-go from one of the pioneering groups. I agree w/ the reviewer who said this release would be made perfect by the inclusion of a few other RE songs, but for any DC fan or brave, funk-lovin' new-comer...this is KEY. If the Californian wants his funk "dirtier", he needs to venture cross country and step into the pit.

This band epitomizes the height of what classic DC Go-Go music is all about. As one of the original bands that continues to promote the genre started by Chuck Brown, Rare Essence is an unmistakable part of the go-go lexicon spreading worldwide.

I have to put it down for the hometown! Essence been doin da DAMN THANG for ever! If you aint fron here,you cant feel this ....(Berkely,Ca??) I agree with the one who said that they are a few hits short. Hope they do make a volume II. I also in the same hunt as Karla Fletcher. Do anybody know how to get that Go-Go Live at the Capital Centre video? I was there and that was somethimg that I will never forget man!!!

ALWAYS ENJOYED SINCE I STARTED YEARS BACK AT CHERRY'S, THE GRILL, CANT FORGET THE COLISUEM, MEMORY GONE THERE WAS AN SMALL
CLUB ALL THE WAY DOWN ROUTE 3, RE W/REMEMBER. ALSO I AM TRYING TO GET A COPY OF GO-GO LIVE AT CAPITAL CENTRE CAN YOU EMAIL ME WITH THE INFO. THANKS KFLETCH90