Yep! "That mall" on 165th closed recently. Gentrification has reached Jamaica, sadly.
@TheycallmeMo1111
2 ай бұрын
Southside stand up!!
@tajhanwebster6866
Ай бұрын
Big facts lol my pops from st Albans i knew from lil kid it was about Jamaica queens
@thekidd8705
2 ай бұрын
Gone head and click that pen
@michaelwright131
19 күн бұрын
🤣🤣🤣😭
@jimmysmith-xb7vm
2 ай бұрын
Every boombox and car had this bumpin when i was a kid in my hood
@clutch236
2 ай бұрын
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.
@Qutstm
2 ай бұрын
Isn't she Chaka Khan's sister?
@LadybugLuv
2 ай бұрын
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.
@primeminister66
2 ай бұрын
Never sounded like Chaka to me but great voice in her own right RIH
@Mark-rw9gw
2 ай бұрын
@@QutstmNo. Chaka Khans sister is Taka Boom
@tiamonique
Ай бұрын
I thought it was Evelyn “Champagne” King lol I guess because, New York lol
@jamesgeorge5276
2 ай бұрын
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!😊❤
@artdogg50
2 ай бұрын
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.
@MarcG7424
2 ай бұрын
You got a taste of Tom Browne with " Funkin For Jamaica " now you gotta here " Thighs High " it's my favorite
@helgar791
2 ай бұрын
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.
@thunderbolts2438
2 ай бұрын
Don't forget "Just Chillin' Out"
@thekidd8705
2 ай бұрын
The horns are straight 🔥 🔥 on this song
@CTBSlash0509
2 ай бұрын
I love this song
@KevinGloverpost24
2 ай бұрын
Jamaica Queens checking in! This is the anthem and has been since I was 11 yrs old. (54 currently)
@kennethbowers3950
2 ай бұрын
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@bjware511
2 ай бұрын
This was a straight get up out of your seat and get on the dance floor jam!
@QuentinJohnson307
2 ай бұрын
Tom Brown is the horn player, this was another pop lock-in jam! Great reaction..❤
@adublbeatz8656
2 ай бұрын
Yep Yep...another classic for me....One of them songs that you wish it didn't end...
@willie417
2 ай бұрын
"Bon Bon Vie" (gimme the good life) by T S Monk (1980)
@primeminister66
2 ай бұрын
COLD 🥶
@coachemup8185
2 ай бұрын
Let's goooo!
@Battle_Faith-Ministries
2 ай бұрын
Tom Browne played the opening trumpet riff.
@kurtadams3021
2 ай бұрын
The late great Ms Toni Smith ❤
@Fruit17-ip4vl
2 ай бұрын
This request is fire! 😎❤️Ashley’s reaction is always on point!
@princedejour2686
2 ай бұрын
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👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥
@dexterjweaver4812
2 ай бұрын
Classic funk jam!! Also, please check for Bernard Wright "Who do you love" & "Haboglabotribbin"
@kurtadams3021
2 ай бұрын
Pure uncut Funk 🤘🏾
@rennyjones3929
2 ай бұрын
Ashley, you are doing the dang thang 😅 , loving your old school reactions 💪🙏💯😊
@QuentinJohnson307
2 ай бұрын
Oh yeah, chillin at the skating rink.
@bakercarl8518
2 ай бұрын
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.
@Kim-427
2 ай бұрын
Thighs High that’s all I’m going to say! Next!!
@primeminister66
2 ай бұрын
Indeed
@Battle_Faith-Ministries
2 ай бұрын
My high school years. The funk is so hot , you can smell it down the block.
@thunderbolts2438
2 ай бұрын
Power funk jam from my early 20's............. so so good at the clubs.
@MrHarris61
2 ай бұрын
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.
@craigreed1638
2 ай бұрын
That face you're making....the funk gets you everytime
@notsogood9449
2 ай бұрын
Another 80's Banger!!!!!!
@courtneymoore5887
2 ай бұрын
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"
@Lori-db8vl
2 ай бұрын
Yes, "Let's Do It Again" by the Staples!
@GLAS63
Ай бұрын
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
@clarenceguidry9632
2 ай бұрын
Always thought she had that Chaka Khan voice but Tom Brown is a hell of a musician trumpet player
@darrylbryant499
10 күн бұрын
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
@arthuroliver1862
Ай бұрын
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.
@New-tu3mn
11 күн бұрын
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.
@AuntieNina68
2 ай бұрын
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❤
@Mark-rw9gw
2 ай бұрын
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.
@contextmatters8243
2 ай бұрын
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 ..😎💥
@Kim-427
2 ай бұрын
Yes,Clarify!!! Cause you know that’s the first thing people will assume. She needs to listen to “Thighs High”! Thats the cut!!
@jiujitsujackson9831
2 ай бұрын
I was checking to see if someone documented that👊🏾👊🏾
@thetruthhurts8618
2 ай бұрын
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!!
@busterheine3806
2 ай бұрын
Who is the "Tim" you referred to--with the "perfect pitch"?
@rhondaatkins1776
2 ай бұрын
@thetruthhuThey're not listening to the adlib in the beginning where he references "165th St" and "that mall".
@kielhall8363
2 ай бұрын
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✌🏿
@educateu2
2 ай бұрын
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
@ProfitPathTV-zf6je
22 күн бұрын
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.
@grandgnd
2 ай бұрын
Bernard Wright on the bass (Who Do You Love)
@mingmong007
24 күн бұрын
1980, Toronto, Canada... basement jam.... BIG TUNE!!!!
@cocopuff7038
2 ай бұрын
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
@silhouetteimage3976
Ай бұрын
When I first heard this I thought it was Chaka Khan on vocals. Soon discovered it was Artist named Toni Smith.🙏🏾❤️💐🎤🎼
@HeidiMondon
Ай бұрын
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... kzitem.info/news/bejne/2pVrz3epa2KHgJwsi=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.
@stevi-h7c
Ай бұрын
Hands down belter! 👌
@user-qk1qz3zz3h
2 ай бұрын
toni smith is the beautiful chicolate lady she also co wrote the song 👑✡️🔱
@michaelwright131
2 ай бұрын
I didn't expect you to find that🤣🤣🤣🤣🔥🔥🔥🔥
@SandraSealySeawomanBDS
2 ай бұрын
Please listen ti his "Thighs High (I Wanna Grip Your Hips & Move" - my fav!❤
@williamhayes981
2 ай бұрын
Fun Fact - "Dre Day" by Dr. Dre, on his Chronic album.....sampled this song.
@gregoryharlston0602
2 ай бұрын
I always thought it was Chaka Khan singing the lead! Sounds a lot like her to me!
@amosemoike2558
2 ай бұрын
Please kindly react to Rafael Cameron - All That's Good to Me. This guy got many great 80's songs
@NITTY103166
2 ай бұрын
Now you have to do Thighs High by Tom Browne.
@marciagreen744
Ай бұрын
She's Toni Smith. Sadly, she passed last year.
@creamone
7 күн бұрын
One time for Sutphin Blvd. Jamaica, Queens New York
@anthonycollins6353
2 ай бұрын
He you check out Disco Inferno by the Trammps next time
@ellerootz6702
2 ай бұрын
Flashback
@kbquan
2 ай бұрын
Toni Smith is her name Ashley
@TheRealKymiPoo
2 ай бұрын
🧡🔥🔥🔥
@sydboski
Ай бұрын
Click the Pen Ashley!!!!
@vincentwilliams71
Ай бұрын
👍👍👍👍👍👍
@frederickhill8332
2 ай бұрын
Classic shit
@cynthiawatkins6115
2 ай бұрын
Thighs High please
@cashflowhustles
2 ай бұрын
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. 😂
@TonyMitchell-z6p
2 ай бұрын
Bernard Wright is a keyboardist not a bassist.
@chrischreative2245
2 ай бұрын
Les Nubians remade this and it’s good
@intellectualnapalm_fba
2 ай бұрын
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!! 🤦🏽♂️
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