The Rare Essence Tree & Its Degrees of Separation (The Gospel According to Kato)

Being on top in the circuit of over 30 years in the game should have without a doubt thrust some strong enough roots in its foundation, giving it the ability to garner many branches based on the strength of it’s name alone. In the image below, we take a look at the tree of Rare Essence branches and its degrees of separation. LET ME BREAK IT ON DOWN ONE TIME: REDDS AND THE BOYS: Anthony “Redds” Williams – who played lead guitar for Rare Essence (during the area when Andre “Whiteboy” Johnson wasn’t able) went on to start his own … Continue reading The Rare Essence Tree & Its Degrees of Separation (The Gospel According to Kato)

DJ Rico Interviews Jas. Funk [VIDEO] / TMOTT Interviews Jas. Funk [AUDIO]

Noisemaker DJ Rico catches up with Go-Go Legend Jas. Funk (Rare Essence, Proper Utensils) during a birthday party celebration for Sugar Bear (EU). WATCH VIDEO CLIP BELOW – AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, CHECK OUT THE FULL LENGTH DETAILED ARCHIVED AUDIO INTERVIEW THAT FUNK WITH WITH THE TMOTT MORNING RADIO  SHOW – IN TWO PARTS: AUDIO INTERVIEW – PART ONE: AUDIO INTERVIEW – PART TWO: Continue reading DJ Rico Interviews Jas. Funk [VIDEO] / TMOTT Interviews Jas. Funk [AUDIO]

True Go-Go Stories: Byron (BJ) Jackson – (Rare Essence)

In this episode, Byron (BJ) Jackson talks about his Rare Essence days:  his producing of the Vinnie D track “55 Dollar Motel”, his work with the Doug E Go-Go Remix of “I’m Getting Ready”, the Go-Go Live at the Capital Center concert, out of town gigs, and other artists outside of Go-Go that he has worked with. http://www.trugogostories.com WATCH TRUE GO-GO STORIES CLIP BELOW: Continue reading True Go-Go Stories: Byron (BJ) Jackson – (Rare Essence)

Teach the Beat: Go-Go Music from West Africa to Washington, D.C.

Did you know that the beat that makes Go-Go music go is kin to the beats that were developed in parts of Africa many years ago?  Charles Stephenson and Kip Lornell, co-authors of The Beat! Go-Go Music From Washington, DC, will lead a discussion and demonstration on how Go-Go music emerged in Washington, D.C. Other guests are Shuaib Mitchell the director of the Straight Up Go-Go DVD, choreographer/dancer Melvin Deal, and musicians 32 of the Northeast Groovers and Go-Go Mickey of Rare Essence. Books and DVDs are available for purchase. Saturday, June 5 @ 1:00pm 1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020 … Continue reading Teach the Beat: Go-Go Music from West Africa to Washington, D.C.