The vocalist is the late Toni Smith (R.I.P.). Many people early on thought it was "Chaka Khan" on vocals to the point where it's quoted that Chaka herself heard it and said "When did I record that?", (jokingly). Tom Browne is the blue-shirt trumpet player in the intro. This is definitely a "Funk Classic".....good reaction.
Yep, I thought it was Chaka Khan, uncredited. Now I know why I could never find her credit! Because it wasn't Chaka! 😅 Thank you for letting me know Toni Smith is! RIP to her.
With over four decades under his belt as a recording artist, jazz and R & B trumpeter Tom Browne is an artist who has created his own lane musically while merging the worlds of jazz, soul, funk, and rhythm and blues into a unique sound that’s all his own. Born in 1954 in New York, Browne started playing the piano at age 11, which led to him taking up a number of instruments. He ultimately was classically trained in trumpet and continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Art. After being exposed to jazz music at Kingsborough College, where he graduated with a degree in physics, Browne took a gig with the legendary soul/R & B artist Weldon Irvine and used that as a stepping stone for stints with jazzman Sonny Fortune and the funk unit The Fatback Band, launching his trumpeting career.While “Browne Sugar” made waves in the contemporary jazz scene, Browne’s next album, 1980’s “Love Approach” brought a decidedly different flavor and it was brought on by a tune that was initially a throwaway, filler track and the last song to be added to the album. “Funkin’ for Jamaica” was an homage to the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood where he was born and raised and that was also home to other notable artists such as Don Blackman, Marcus Miller, Bernard Wright, Weldon Irvine and others. The tone of the track is set from the first note, as Browne’s funky introductory solo played over exuberant chatter from cats from his neighborhood. The song also features powerfully moving and funky vocals from the late Thomassina Smith, or Toni Smith, who many mistook for Chaka Khan. The track would go on to be played in clubs, skating rinks, and house parties all around the world, and would be later sampled by a myriad number of hip-hop acts, reach number one on the Billboard R & B charts and become one of the signature songs in the canon of funk music.The buzz surrounding Browne was that he had distinctive jazz chops and could fuse his skillset with a multitude of other music genres. He caught the eye of GRP records who signed him to a deal and his released his debut album, “Browne Sugar,” in 1979.By this time, Browne was revered as an artist for his ability to incorporate jazz, soul, funk, with a high degree of skill and improvisational groove that brought a virtuosity to his work. His 1981 album “Magic” was a more direct foray into contemporary jazz, but featured another funk tune, “Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move),” which found its way into spaces similar to the ones that “Funkin’ for Jamaica” did a year before.
This is from the summer of 1980, 44years ago and I still cant believe it's been that long!! I was a teenager at the time...time really flies!! Its still sound good like it did back then!😊❤
Some of these band members are legendary musicians, producers, composers and session artists.. Tom Browne - trumpet Dave Grusin - piano Bernard Wright - electric piano, synthesizer Bobby Broom - guitar Marcus Miller - bass Buddy Williams - drums Errol "Crusher" Bennett - percussion Alvin Flythe - rap, handclaps Mike Flythe - rap, handclaps Kevin Osborne - rap, handclaps Toni Smith - vocals, handclaps
A BIG YES!!! Running the air waves . From the clubs , radio and cars !!! Excuse me while I get up from this recycliner and SHAKE A BOOTY. My wife of 37 years has join in with me and i love 💕 her.
This song was the jam back in the day back in the early 80s, and it was being heard over in Germany in 1982!!! This song will NEVER go out of style, and it is a classic.. NYC classic, world classic. There is a documentary online that Tom Browne did back a few years ago, I will post it here... ruclips.net/video/y_5iCs20VMg/видео.htmlsi=fWPe4LBwqR-F3mK0 The piano player went on to be a successful jazz pianist, and a few of the others survive but most of them have passed, including Toni.
The vocals for the single were performed by Toni Smith (Thomassina Carrollyne Smith), who also helped compose the song. The song hit number one on the US Billboard R&B chart for a month.
Your face scrunched when Tom blasted that opening horn but when the rest of the crew broke in you started jiving. Love the banter back and forth. That low low low bass and those horns chipping in just make this song awesome. I mean you could play this over and over and just can’t sit down at the club while this is playing. Tom has a 9 minute and 18 minute version of this too floating around on YT also.
I gave you a thumbs up cause you did not stop the songs on keys points of the music tracks. To me to you, you're practically a old school gem as I was at your young age. Keep it up. There's tons of oldies but goodies records chart breaking music out there waiting for your ears to hear.
Babygirl Ashley, These are my favorite moments in watching reaction videos. Watching you fall in love with a song that is part of the fiber of my being, and I suspect, has quickly become part of yours too. Good music will do that❤. The summer I was 12, living on my roller skates! His other big hit was Thighs High, same vibe❤
Ash I just found you recently and I Love Love Love your reactions!!! How about some Staples Singers "Let's Do It Again" and some MC Lyte "Poor Georgie", "Keep On Keepin On" and "RuffNeck"
I was a teenager back then and they played on the radio. We thought she was Chaka Khan really we did because there was no video at the time when it first came out I heard on WBLS107.5 in New York Frankie Crocker the great DJ played it. He probably played it that day around six or seven times and it caught fire thank you Ashley for giving us this great memory from my teenage✌🏿
This mix just smokes. You are correct. The instrumentals are killing it. It is very complex with the horns, bass, drums and the ivory. It. Is. The. Best. Funk. Song. Around. A classic that just cannot be topped.
Back to school Jam NCA&T Fall 1980 Freshman year!!!!! BTW Tom Brown is the Trumpet player. Noted jazz band leader creating a lil something for the masses
Bernard Wright passed away in 2022 (car accident) he has also played with Snarky Puppy . Check out Snarky Puppy “Take It”- feat. Bernard Wright which was one of his last recordings
The vocalist here is the late Tonni Smith. Saw a recent interview with Chaka Khan who said that when she first heard this song, she said to herself, "When did I record this?" Chaka said she was fooled, because even she thought that like many others, that Tonni Smith sounded just like her. Tom Browne is the horn player in the blue wife beater.
Nice, you are killing it Ashley with these reaction and probs to those who is requesting these hot tracks I heard that the lady who is sing passed away from us but her vocal was fire. But if you have some time can you react to Taste Of Honey "Boogie Oogie Oogie" around this time of music almost all music was FIRE
The alien in them yellow shades that layed down that funky bass line and those piano chords is Bernard "'Nard" Wright. That madam laying down that sunshine of a voice is the legendary Toni Smith. The light skinned man who blared the trumpet at the very beginning standing in the middle of the group is Tom Browne. The guy on the other piano in the back is Dave Grusin. The guy on the guitar next to Toni is Bobby Broom. The guy hitting muted16th notes on the Bass is Marcus Miller. The guys in the back talking over the track Alvin and Mike Flythe and Kevin Osborne The chocolate brother in the back cutting up on the Drum kit is Errol Bennett. The heavy set brother in the middle on the other side of the guitar player is Buddy Williams he is a percussionist too. Not sure about the Bone and Sax player in the back tho...
Chaka Kahn has a story where after this song came out her friends started telling her that they really liked her new song - because the lead singer sounded something like Chaka. At first, she didn't know what they were talking about. Years later, Chaka would sometimes perform Jamaica Funk herself live on stage as a fun joke.
For those that don't know.. The song is about Jamaica, Queens not the Caribbean island. 😎 BTW -- THe Sista is Toni Smith. ,💥 Also..Tim was a musical genius that had a perfect pitch... I knew him from HS in the mid '70s where we were part of a "chitlin band".. didn't make money but had a blast playing out ..😎💥
I'm glad you said that because those Jamaicans tried to hijack this song! They still think these people are Jamaicans and they talking about the island and not Queens,NY!!!😂😂😂These are our people!!! I'm from Miami and they hate to hear the truth about this song!!
You won't see this in the top ten funk tunes of all time and many will argue there are better tunes, but this is imo the greatest funk tune of all time for several reasons, just watching the video it looks like a bunch of musicians having some fun jammin in the studio but there's a lot more going on here. Firstly there's Tom's signature horn blow at the start followed by that heavy bass and a perfect drum beat, then those insane piano drops are incredible, followed by the horn sections, then in comes that guitar break leading towards Toni Smiths raunchy vocal performance (which she co-wrote with Tom) making the whole tune unique. When you break it down into separate components it's a simple composition, but then it all comes together in perfect synchrony. It has never been re-created to this level by them or anyone else since this 1980 performance. Truly inspiring and some might say emotional experience. R.I.P Toni Smith.
You been doing lots of slow jams without diving neck deep into the jazz, funk, soul, disco and BLUES of Black Folks Music both American and UK. And that's BEFORE HIP HOP. I come from the funk jazz disco deep house music era of DANCEABLE funky Soulful black music INCLUDING Blue Eyed Soul artists who although non black fully embrace black music of various levels. So that includes lots of instrumentation and improvisation both musical AND LYRICAL complete with beautiful poetry at times. But I'll stop right there. 😂
☝Let the man himself (Tom Browne is the Trumpeter) tell u about where we both are from and the creation of this song (me South Side) ruclips.net/video/y_5iCs20VMg/видео.html RIP💐Thomassina "Tonni or Toni" Carrollyne Smith💐01-28-2020
I was today years old when I learned this is not only NOT a Chaka Kahn song, but she ain’t even the vocalist on the project! Who the hell is Tom Browne. I’m bout to revoke my own Black card and ask the community for grace!! 🤦🏽♂️
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Vocalist is Toni Smith RIP
Jetzt unfortunately not longer among us.
She Also co wrote this song
The vocalist is the late Toni Smith (R.I.P.). Many people early on thought it was "Chaka Khan" on vocals to the point where it's quoted that Chaka herself heard it and said "When did I record that?", (jokingly). Tom Browne is the blue-shirt trumpet player in the intro. This is definitely a "Funk Classic".....good reaction.
Isn't she Chaka Khan's sister?
Yep, I thought it was Chaka Khan, uncredited. Now I know why I could never find her credit! Because it wasn't Chaka! 😅 Thank you for letting me know Toni Smith is! RIP to her.
Never sounded like Chaka to me but great voice in her own right RIH
@@QutstmNo. Chaka Khans sister is Taka Boom
I thought it was Evelyn “Champagne” King lol I guess because, New York lol
The Black cookout classic
DEFINITELY!!
Ooooooooooook
A classic in my white Norwegian home too
80's music will NEVER die!🤣🤣🤣
True
With over four decades under his belt as a recording artist, jazz and R & B trumpeter Tom Browne is an artist who has created his own lane musically while merging the worlds of jazz, soul, funk, and rhythm and blues into a unique sound that’s all his own.
Born in 1954 in New York, Browne started playing the piano at age 11, which led to him taking up a number of instruments. He ultimately was classically trained in trumpet and continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Art.
After being exposed to jazz music at Kingsborough College, where he graduated with a degree in physics, Browne took a gig with the legendary soul/R & B artist Weldon Irvine and used that as a stepping stone for stints with jazzman Sonny Fortune and the funk unit The Fatback Band, launching his trumpeting career.While “Browne Sugar” made waves in the contemporary jazz scene, Browne’s next album, 1980’s “Love Approach” brought a decidedly different flavor and it was brought on by a tune that was initially a throwaway, filler track and the last song to be added to the album.
“Funkin’ for Jamaica” was an homage to the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood where he was born and raised and that was also home to other notable artists such as Don Blackman, Marcus Miller, Bernard Wright, Weldon Irvine and others.
The tone of the track is set from the first note, as Browne’s funky introductory solo played over exuberant chatter from cats from his neighborhood. The song also features powerfully moving and funky vocals from the late Thomassina Smith, or Toni Smith, who many mistook for Chaka Khan.
The track would go on to be played in clubs, skating rinks, and house parties all around the world, and would be later sampled by a myriad number of hip-hop acts, reach number one on the Billboard R & B charts and become one of the signature songs in the canon of funk music.The buzz surrounding Browne was that he had distinctive jazz chops and could fuse his skillset with a multitude of other music genres. He caught the eye of GRP records who signed him to a deal and his released his debut album, “Browne Sugar,” in 1979.By this time, Browne was revered as an artist for his ability to incorporate jazz, soul, funk, with a high degree of skill and improvisational groove that brought a virtuosity to his work.
His 1981 album “Magic” was a more direct foray into contemporary jazz, but featured another funk tune, “Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move),” which found its way into spaces similar to the ones that “Funkin’ for Jamaica” did a year before.
You got a taste of Tom Browne with " Funkin For Jamaica " now you gotta here " Thighs High " it's my favorite
Tribute to Jamaica, Queens N.Y.
Yep! "That mall" on 165th closed recently. Gentrification has reached Jamaica, sadly.
Southside stand up!!
Big facts lol my pops from st Albans i knew from lil kid it was about Jamaica queens
South Side 👑ALLDAY👑
This is from the summer of 1980, 44years ago and I still cant believe it's been that long!! I was a teenager at the time...time really flies!! Its still sound good like it did back then!😊❤
Every boombox and car had this bumpin when i was a kid in my hood
The horns are straight 🔥 🔥 on this song
This was a straight get up out of your seat and get on the dance floor jam!
Gone head and click that pen
🤣🤣🤣😭
Bernard Wright, who played the bass on this track, also had a big hit with his song "Who Do You Love". Give that a listen.
Don't forget "Just Chillin' Out"
Tom Brown is the horn player, this was another pop lock-in jam! Great reaction..❤
I love this song
Classic funk jam!! Also, please check for Bernard Wright "Who do you love" & "Haboglabotribbin"
Some of these band members are legendary musicians, producers, composers and session artists..
Tom Browne - trumpet
Dave Grusin - piano
Bernard Wright - electric piano, synthesizer
Bobby Broom - guitar
Marcus Miller - bass
Buddy Williams - drums
Errol "Crusher" Bennett - percussion
Alvin Flythe - rap, handclaps
Mike Flythe - rap, handclaps
Kevin Osborne - rap, handclaps
Toni Smith - vocals, handclaps
Awesome 🏆. Thanks for this list.
The late great Ms Toni Smith ❤
This request is fire! 😎❤️Ashley’s reaction is always on point!
Yep Yep...another classic for me....One of them songs that you wish it didn't end...
You’ll see the 9 and 18 minute cuts of Funkin’ here on YT also. I could listen to this all day and not get tired of it.
Jamaica Queens checking in! This is the anthem and has been since I was 11 yrs old. (54 currently)
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
"Bon Bon Vie" (gimme the good life) by T S Monk (1980)
COLD 🥶
Let's goooo!
This has been a great jam since K ws a little kid. This song gwts everyone out on the dance floor! This song is just so Funky👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥
Ashley, you are doing the dang thang 😅 , loving your old school reactions 💪🙏💯😊
THIS IS VIBING BEYOND 4 EVER 🙏🏽🙌🏽
Tom Browne played the opening trumpet riff.
My high school years. The funk is so hot , you can smell it down the block.
Pure uncut Funk 🤘🏾
Power funk jam from my early 20's............. so so good at the clubs.
A BIG YES!!! Running the air waves . From the clubs , radio and cars !!! Excuse me while I get up from this recycliner and SHAKE A BOOTY. My wife of 37 years has join in with me and i love 💕 her.
Oh yeah, chillin at the skating rink.
Toni Smith is the vocalist, she passed away a couple of years ago. Many thought it was Chaka Khan after hearing her for the first time. Great choice.
This song was the jam back in the day back in the early 80s, and it was being heard over in Germany in 1982!!! This song will NEVER go out of style, and it is a classic.. NYC classic, world classic. There is a documentary online that Tom Browne did back a few years ago, I will post it here... ruclips.net/video/y_5iCs20VMg/видео.htmlsi=fWPe4LBwqR-F3mK0 The piano player went on to be a successful jazz pianist, and a few of the others survive but most of them have passed, including Toni.
The vocals for the single were performed by Toni Smith (Thomassina Carrollyne Smith), who also helped compose the song. The song hit number one on the US Billboard R&B chart for a month.
Another 80's Banger!!!!!!
Your face scrunched when Tom blasted that opening horn but when the rest of the crew broke in you started jiving. Love the banter back and forth. That low low low bass and those horns chipping in just make this song awesome. I mean you could play this over and over and just can’t sit down at the club while this is playing. Tom has a 9 minute and 18 minute version of this too floating around on YT also.
I gave you a thumbs up cause you did not stop the songs on keys points of the music tracks. To me to you, you're practically a old school gem as I was at your young age. Keep it up. There's tons of oldies but goodies records chart breaking music out there waiting for your ears to hear.
Babygirl Ashley, These are my favorite moments in watching reaction videos. Watching you fall in love with a song that is part of the fiber of my being, and I suspect, has quickly become part of yours too.
Good music will do that❤.
The summer I was 12, living on my roller skates! His other big hit was Thighs High, same vibe❤
Ash I just found you recently and I Love Love Love your reactions!!! How about some Staples Singers "Let's Do It Again" and some MC Lyte "Poor Georgie", "Keep On Keepin On" and "RuffNeck"
Yes, "Let's Do It Again" by the Staples!
I was a teenager back then and they played on the radio. We thought she was Chaka Khan really we did because there was no video at the time when it first came out I heard on WBLS107.5 in New York Frankie Crocker the great DJ played it. He probably played it that day around six or seven times and it caught fire thank you Ashley for giving us this great memory from my teenage✌🏿
This mix just smokes. You are correct. The instrumentals are killing it. It is very complex with the horns, bass, drums and the ivory. It. Is. The. Best. Funk. Song. Around. A classic that just cannot be topped.
Always thought she had that Chaka Khan voice but Tom Brown is a hell of a musician trumpet player
I was playing the trumpet in my college band when this song came out. Of course, I loved it then and still love it after all these years.
Back to school Jam NCA&T Fall 1980 Freshman year!!!!! BTW Tom Brown is the Trumpet player. Noted jazz band leader creating a lil something for the masses
Bernard Wright passed away in 2022 (car accident) he has also played with Snarky Puppy . Check out Snarky Puppy “Take It”- feat. Bernard Wright which was one of his last recordings
Thighs High that’s all I’m going to say! Next!!
Indeed
The vocalist here is the late Tonni Smith. Saw a recent interview with Chaka Khan who said that when she first heard this song, she said to herself, "When did I record this?" Chaka said she was fooled, because even she thought that like many others, that Tonni Smith sounded just like her. Tom Browne is the horn player in the blue wife beater.
Nice, you are killing it Ashley with these reaction and probs to those who is requesting these hot tracks I heard that the lady who is sing passed away from us but her vocal was fire. But if you have some time can you react to Taste Of Honey "Boogie Oogie Oogie" around this time of music almost all music was FIRE
The alien in them yellow shades that layed down that funky bass line and those piano chords is Bernard "'Nard" Wright. That madam laying down that sunshine of a voice is the legendary Toni Smith. The light skinned man who blared the trumpet at the very beginning standing in the middle of the group is Tom Browne. The guy on the other piano in the back is Dave Grusin. The guy on the guitar next to Toni is Bobby Broom. The guy hitting muted16th notes on the Bass is Marcus Miller. The guys in the back talking over the track Alvin and Mike Flythe and Kevin Osborne The chocolate brother in the back cutting up on the Drum kit is Errol Bennett. The heavy set brother in the middle on the other side of the guitar player is Buddy Williams he is a percussionist too. Not sure about the Bone and Sax player in the back tho...
Flashback
I didn't expect you to find that🤣🤣🤣🤣🔥🔥🔥🔥
1980, Toronto, Canada... basement jam.... BIG TUNE!!!!
That face you're making....the funk gets you everytime
She's Toni Smith. Sadly, she passed last year.
This is still a club classic!!! 💃🏾🕺🏾
Chaka Kahn has a story where after this song came out her friends started telling her that they really liked her new song - because the lead singer sounded something like Chaka. At first, she didn't know what they were talking about. Years later, Chaka would sometimes perform Jamaica Funk herself live on stage as a fun joke.
When I first heard this I thought it was Chaka Khan on vocals. Soon discovered it was Artist named Toni Smith.🙏🏾❤️💐🎤🎼
Hands down belter! 👌
Bernard Wright on the bass
(Who Do You Love)
For those that don't know..
The song is about Jamaica, Queens not the Caribbean island. 😎
BTW -- THe Sista is Toni Smith. ,💥
Also..Tim was a musical genius that had a perfect pitch...
I knew him from HS in the mid '70s where we were part of a "chitlin band".. didn't make money but had a blast playing out ..😎💥
Yes,Clarify!!! Cause you know that’s the first thing people will assume. She needs to listen to “Thighs High”! Thats the cut!!
I was checking to see if someone documented that👊🏾👊🏾
I'm glad you said that because those Jamaicans tried to hijack this song! They still think these people are Jamaicans and they talking about the island and not Queens,NY!!!😂😂😂These are our people!!! I'm from Miami and they hate to hear the truth about this song!!
Who is the "Tim" you referred to--with the
"perfect pitch"?
@thetruthhuThey're not listening to the adlib in the beginning where he references "165th St" and "that mall".
Damn... You went there with this one
I always thought it was Chaka Khan singing the lead! Sounds a lot like her to me!
toni smith is the beautiful chicolate lady she also co wrote the song 👑✡️🔱
You won't see this in the top ten funk tunes of all time and many will argue there are better tunes, but this is imo the greatest funk tune of all time for several reasons, just watching the video it looks like a bunch of musicians having some fun jammin in the studio but there's a lot more going on here. Firstly there's Tom's signature horn blow at the start followed by that heavy bass and a perfect drum beat, then those insane piano drops are incredible, followed by the horn sections, then in comes that guitar break leading towards Toni Smiths raunchy vocal performance (which she co-wrote with Tom) making the whole tune unique. When you break it down into separate components it's a simple composition, but then it all comes together in perfect synchrony. It has never been re-created to this level by them or anyone else since this 1980 performance. Truly inspiring and some might say emotional experience. R.I.P Toni Smith.
Please listen ti his "Thighs High (I Wanna Grip Your Hips & Move" - my fav!❤
🧡🔥🔥🔥
Now you have to do Thighs High by Tom Browne.
Please kindly react to Rafael Cameron - All That's Good to Me. This guy got many great 80's songs
Click the Pen Ashley!!!!
Toni Smith is her name Ashley
One time for Sutphin Blvd. Jamaica, Queens New York
Fun Fact - "Dre Day" by Dr. Dre, on his Chronic album.....sampled this song.
He you check out Disco Inferno by the Trammps next time
That's the only face you can make while listening to this one
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Bernard Wright is a keyboardist not a bassist.
Toni Smith.
You been doing lots of slow jams without diving neck deep into the jazz, funk, soul, disco and BLUES of Black Folks Music both American and UK. And that's BEFORE HIP HOP. I come from the funk jazz disco deep house music era of DANCEABLE funky Soulful black music INCLUDING Blue Eyed Soul artists who although non black fully embrace black music of various levels. So that includes lots of instrumentation and improvisation both musical AND LYRICAL complete with beautiful poetry at times.
But I'll stop right there. 😂
Thighs High please
Classic shit
Listen to the Jamaican funk remix by Mariah Carey and Mystikal
☝Let the man himself (Tom Browne is the Trumpeter) tell u about where we both are from and the creation of this song (me South Side) ruclips.net/video/y_5iCs20VMg/видео.html
RIP💐Thomassina "Tonni or Toni" Carrollyne Smith💐01-28-2020
Les Nubians remade this and it’s good
Check out Mariah verison
I was today years old when I learned this is not only NOT a Chaka Kahn song, but she ain’t even the vocalist on the project! Who the hell is Tom Browne. I’m bout to revoke my own Black card and ask the community for grace!! 🤦🏽♂️
Jimbrowski
Jungle Brothers
ruclips.net/video/z7m82LUL4Fo/видео.htmlsi=Dwf3iwTihkXv7Sa0
You know your old when music you grew up with is completely unfamiliar to the young "First Time Hearing" crowd. 🤔
Song is about my hometown “ SOUTH JAMAICA QUEENS “ 🔥🔥🔥