EU - Livin Large (1989)

E.U., also known as Experience Unlimited, formed in the '70s and originally had a sound inspired by the likes of early Earth, Wind & Fire, Santana, and War. They developed into one of Washington, D.C.'s original and longest lasting go-go acts. Led by bassist and vocalist Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott, the band had a primarily local following through performances and albums like Free Yourself (1977) and Future Funk (1982), until they scored an unlikely Top 40 pop hit (and number one R&B hit) in 1988 with "Da'Butt," featured in Spike Lee's School Daze. Later in the year, Salt 'N' Pepa attained a number four R&B chart hit with help from E.U. on "Shake Your Thang," an update of the Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing." E.U. signed to Virgin and charted five singles with the label, including the go-go/new jack swing hybrid "Buck Wild" and the ballad "Taste of Your Love," both of which peaked in the Top Ten of the R&B chart. E.U. subsequently returned to independence and recorded only sporadically, but they continued to perform frequently as Sugar Bear & E.U.