FIRST TIME HEARING Tom Browne - Funkin' For Jamaica Reaction

[@karengarr8370]

One of THE MOST FANTASTIC songs ever!!! HER VOICE IS INSANELY PHENOMENAL! R.I.P. to her

[@yescarycan]

Sadly, singer Toni Smith died this year. She sung the hell out of this song!!!

[@spreadinglove8683]

WoW didn't know that The heavens are surely jamming!

[@lepoetress]

Yes, she did!!!

[@kurtadams3021]

I couldn't of said it better

[@captivatingangelofpassion6479]

It truly hurt my soul that, I didn't know 💔 😪 😔 😞 😢 🤧 the "Queen of Funking For Jamaica" has made a Grand Rise into A Phenomenal Place 🙏 ❤️ ✨️

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

OMG, she blew that song ALL the way out!! I didn't know she transitioned. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Damali5610]

this lit up the dance floor at the clubs...ahh the 80's

[@donnadavis3422]

On the dance floor when this was out!! Love this song

[@lesliejones7348]

Indeed!!🙌

[@normacherylwashington4872]

This was before lyrics fell into the gutter!!!

[@KR-vk2wx]

Another one by Tom Browne - Thighs High

[@alohawg]

Yes!!!

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

and "Jam 'Fo Real"

[@gregoryburton1241]

This song came out of nowhere and took the dance floors by storm. Great song. RIP Toni Smith

[@lamontmelrose7640]

aah young'ns - now you know, why we old people are sane, rational, and knew how to have a good time. We were ballin' waaaaayy before it was called that! And you know this...man!!

[@stephen4763]

If this song doesn’t get you movin …… you’re dead. The sound is so rich. Horns, looow base, percussion, the ivory, Toni’s pipes, the funky banter by the band. They’re just having fun. I read somewhere the piano player was only 16 when the song was cut. Tom Browne - awesome song.

[@ShyeNYC]

Bass is 🔥 I swore that was Chaka Khan on vocals when this song came out...mad props to Toni 🎶

[@brodocbetty4856]

Sounds a lot like Chaka Kahn so I get it.

[@SlimDaddy9]

The bassline was written by the late Bernard "Who Do You Love" Wright. He was Roberta Flack's son.

[@captivatingangelofpassion6479]

I thought that WAS HER...??

[@captivatingangelofpassion6479]

@Slimdaddy9 Thank you for that history gem!!!

[@t.a.akinsete]

@@SlimDaddy9 Her ‘God son’, not son. He was also her musical director at one point at a young age. Was seriously talented early.

[@tianzi49]

brother Tom Brown straight-up repping and funking for Jamaica in Queens, USA!

[@zanohoriamazo1]

So I think I mentioned this in a reaction you did for Bernard ‘Nard’ Wright’s hit, ‘Who Do You Love’, which he did most of the production on, keyboard etc. The people in this video were Tom’s actual touring band, but the track was recorded by the GRP label musicians in the studio, except for the singer, the now late Toni Smith, sorry to say. Every one thought it was Chaka when this dropped. Toni actually sang in the band at my wedding reception 20yrs ago. So about the bass on this track: The deep bass sound you hear is actually the keyboard synth bass, which was played by Nard, & that was the bass for the whole track. The actual electric bass was played by the great Marcus Miller, but was being played with a pic, like a guitar, in harmony with the guitar part. Marcus wrote ‘Doin the But’, which came out of Spike Lee’s School Daze, as well as music for House Party 2 & 3. He’s also on Luther Vandross’ early work & Just the Two of us by Grover Washington. Received a Grammy for production of Miles Davis’ Tutu. For a short time there was a show called Night Music, which Marcus was the bass player for, & they perform that song when Miles was a guest.

[@olondotson9894]

R.I.P. 'Nard

[@ericg3065]

Thank you for the detailed history and production of this track.

[@captivatingangelofpassion6479]

I feel like I'm in the "University of Musical Legendary 🎼 Icons"!!! Thank you Appreciatively 😊 🙏 💜 Blessings to All our Exceptionally Exquisite Musicians and Songstress!! Grateful 🙏

[@4Dye]

Thank you for that knowledge. I always loved this song.

[@MrJnx713]

Stomp - by The Brothers Johnson Jack and Jill - by Raydio You Can't Change That - by Raydio Backstrokin - by Fatback Band All Night Thang - Invisible Man Band Misdemeanor - by Foster Sylvers

[@jacklowe3788]

Back Stroke hits a lick as well -

[@peterhudgens8817]

Check out “Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)” by Tom Browne.

[@yescarycan]

Sadly, singer Toni Smith died this year. She was the singer in this and thighs high.

[@captivatingangelofpassion6479]

Anything they made was genius! Did they make "Riding High"? It surely sound like them!?

[@darweshiblackwell2588]

@@captivatingangelofpassion6479 faze o

[@noizynaybah5827]

This is real authentic black soul music right here... Same thing I said about switch... Skate rink.. BBQ... Wedding... Birthday party... you take a group of black people from different parts of the country that have never seen each other in their life... Put this s*** on... And it's lit...

[@Greyareas27]

A lot of people assumed the song was about Jamaica West Indies. But all the references let us know it was Jamaica Queens NY. 165th St. was right in the shopping district were we all shopped, the ladies "got their hair did". Or took in a movie at the RKO Alden or the Loews' Valencia. Come at me, Jamaica Queens, back in tha day!

[@robinyip364]

Real music back in the day baby!!!!

[@leroywilliams1176]

That's the truth, funk songs have incredibly strong basslines which oftentimes is its predominate feature. Ironically, many people believed that Chaka Kahn was the lead vocalist on this song. But the reality is that Chaka a left her funk band "Rufus" and was a successful solo artist at the time of this recording. I think.....

[@yescarycan]

Sadly, singer Toni Smith died this year.

[@cienergi]

I just found out it wasn’t Chaka. She tells a story of how her grandmother thought it was her too😂

[@donalddavis6881]

I bumped this Jam in 1979 at garage party😂😂😃them Jokes didn’t what hit them💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾😁

[@TheFargo116]

You coming with the FIRE today....big hit for this Jazz/funk band in 1979.....when song first came out everyone thought the female singer was Chaka Khan

[@cvanz]

She was actually supposed to do this song. But her record company said no. They said no to many collaborations she wanted to do.

[@peterhudgens8817]

This timeless jam is soulful, funky and sexy.

[@clozrod8948]

You'll love Teena Marie's " Behind the groove "

[@donnadavis3422]

Love behind a groove.

[@JJKSeattle]

One of the BEST funk songs ever made!

[@adublbeatz8656]

One of those great feel good songs!! The ad-libs, instrumentation, vocals and energy!! Yeah, you feel like you could listen to it forever!!

[@jackp.548]

When this came out everybody thought it was Chaka Khan singing but was surprised to see this new star Toni Smith carrying the vocals

[@janelincolne]

I'd forgotten how good this sounds. The crowd went nuts when this came on in UK nightclubs! Love how the guys here are having fun with it, the crazy drummer and the amazing vocals of Toni Smith. Was joyful to see JJ's reaction, he took his earphones off to start again lol. His best reaction for sure ❤😊😊😊

[@IceManLikeGervin]

Nice reaction. This song is pure funkalicious dopeness...the bassline thumps and the female singer adds the finishing vocal touch to this serious jammy jam!

[@DarrylSellers]

That was one of the BEST JAMS of the 1980s! The bass is the BOMB! Check out, "Thighs High" by Tom Browne! The Bass and horns GO OFF in that song too!!! 😊👏🏾♬🎤🎶🎸🥁🎷🎹💯

[@spreadinglove8683]

Ah my jam! LOVE IT Doesn't get the attention it deserves thanks for bringing it! And my sister there You go girl!

[@wakeupstopsleeping6300]

The lead singer was Toni smith everyone thought that was Chaka khan she definitely sung like her. Unfortunately Toni passed away this year on the same day as Kobe Bryant in January. She had solo albums she was from the Bronx quite few artists from south jamaica queens like Nicki minaj 50cent Ja rule. When they mention 165th St is a shopping mall in fact the strip is shopping area I have aunt & cousins lives in south Jamaica and yes it's the borough not the carribean island. Now tom browne is airline pilot his album was a major hit he made a couple of album he didn't get that repeated success it hard in the business so he had to a regular gig I don't know if he still do music RIP TONI

[@TheFargo116]

Didnt know that Toni passed.....thanks for the info.....R.I.P.......NEVER forget folks who were the trailblazers from the past no matter how much success they had.....her family can be proud and say she sang on a hit that people remember til this day

[@wakeupstopsleeping6300]

Jay Kemp your welcome saw it on facebook

[@geli-anton]

This basic rythm is shared with ladies night kool and the gang, johnny guitar watson & you can do it al hudson. End of 79 & 80 are so rich. Disco died beautifully

[@mandyharewood886]

Brought everybody to the dance floor in the Caribbean. No feting without that Jamaica Funk!

[@stanleymoss7392]

P-Funk 🤘 started that heavy bass moog sound with Flashlight. I was 17 years old when Tom Browne's Funkin for Jamaica debuted. I thought it was another Parliament spin-off.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

I'm 74 was jamming to this when it was new. A classic. Thank you for bringing it to younger listeners. Still jam to it today how can you not??💕💕💕💕💕😊😊😊

[@sjmtc3450]

67 & I know how you feel

[@vincentwilliams71]

This us a all time classic song that will never get old .. 🔥👍🔥👍🔥👍🔥

[@donnapritchard3122]

Oh my god this is one of my all-time favorite dance tunes...could not keep me off the dance floor when this song was playing didn’t even have to be the dance floor one time I was at a Raiders game at a tailgate and we were jammin it dancing out in the parking lot whew!!

[@mawclw2003]

I remember when this came out it was a smash hit🎯

[@smittybenzo4693]

Wait til you hear Tom Browne - Grip Your Hips and Move

[@lorijosiegel8586]

This is one of the all time greatest and she is amazing and they are having so much fun

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

If I had to pick my favourite funk song of all time this would be it. That is just how good it is. great fore runner to rap too! way ahead of its time. Respect to Tom browne. the album love approach it came from is fabulous too! This song truly only gets better eveytime I hear it. Wow..that is some acheivement indeed TB

[@t.a.akinsete]

As a little kid, these were my top songs that shocked me that the artist/group I thought sung the songs were WRONG 😲!!! (Equal rank): 1. Jamaica Funk - Tom Brown (I thought was Chaka & Rufus) 2. Riding High - by Faze-O (thought it was Rick James for sure!) 3. Quality Time - by Craig T. Cooper (thought the lead vocals was Phyllis Hyman!) Learn not to assume much as you grow up & find out truth. All grown now ☺️

[@valdannfamr.2430]

Oh Yeah...Tom Browne and his band are no joke!🔥🔥 I can listen to this and Thighs High(grip your hips and move) all day. 🤩👍👍👍👍

[@ccbearcreek]

Flashback to my college dorm days. I love this funky and amazing jam.

[@isaiahthompson2065]

Cameo - I Just Want To Be ROY AYERS - Running Away Kool and the Gang - Ladies Night Mtume' - So You Wanna Be A Star Bonnie Pointer - Free Me From My Freedom Pointer Sisters - Bet'cha Got A Chick On The Side B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone

[@ksager123]

Mtume Love lock

[@Cameo718.]

Damn impossible to duplicate..what an era..Real instruments real artists real composers real composition real vocalists.. What happened!

[@billybrownjr5064]

Zero lies told. You actually had to be able to sing and play back in the day.

[@sjmtc3450]

Techno & auto tune happened.....sadly

[@onyx06191987]

When this song played in the clubs, you did not need a partner, you just got off them walls and started dancing. Yesssss....

[@shamoriwall]

Thanks For playing My older sisters Song. She’s the Writer & Singer of This song “Funking For Jamaica”. She passed away January 27, 2020. 😢😢😢😢😭😢😭😢😭😭😢😭

[@gephat]

At the age of 15(?) Bernard Wright (RIP) plays the bass synthesizer and elec. piano. RIP Toni Smith co-writer/lead vocals.

[@lindaulloa4786]

Absolutely love this song!! Always got me out on the dance floor!

[@johnm506]

My friend 1980’s bass. OMG !!! my friend James Brown is the influence behind this you can hear it all over the track. I was dancing to this great funk track in the clubs of London way back in 1979 when it was released aged 24 and now at 68 I still can’t keep still when I hear this track. Where James walked so many followed Parliament AWB Brass Construction Ohio Players etc. Thank god long live real music long live funk You have great taste my friend keep the faith and real music alive ❤️ So much out there from this era not reacted to by young u tubers Galaxy of Love Crown Heights Affair Movin Brass Construction Expansions Lonny Liston Smith Let’s go round Again. AWB I found Love The Fatback Band Do it Any Way you Wanna People’s Choice Turn the Music Up The Players Association to name but a few it’s an education in 70s funk and disco. My generation were so fortunate to have grown up in a fabulous musical era. There wasn’t any drum machine not auto tune no computer generated mediocrity. Just real music ❤️

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Boy did they have just plain fun and love of 🎶 and life with this one. Always play it when I'm feeling a little down brings me up. When I'm happy makes me smile and laugh more... Classic!!!!!!!!

[@terrymarshall7688]

A fantastic song and I'm in love with the lady!!!!!!!!!!

[@yousexymf]

If you like bass listen to CHIC. Good Times, Everybody Dance and I Want Your Love

[@Discobiscuit372]

yousexymf JJ has already reacted to some Chic songs, you’ll find them in his videos 👍

[@yousexymf]

@@Discobiscuit372 I'm new to his channel

[@yousexymf]

@@Discobiscuit372 I don't see Everybody Dance

[@Discobiscuit372]

yousexymf Oh, I think he did Good Times, Le Freak and My forbidden Lover.....he will read your comment and maybe do Everybody Dance when he has time 👍

[@yousexymf]

@@Discobiscuit372 I just checked them out. When he jumped on the bed reacting to I Want Your Love I started laughing but I feel him

[@aaronstielstra6055]

Untouchable funk groove. The Moog bass just lethal.

[@HeidiMondon]

We heard this song all the way over in Germany.... it was the Bomb back in da day.... yes, its dedicated to Queens, NY along the A-line subway.... that studio became a Chinese restaurant, Tom Brown did a short biography of the song and how it came about when he went to visit the bandmembers, who sadly, most had died to drugs. He became a Pilot. Here is the documentary - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5CYmnapZ5WJg8ksi=ma5kzHlQVxVvhXGW This song will never ever get old and yes, the bass you are hearing is not from a guitar but from a box that the one heavier guy is manipulating.

[@lara314]

I was waiting for this one. The singer was def a Chaka Khan fan. 🎶😊👍

[@grandgnd]

ALL TIME CLASSIC - Jamaica Queens - Bernard Wright was down with the Jamaica Funk crew... Yes it’s looped.

[@olondotson9894]

R.I.P. 'Nard

[@creamone]

Sutphin blvd, 115th drive used to be my stomping grounds in the 70's, 80's, Jamaica, Queens

[@dontgiveinfo]

oh man! the horns the HORNS section, the bass was crazzzzy! and the deep smooth vocals! you don't here this now adays

[@CrystalPalace1861]

Big shout out for Tom Brown and Toni Smith they're forever alive❣️ By the way this tune in Chaka Khan voice even goes to another level...💖

[@ab-mb7wi]

When he took the headphones off @2:35 I could feel him thinkin', "Damn I missed out of those days!" ... Real musicians; rap / hip hop was starting; girls danced with guys. Next jam - "Thighs High". Another is "Let's Dance".

[@clozrod8948]

So glad new generations are listening to this great tune. You can break down every individual part of the song and listen to how great this song is.

[@shortblockflexinit5219]

Glad you found this. One of my all-time favorites. Never a party or family gathering where this isn't played. It lights me up the minute it starts.

[@trains2122]

It is my pleasure to inform you that it was all about the bass in the 70's & 80's FUNK!

[@Whitebrowpriest]

LOL, that's so adorable how so many of this younger generation thinks that certain things began with them, lol. For example, like heavy, kicking, gutteral basslines. Hehe, y'all be doing things and be into things you don't even realize you had been influenced by what came before you. Hehehe, it's just so darn cute. :D Can you imagine hearing this at parties when the DJ had really huge subwoofers blazin'? Let me tell ya, those dance floors was lit when this track was bangin'. ;)

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

what's really odd about this song is that it was SO popular that nobody paid any attention to the other songs on the album "Love Approach" and it's one of the best jazz funk albums I ever heard. I love the album so much I bought 3 copies of it.

[@leroywilliams1176]

Funk music always have outstanding basslines; and so, please react to the Nick Straker's Band "Just A Little Bit of Jazz".....

[@Julie-ev5js]

Fun to watch you to react to songs that I danced to as a late teen/young adult. Honey, the best dance music of the late 70s/early 80s had the funkiest bass lines.

[@jonesaundre3]

Whats just as amazing as this masterpiece is their musical connection with eachother, it's beautiful to see... just wow.

[@winslow551]

Yesssssssssssss! Thanks for the reaction. Don't stop here.

[@rudypops1967]

Watching you hear this for the first time made me feel like I was when i was 13. Jams from the Old School, keep on!

[@MsZenT]

Hey Just Jammin! This is one of my all-time favorite songs. This is at the top of my playlist along with all of Prince of course. This song is my long drive song. Along with "Ridin' High" by Faze-O. Jamaican Funk is THE all-time party song. Keep doing what you're doing. Peace...Be and Stay Safe!!!

[@Stacey-ki4qc]

Am glad to see someone younger enjoying this classic. I was 9 when this came out this was the jam and still is.. 👏🏾👏🏾✌🏾#MYGENERATION

[@JustJammin]

Real recognize real.

[@mulatanyc865]

These guys are fantastic! First time listening to this song. The instrumental is amazing the female vocalist had a fabulous voice. All & all a together great group and song.

[@mingmong007]

This was the jam, even in Toronto. I loved watching you feel it. My top 10.

[@keithshowell6688]

Top 5 bass lines of all time! ALL TIME!!! I used to argue that Toni was NOT Chaka Khan...RIP, Thomassina C. Smith.

[@barryg.5224]

One of my favorite songs of all-time, & IMO one of the best funk jams ever created, I can listen to it on repeat for hours, & even though I've literally heard it thousands of times, her solo STILL gives me chills. R.I.P. Toni Smith

[@laminage]

This was The Jam in NIghtclubs back in the day. I love seeing the reactions of Folks like yourself when you hear this music.

[@tdproductionchannel3395]

Classic. Others to check out by the great Tom Brown include "Thighs High" and "Turn it Up". Another artist with to many songs to list.

[@arelettia5670]

Love the drummer!! This was the jam!! The good old days!

[@dontabaltimore1974]

1980, a great year for music overall and certainly for black music

[@chiefraa7693]

Tom Browne outstanding bass and trumpet

[@michelemichele3375]

Getting ready to request this. Props. And love. Jamaica, NY in the funky house!!! 🤪

[@brickjones3831]

That bass is a Keyboard Bass played by The Late Great Bernard Smith who just passed last Month and Ironically when you did the reaction the Woman singing Toni smith who co wrote the song passed in Jan of 2020. This Queens Collaborative consisted of the Great Marcus Miller ,Dave Grusin, Bobby Boom actually what you think is Gtr is Miller on the Bass. after this Miles Davis asked him to join his band Bernard wnt on to Fame as a solo act and a sessionmusician that song was basically just a jam session put on wax getting musicians from your neighborhood to come just jam out. BONA NY CLASSIC

[@louiscormier2203]

No one could ever have replaced Toni here. I love Chaka but her tone is too bright for this Queens' gem. Old school canuck here: My all-time #1 fav funk tune....soooo sweet. Love it...

[@abmqa]

When my Woofer gets hungry, this is the song I feed it. 😁😁🔥🔥

[@bdfm34]

GREAT SONG FROM MY CHILDHOOD. I WAS 11 YEARS OLD

[@aaliyahforney9414]

I am truly love old music

[@billmorales1337]

Bumping my lowrider with this jam in the day!!

[@lepoetress]

You're living up to your name - Just Jammin'. You bringing the heat with your selections!!

[@simplesally9630]

This will always be my favorite song! Whenever I hear it, the music seems to spread through my veins and just lifts me up. Instantly, makes me want to move!

[@improperbostonian6722]

Smoking a Spliff back in the day and Funkin' For Jamaica it's 1979 again!

[@ricmotta2495]

One of the all time most fun jam sessions.

[@vampoftrance]

They are singing about Bootsy Collins who was it at the time. We grew up with these songs about women enjoying it.

[@xandreaballard2222]

By gones be by gones tom browne a Banger as well!!!!!

[@EdwinRodriguez-n3t]

The song..bon bon vie by t.s. monk was also a hit on the radio too in those times..😁👍

[@Ohioman01]

This is one of my all-time favorite songs to listen to! Loved it as a teenager growing up in the 80s

[@MarieProvost77]

Late '70s/early '80s, Rap was breaking ground along with the pre-Hip Hop Funkiness of Tom Browne, Gap Band, George Clinton/Parliament - for me, it feels like an expansion of freedom for a more diverse community - there's a "who gives a f...K" joy to it that's hard to imagine erupting in these times.

[@donalddavis6881]

Back when I was DJing,😎busted this out when it first the record shop

[@dontgiveinfo]

a gem of a song

[@kw1333]

This takes me right back summer 1980.....

[@kevmfish1995]

Southside Jamaica Queens. Definitely an extended version. I believes it's around 7 minutes if not longer. Great review!