Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, Bustin’ Loose | Throwback Vibez

In the 76th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Bustin’ Loose” by Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 76^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Bustin’ Loose” performed by Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers.

“Gimme the bridge now / I feel like busting loose / Busting loose.” Woo! Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers served up a heaping dose of funk on “Bustin’ Loose”, the opening track from their 1979 album, Bustin’ Loose. A lengthy song, “Bustin’ Loose” is nearly eight minutes long.  It is a glorious and infectious eight minutes. This record marked Brown’s only pop hit. It peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Chuck Brown (1936 – 2012) wrote this classic, performed lead vocals, and played guitar.

Fittingly, “Bustin’ Loose” commences with an incredibly funky groove. The drums (Ricky Wellman) and various percussion instruments (Gregory Gerran and Leroy Fleming) are awesome.  The addition of tambourine  (Donald Tillery) ups the ante. Beyond the rhythmic foundation, “Bustin’ Loose” features a tight rhythm section including keyboards, organ, bass, guitar, and colorful horns.  The horn riffs are epic – enthusiastic to the nth degree.  There are lots of instrumentalists on this track, all of whom show top-notch musicianship. Chuck Brown infuses his vocals with ample personality. He sounds fierce, even with minimalist and simple lyrics. “Busting loose in the evening / Busting loose can be pleasing / Talking ‘bout busting loose, y’all,” he sings, continuing, “Busting loose in the meantime / Busting loose makes you feel fine / talking ‘bout busting loose, y’all.” Word. The section to beat is the bridge, excerpted above. Beyond the bridge, there are plenty of nonsensical and infectious moments such as “Get, get, get, get, get, get on down” and “Freak, freak-a-deek.” Also, shout out to Leroy Fleming for his tenor saxophone solo. Beyond being the sugar, honey, iced tea in its own right, “Bustin’ Loose” fueled one of the most memorable rap hits of the 2000s: “Hot in Herre” by Nelly. Nelly spent seven weeks at number one with that classic.

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers // Bustin’ Loose // Raw Venture Records & Taps, Inc. // 1979

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, Bustin’ Loose: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 76 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Raw Venture Records & Taps, Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]