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Years active 1978–19851991–20072008–present Past members Renee ScrogginsMarie ScrogginsValerie ScrogginsDeborah ScrogginsNicole NicholasNicholas NicholasChistelle PoliteLeroy GloverTito LibranDavid Miles Members Renee Scroggins, Valerie Scroggins, Marie Scroggins Genres No wave, Post-punk, Funk, Post-disco Albums A South Bronx Story, Come Away with ESG, Step Off, Dance to the Best of ESG, A South Bronx Story 2: The Ra Profiles | ||
ESG (Emerald Sapphire & Gold) is an American post-punk band that emerged from the South Bronx, New York City, in the early 1980s. Trouser Press called it "one of the most dynamic bands that New York could offer at the top of the '80s." ESG has been influential across a wide range of musical genres, including hip hop, post-punk, disco, and dance-punk. The band's track "UFO" is one of the most sampled songs in history.
Contents
History
The band originally consisted of the Scroggins sisters, Renee (vocals), Valerie (drums), Deborah (bass) and Marie (congas, vocals) and friend Tito Libran (congas, vocals). A later incarnation of the band consisted of sisters Renee (guitar, vocals), Marie (percussion, vocals), and Valerie (drums), along with David Miles (guitar), Leroy Glover (bass), Chistelle Polite (vocals), Nicholas Nicholas (vocals/percussion) and Nicole Nicholas (bass/vocals). ESG's music is centered on complex polyrhythms, a funky bass and pop-flavored guitar.
During their first incarnation, the group signed with 99 Records and the self-titled 1981 EP of three live (recorded at Hurrah) and three studio songs, the latter produced by English post-punk producer Martin Hannett. A 7" of "You're No Good" was released by Factory Records in the UK. 1982's ESG Says Dance to the Beat of the Moody EP continued in a similar vein, as did their first album, 1983's Come Away with ESG. Renee Scroggins retains the rights to ESG's new music and publishing.
The group's work had become popular, mainly among hip-hop artists searching for samples, with such acts as TLC, the Wu-Tang Clan, Kool Moe Dee, the Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Junior Mafia, Tricky, Jay-Dee, as well as indie rockers like Unrest and Liars all sampling the group. The group addressed this issue on the 1992 12" EP Sample Credits Don't Pay Our Bills. The album, ESG Live!, was released in 1995 and featured both old and new material.
ESG announced shows in Sweden and France in September, 2011. An ESG show in March 2012 was announced as their final west coast show to promote their Closure album. ESG is still touring with shows in London as of June 2014 and has released a single called "Watching" from their upcoming release "What More Can You Take?!" due to be released November 2015.
Albums
Live albums
EPs
Compilations
Appearances
Songs
MoodyCome Away with ESG · 1983
You're No GoodESG · 1981
ChistelleCome Away with ESG · 1983