Early Singles

Go-go, the uniquely syncopated regional funk sound of the Washington, DC/Virginia/Maryland area (5/4 with plenty of congas, timbales and cowbell, and a surprising amount of swing), developed in the 1970s, coming into its own at the dawn of the 1980s. One of the most powerful bands in the genre, Trouble Funk released a string of 12” singles on the D.E.T.T. label which were gathered on this compilation put together by Rick Rubin and Henry Rollins (a DC native) for their Infinite Zero label. Elements of Parliament, Kool & the Gang, and the Ohio Players can be heard in their sound (and “Trouble Funk Express” is stolen from Kraftwerk’s “Trans Europe Express”), but the constantly ticking, multilayered go-go beat is always there, and the mix of sharp horns and electro synths is unique.