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Rare Essence started as the Young Dynamos in the early 1970s, but under the guidance of Chuck Brown it became known as “Rare Essence” and quickly became one of Washington, D.C.’s top Go-Go bands in a very competitive live music scene. Go-Go, a rich combination of jazz and funk, with tribal beats, melodic grooves, call-and-response and intricate percussions, is considered to be indigenous to Washington, D.C.
Quenten “Footz” Davidson, Andre “Whiteboy” Johnson, Michael “Funky Ned” Neal and John Jones formed the band by learning top forty hits after school. As the group added more players, it formed its Go-Go sound and became known to its fans as “The Wickedest Band Alive.” Rare Essence gained widespread popularity due to its expressive and precise percussion and ability to play party music that never seemed to stop. Its “Work the Walls” landed on Billboard’s Top Ten in 1992.
For more than 25 years, Rare Essence has continually re-grouped, shifted directions, continuing to play concerts and make recordings. The single “Lock-it” was featured on the Strictly Business soundtrack. Today Rare Essence is: Jas Funk, vocals; Mike Baker, bass guitar; Quinten ‘Shorty Dud’ Ivy, timbales and percussionist; Milton ‘Go-Go Mickey’ Freeman, congas and percussion; Mike Smith, drums; Little Benny, vocals; Charles ‘Shorty’ Garrison, vocals; Kimberly ‘Ms. Kim’ Graham, vocals; Byron ‘BJ’ Jackson, keyboards and vocals; Kent Wood, keyboards and vocals; Roy Battle, trombone; Andre ‘Whiteboy’ Johnson, lead guitar.
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