Experience Unlimited
Experience Unlimited, often referred to as E.U., is a renowned go-go and funk band hailing from Washington, D.C. The group was formed in 1975 by a collective of high school friends, marking the beginning of a musical journey that would significantly impact the go-go genre of music. They gained widespread popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s, becoming emblematic of the Washington, D.C. music scene, which was characterized by its unique blend of funk, hip-hop, and rhythm & blues.
The band is best known for their 1988 hit single “Da Butt,” which was featured in Spike Lee’s film "School Daze." The song showcased their distinctive sound and contributed to their fame, reaching a broad audience and securing their place in music history. The track remains one of their signature songs and has been celebrated for its infectious groove and danceability.
Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott serves as the front man, lead vocalist, and bass player, playing a pivotal role in the group’s identity and musical direction. Over the years, Experience Unlimited has gone through various changes in its lineup, including talented musicians like Michael Hughes, also known as “Outta Site” Mike, who contributed as a keyboardist and songwriter during the band's formative years.
Experience Unlimited, alongside other influential bands like Chuck Brown and Trouble Funk, was instrumental in shaping the go-go music scene, a genre that originated in Washington, D.C., and is characterized by its use of live percussion, call-and-response vocals, and an overall celebratory vibe. The band's energetic performances and catchy rhythms helped to solidify their reputation as a leading force in funk and go-go music, allowing them to remain relevant in the evolving landscape of American music.<div hidden>EU E.U.</div>
Free Yourself
Written-By – Clarence Oscar Smith
3:23
A2 Functus
Written-By – Michael Hughes
4:50
A3 Peace Gone Away
Written-By – Donald Fields
4:45
A4 Free Yourself
Written-By – Anthony Easton, Gregory Elliot, Michael Hughes
7:57
B1 Hey You
Written-By – Experience Unlimited, Kenny St. Lewis, Max Kidd
3:38
B2 People
Written-By – Donald Fields
6:09
B3 Funky Consciousness
Written-By – Experience Unlimited
9:08
Label: Black Fire – BF 19757
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Rock, Jazz-Funk, Soul
Released in 1977, Free Yourself is the debut studio album by the Washington, D.C.-based band Experience Unlimited (later known as E.U.).
The album is a seminal recording that blends soul, jazz, and funk-rock. It is widely recognized for laying the foundation for Washington D.C.’s signature go-go scene.
Described as "free-flowing," the album is characterized by youthful energy, infectious grooves, and positive messages of peace, love, and social awareness.
Key Tracks:-
"Free Yourself": Features early stylings of go-go rhythms.
"Funky Consciousness": A 9-minute epic featuring heavy guitar work and a "raucous" breakbeat.
"Peace Gone Away": A soulful, reflective track.
"People": A ballad featuring haunting vocal harmonies underscored by acoustic guitar.
Bandleader Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott describes the recording process as spontaneous, with the young members simply being themselves and "saying what we felt".
The album has since become a certified classic within the "Deep Funk" and spiritual jazz canons. Notable high-quality reissues have been released by labels such as Strut Records and Now-Again Records (as part of the Vinyl Me, Please Essentials series), often including remastered audio and interviews with Sugar Bear.
While Experience Unlimited later found mainstream success with the 1988 hit "Da Butt," Free Yourself remains a critical favorite in the deep funk and spiritual jazz canons.
EU E.U.