CD Review

Rare Essence
We Go On & On
By DeLano McRavin (The Hightly Educated One)
 

When I received this assignment, I must admit I thought it was a joke.  “You want me to do a Rare Essence review?” I am still suffering from this recent Junkyard break up, but nonetheless I am a true solider and I do as I am instructed.  So as I popped in the latest release from the Inner City Groovers, “We Go on and On” they pleasantly surprised me.  Immediately as I began to nod my head to the energetic “Player Haters” (the catch phrase of 98), I knew this couldn’t be all bad.  “Player Haters” features a pulsating bass guitar line courtesy of Michael “Funky Ned” Neal and some of Milton “Go Go Mickey” Freeman’s finest work on congas, after listening to this a second time I was ready to get back “On the Wagon.”  This 16-track collection of studio tracks wrapped around live cuts and a few amusing skits, made Rare Essences’ journey back into the retail market most satisfying.

With a few guest appearances from some of DC’s finest talent, RE does not disappoint its loyal fans.  RE’s second cut gives us the socially conscious tune “What would you do for the money?” this song tells the story of the sordid lifestyle of the drug game.  This track along with B-side selection “Watch out now!” which feature the lyrical talents of Nonchalant, does its best to enlighten the Go Go community. “Watch out now!” give us a smooth mellow groove that allows Nonchalant and Donnell Floyd pleasingly to exchange their own special brand of lyrical lingo.  “Overnight Scenario” which details’ life after the party,  is extremely radio friendly and will be very popular with  mainstream fans.  This cut will have RE in the daily radio rotation for months to come.  Next, RE digs into the crates and resurrects two Whodini favorites.  The rap classics “Freaks Come Out at Night” featuring DJ Flexx  and “Friends” restructured to become the RE tune “Freaks” both are refreshing live covers with some of RE’s own special flava.

On the song “Stars Be Partying” this tune displays the verbal workings of area rap icons (the Rigged Raw One) Stinky Dink and Hechinger Mall Kidd.  These two rap artists drop by the studio to remember the party spots past and present.  This track is a head-bobber and these two artists’ styles compliment each other very well.  Stinky Dink and the Hechinger Mall Kidd may want to consider combining their talents and visiting the studio again? .  The true gem on this album marks the return of three former RE members. Anthony “Little Benny” Harley, John “JB” Buchanan and Byron “BJ” Jackson makes their return to the band Rare Essence a memorable one.  The tune is the albums’ title track “We Go On and On” and is a wild ride into the past on the RE Express.   The track better known to older RE fans as  Kool and the Gang’s/ RE’s “Jungle Boogie” features these two Go-Go All-stars and DC’s own DJ Kool.  This tune brings back memories of the “One on One” and “Body Moves” and when they decide to “Back it up” I felt something I have not felt in quite sometime . . . I felt “The Wagon” move.

The final entry on this CD is a somber tribute to Quentin “Foots” Davidson and others that have passed on.  The song reminds one of Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s (T.R.O.Y) “They Reminisce Over You”  and tells of the joy and pain that come with the loss of a loved one.  This was a compassionate way to wrap up a truly pleasant ride on the RE Express.     T