TS: Chuck Brown's "Bustin' Loose" vs. Japan's "Visions of China"

Thanks for the answers so far, and here's a related question to ponder: is there an example of that specific syncopated rhythm (and anyone who knows rhythmic terminology, hook me up here) as a precursor to the nascent go-go scene? I mean, go-go was/is essentially a strain of funk as far as I can tell, but that rhythm got codified awfully fast -- are there recorded examples of that beat prior to Chuck Brown, in what would otherwise be considered a separate genre? It's got way too much swing to be a disco influence; AMG says it's "a bass-heavy, funky variation of hip-hop" which doesn't really skew with the chronology (though in later years it's OTM). Maybe some obscure P-Funk track?

I need a musicologist, or at least someone who's read The Beat to help me out here, but I understand 'that rhythm' has a direct antecedent in african drumming. I think you're asking for western/US pop music antecedents of that rhythm, which is an interesting question, but surely not one that can locate the definitive origin of the go-go beat.

...and, getting back to my original question, a tune that Japan's rhythm section might have *also* heard -- not that it's inconceivable they would have heard "Bustin' Loose" (it topped the R&B charts in '78 or '79, and they recorded "VoC" in '81), but if they didn't then a tune that could be a progenitor to both.

(The next question I pose will be less obscure, I promise!)

"This background for the go-go beat became part of American popular music by the late 1940's by way of Afro-Cuban jazz when Dizzy Gillespie and other musicians added percussionists like Machito to their ensembles. It was reinforced in the 1950's and 1960's through the popularity of salsa and by way of the New York-based bands led by Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, and Mongo Santamaria. In DC, Carl Hawkins, Julio Miranda, and Stacy Edwards are some of the percussionists whose work contributed to the multi-layering of rhythms that is so critical to go-go. These artists' use of 'exotic' instruments like Ghanian hand drums and cowbells (which came from Africa via South America) helped to create a music that is very African in its construction." (p.12-13)

Y'know, I just went back to listen to "Bustin' Loose," and though it's indeed a great tune, it's not quite as *busy* as I remembered (though things do heat up around the four-minute mark). I guess I'm really thinking of a Trouble Funk-style beat from a couple years later, which is much more in keeping with the "Visions of China" break.

Oh, what the hell: listen for yourselves and tell me if I'm crazy. Evaluation purposes only, must delete after 24 hours, blah blah. I'll keep 'em up till, oh, let's say 6/13/2003...