New topic
Printable| Author | Message |
The Best of Jamaica Funk ("That's What It Is") NYC : Tom Browne, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller, etc. ...
The two recent threads on Twennynine's hit, "Peanut Butter", and Tom Browne's classic, "Funkin For Jamaica", as well as another one on early eighties funk prompted this thread, about all the Kats that hailed from Jamaica, Queens, NYC...the collective consisted of artists like Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, Bernard Wright, Don Blackman, Lenny White, Bobby Broom, Omar Hakim, Barry "Son John" Johnson", and Denzil Miller, as well as other NYC kats like Eddie Martinez and Nicky Moroch,                 
...and the common denominator , besides the neighborhood, was the late Weldon Irvine Jr., the lyricist of "To Be Young Gifted and Black". a writer, composer, playwright, Keyboardist and Bandleader, Weldon Irvine was seen by many as the local Quincy Jones, and most of the Kats came up under his tutelage, and were in his bands at one time or another... in the late 70's, keyboardist/ arranger/producer Dave Grusin, (along with partner Larry Rosen) began to sweep through NYC gathering talent for his GRP record label, and among artists like Angela Bofill, he began to find several talented players like Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, and Bernard Wright,, and Bobby Broom... all were excellent Jazz players, yet they also grew up loving Funk and Rock, and were adept at switching and blending styles at the drop of a hat...several were signed to the Grp label, and some like Marcus Miller signed with other labels...but from '79 to '84, Funk, R&B and Jazz fans got a heavy dose of the Jamaica Queens sound... Tom Browne broke with "Funkin For Jamaica", and "Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)", Lenny White's band Twennynine hit with "Peanut Butter", and "Kid Stuff", while Bernard Wright and Don Blackman got some inside funk with tracks like "Haboglabotribbin", "Bread Sandwiches", "Holding You, Loving You", and "Who Do You Love"...Eddie Martinez would later provide the memorable guitar lines for Run-DMC tracks like Rock Box and King Of Rock, and then Marcus Miller, while putting out solo albums, quickly became The in-demand bassist. He recorded for thousands of sessions, but when he began to produce with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, and Dave Sanborn, he really took off... Give it up for the Jamica Kats!! ... [Edited 6/8/06 11:29am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
paligap said: in the late 70's, keyboardist/ arranger/producer Dave Grusin, (along with partner Larry Rosen) began to sweep through NYC gathering talent for his GRP record label, and among artists like Angela Bofill, he began to find several talented players like Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, and Bernard Wright,, and Bobby Broom... all were excellent Jazz players, yet they also grew up loving Funk and Rock, and were adept at switching and blending styles at the drop of a hat...several were signed to the Grp label, and some like Marcus Miller signed with other labels...but from '79 to '84, Funk, R&B and Jazz fans got a heavy dose of the Jamaica Queens sound...
Please, tell me you didn't just know all that off the top of your head. Good stuff!  Now, how many of those are available on the small shiny discs? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
RipHer2Shreds said: paligap said: in the late 70's, keyboardist/ arranger/producer Dave Grusin, (along with partner Larry Rosen) began to sweep through NYC gathering talent for his GRP record label, and among artists like Angela Bofill, he began to find several talented players like Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, and Bernard Wright,, and Bobby Broom... all were excellent Jazz players, yet they also grew up loving Funk and Rock, and were adept at switching and blending styles at the drop of a hat...several were signed to the Grp label, and some like Marcus Miller signed with other labels...but from '79 to '84, Funk, R&B and Jazz fans got a heavy dose of the Jamaica Queens sound...
Please, tell me you didn't just know all that off the top of your head. Good stuff! Now, how many of those are available on the small shiny discs?It's sad, but, Yup....but the Jamaica Kats, that's definitely one o'my favorite musical subjects, (especially since it doesn't get mentioned that often....for example, Rickey Vicent's great Funk book just skipped this little area entirely..I know it wasn't all THAT huge, but I think it at least deserved a mention...) anyway, Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, the first two Marcus Millers and Tom Browne's stuff are all on disc, but only as Imports (don't that figure!)...and a few years ago, all the Twennynine discs were released in Japan, but have since gone out of print (don't THAT figure!!) ...but if you're lookin' for particular tracks, orgnote me! 
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: RipHer2Shreds said: Please, tell me you didn't just know all that off the top of your head. Good stuff! Now, how many of those are available on the small shiny discs?It's sad, but, Yup....but the Jamaica Kats, that's definitely one o'my favorite musical subjects, (especially since it doesn't get mentioned that often....for example, Rickey Vicent's great Funk book just skipped this little area entirely..I know it wasn't all THAT huge, but I think it at least deserved a mention...) anyway, Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, the first two Marcus Millers and Tom Browne's stuff are all on disc, but only as Imports (don't that figure!)...and a few years ago, all the Twennynine discs were released in Japan, but have since gone out of print (don't THAT figure!!) ...but if you're lookin' for particular tracks, orgnote me!
... are the songs mostly jazz? i know funkin for jamaica which is the shit but i'm not familiar with the other stuff by tom browne. is it similar or a lot more jazz influenced? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: RipHer2Shreds said: Now, how many of those are available on the small shiny discs? Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, the first two Marcus Millers and Tom Browne's stuff are all on disc, but only as Imports (don't that figure!)...and a few years ago, all the Twennynine discs were released in Japan, but have since gone out of print (don't THAT figure!!) Don't forget, Lenny White's stuff is available domestically on CD. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
RipHer2Shreds said: paligap said: in the late 70's, keyboardist/ arranger/producer Dave Grusin, (along with partner Larry Rosen) began to sweep through NYC gathering talent for his GRP record label, and among artists like Angela Bofill, he began to find several talented players like Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, and Bernard Wright,, and Bobby Broom... all were excellent Jazz players, yet they also grew up loving Funk and Rock, and were adept at switching and blending styles at the drop of a hat...several were signed to the Grp label, and some like Marcus Miller signed with other labels...but from '79 to '84, Funk, R&B and Jazz fans got a heavy dose of the Jamaica Queens sound...
Please, tell me you didn't just know all that off the top of your head. Good stuff! Now, how many of those are available on the small shiny discs?Paligap's tha shit....trust me on this | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Know nothing of this funk  but I'm willing to learn. Just searchin for it right now.
Ricky Vincent's book is excellent, BTW, I'd love to take the class he teaches on Hip Hop. Thx Pali! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Najee too. Why do you like playing around with my narrow scope of reality? - Stupify | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
 paligap well done. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
anon said: Najee too.
Oh Yeah, I Forgot !! Thanx, Anon!! 
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dancerella said: are the songs mostly jazz? i know funkin for jamaica which is the shit but i'm not familiar with the other stuff by tom browne. is it similar or a lot more jazz influenced? You've heard "Thighs High", though, right? if not, check that out immediately! But most of his stuff from that era was a mix-- Funk, Jazz, dance stuff-- it was all kinda mixed on the same records. Most of his recent stuff is more jazz oriented... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
CinisterCee said: paligap said: Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, the first two Marcus Millers and Tom Browne's stuff are all on disc, but only as Imports (don't that figure!)...and a few years ago, all the Twennynine discs were released in Japan, but have since gone out of print (don't THAT figure!!) Don't forget, Lenny White's stuff is available domestically on CD. Yeah, his fusion solo albums are out domestically --but all the Twennynine imports are out of print, and that stuff really should have been put out here a long time ago   ....
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: It's sad, but, Yup....but the Jamaica Kats, that's definitely one o'my favorite musical subjects, (especially since it doesn't get mentioned that often....for example, Rickey Vicent's great Funk book just skipped this little area entirely..I know it wasn't all THAT huge, but I think it at least deserved a mention...) anyway, Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, the first two Marcus Millers and Tom Browne's stuff are all on disc, but only as Imports (don't that figure!)...and a few years ago, all the Twennynine discs were released in Japan, but have since gone out of print (don't THAT figure!!) The Weldon albums are/were as well available on Japanese cd . Most titles appear on Ebay any now & then . And i believe they're still available through www.amazon.com & www.cduniverse.com There's a special recent project which tributes Weldon : http://www.donblackman.co...adou2.html GREAT TOP PALI
dancerella said: are the songs mostly jazz? i know funkin for jamaica which is the shit but i'm not familiar with the other stuff by tom browne. is it similar or a lot more jazz influenced? It's a mixture of jazz & funk . Grusin & Rosen were comin' mainly from the jazz-area and with their Arista-GRP deal they wanted to set new boundaries with this mixture of styles . 
Nard scored in 1985 with this track , which later was re-launched as sample for LL Cool J . Also he introduced the coming-up Jamaica Boys-project in the liner-notes of his Mr. Wright album . [Edited 6/8/06 11:29am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
100MPH said: paligap said: It's sad, but, Yup....but the Jamaica Kats, that's definitely one o'my favorite musical subjects, (especially since it doesn't get mentioned that often....for example, Rickey Vicent's great Funk book just skipped this little area entirely..I know it wasn't all THAT huge, but I think it at least deserved a mention...) anyway, Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, the first two Marcus Millers and Tom Browne's stuff are all on disc, but only as Imports (don't that figure!)...and a few years ago, all the Twennynine discs were released in Japan, but have since gone out of print (don't THAT figure!!) The Weldon albums are/were as well available on Japanese cd . Most titles appear on Ebay any now & then . And i believe they're still available through www.amazon.com & www.cduniverse.com There's a special recent project which tributes Weldon : http://www.donblackman.co...adou2.html GREAT TOP PALI
dancerella said: are the songs mostly jazz? i know funkin for jamaica which is the shit but i'm not familiar with the other stuff by tom browne. is it similar or a lot more jazz influenced? It's a mixture of jazz & funk . Grusin & Rosen were comin' mainly from the jazz-area and with their Arista-GRP deal they wanted to set new boundaries with this mixture of styles .
Nard scored in 1985 with this track , which later was re-launched as sample for LL Cool J . Also he introduced the coming-up Jamaica Boys-project in the liner-notes of his Mr. Wright album . [Edited 6/8/06 11:29am]  Man, I was Hoping you would show up!!! Thanks for the rest of the story!!
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: Give it up for the Jamica Kats!!
As usual, great post. Speaking of the Jamaica sound, 100MPH just mentioned...  
...The Jamaica Boys . Consisting of Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Mark Stevens (Chaka's brother). Their material is difficult to find now days. There's a video of Spend Some Time up on youtube, but not Shake It Up. tA  Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 [Edited 6/8/06 11:34am] "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
theAudience said: paligap said: Give it up for the Jamica Kats!!
As usual, great post. Speaking of the Jamaica sound, 100MPH just mentioned...
...The Jamaica Boys . Consisting of Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Mark Stevens (Chaka's brother). Their material is difficult to find now days. There's a video of Spend Some Time up on youtube, but not Shake It Up. tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 [Edited 6/8/06 11:34am] Man, I'd like to see the Shake it up video again!!! Thanx, tA!! ... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
...
I forgot to mention that, just before his tragic death in 2002, Weldon Irvine was giving Q-Tip and Common piano lessons, as well as alternating Keyboards with Bernie Worrell on Mos Def's Black Jack Johnson project.... ... [Edited 6/8/06 11:41am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: Man, I was Hoping you would show up!!! Thanks for the rest of the story!!
... 
You have this album from Bobby too ? This was one of the last Arista/GRP productions that i know of ( 1984 ) Outstanding on here are : - Find Yourself - He Said I Love You - Let It Go ( featuring Don Blackman on synth-bass  )
Like you mentioned already , the Arista/GRP-era was a 1 of a kind . Great for collectors to get the catalogue complete , because almost every album has great tracks .  
  
The 2 above are more jazz-orientated . They released also some soulful kinda pop acts . 
Keith's brother 
Some Jamaican cats played on this joint too ( Tom , Bobby , Marcus , Buddy Williams , Dave Valentin )  [Edited 6/8/06 12:17pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: theAudience said: As usual, great post. Speaking of the Jamaica sound, 100MPH just mentioned...
...The Jamaica Boys . Consisting of Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Mark Stevens (Chaka's brother). Their material is difficult to find now days. There's a video of Spend Some Time up on youtube, but not Shake It Up. tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 [Edited 6/8/06 11:34am] Man, I'd like to see the Shake it up video again!!! Thanx, tA!! ... http://youtube.com/watch?...ica%20boys | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
100MPH said: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rQgkG2p2-Qo&search=bernard%20wright
Thanks for posting that! I've not seen that video. Hot. 
 @ the chorus. You know they were dizzy and getting bumped around. Too funny.
... [Edited 6/8/06 19:46pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
100MPH said:
I bought this album late last year and love it. I listen to it often. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
PALI!!! 
100!!!!
Too much!!! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Paligap,thanks for all the info! I gotta go out and find some of these records. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'm sorry,I've always hated that Funkin For Jamaica song. I DON'T WANT TO BE NORMAL,because normal is part of the status quo,which I don't want to be a part of- Tori Amos | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
100MPH said: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rQgkG2p2-Qo&search=bernard%20wright
Man, that one took me back! thanks, 100MPH!
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Great Post! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
theAudience said: paligap said: Give it up for the Jamica Kats!!
As usual, great post. Speaking of the Jamaica sound, 100MPH just mentioned...
...The Jamaica Boys . Consisting of Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Mark Stevens (Chaka's brother). Their material is difficult to find now days. There's a video of Spend Some Time up on youtube, but not Shake It Up. http://youtube.com/watch?...ica%20boys | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |