By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com
Uncommon Essence, Washington, D.C.’s iconic go-go band, has carried out to the delight of its ever-growing fanbase for greater than 4 a long time. Now thought-about a D.C. establishment, the band has secured a throng of supporters which right this moment represents a number of generations and ethnic teams.
All of it started again in 1976, when the fledgling band rapidly attracted a small however devoted cadre of followers who have been drawn to the indigenous funk sound first created by musical wizards like Chuck Brown, also known as the “Godfather of Go-Go.”
And make no mistake–go-go nonetheless guidelines within the District and the broader metropolitan space as was evident on July 20, when Uncommon Essence appeared earlier than a full home for a night funk fest at The Tavern at Ivy Metropolis Smokehouse within the metropolis.
As all the time, they delivered what their followers have lengthy come to count on – a foot-stomping, finger-popping, musical interlude of their best-loved songs and instrumental creations that stored followers on their ft till the final beat of the drums reverberated on the venue’s rooftop.
Years in the past, rap pioneer Doug E. Contemporary, who usually collaborated with Uncommon Essence and counts as considered one of a number of artists who would incorporate the go-go percussive aspect into his personal recordings, described them as “The Wickedest Band Alive.”
Darryll Brooks, a extremely revered live performance promoter, businessman, and a D.C. legend himself with a profession that spans greater than 5 a long time, was instrumental within the improvement of Uncommon Essence and different go-go teams again within the ‘70s.
Whereas some could also be unaware of Brooks’ significance within the band’s improvement, he was considered one of solely a handful of promoters who supplied a platform for the rising artists when others have been reluctant to embrace the go-go sound.
“They’re nonetheless among the finest, and so they’ve all the time been among the many higher echelon of go-go teams,” Brooks mentioned. “I knew once I first heard White Boy and the remainder of the group that they’d one thing particular, and I used to be honored to help them as they gained recognition within the District and past. Their sound is exclusive and particular and that’s why they’re nonetheless acquired with a lot love and enthusiasm by anybody who likes the go-go groove.”
Chris McLaughlin, a D.C. native, mentioned his fondest recollections embody the second in childhood when he first grew to become enamored by Uncommon Essence.
“I really like them simply as a lot right this moment as I did once I was a toddler again within the ‘80s,” he mentioned. “Their sound by no means will get previous, and I nonetheless hearken to them often. I can acknowledge Uncommon Essence after only a few notes are performed by the band. And as a D.C. mainstay, they proceed to function one of many metropolis’s greatest and most inventive go-go bands, bar none.”
One other fan, Anthony Selby, mentioned he was a stranger to go-go music when he first moved to the nation’s capital from his hometown in Delaware. However it didn’t take lengthy for him to grow to be an ardent supporter.
“They’re an amazing group, and whereas I haven’t seen them carry out shortly, I nonetheless hearken to their recordings,” he mentioned. Their sound is authentic and vibrant, and so they have stored the custom alive. What I like most about them is their willingness to offer free concert events repeatedly for his or her D.C. followers. It’s by no means been concerning the cash or stardom for them. It’s all the time been concerning the music.”
