A Teenage Phenom & A Genius Bass Line 

Just one omission, and I’m sure Bobby, Dave Grusin and those there will confirm; who WROTE the bass line that was given to ‘Nard when he said “oh, I dig?” TYVM.

I know Bernard Wright. He lived in my neighborhood and was very approachable and personable. Even when his hit song Who Do You Love was on heavy radio rotation Bernard Wright was celebrating his success with us in the hood. I love Bernard for that. He is a genious to me. I'll miss you Bernard.

RIP Benard Wright. He was a genius at 16.

Funkin For Jamaica is an all time favorite. Learning that Bernard Wright played on this song AND created another all time fave Who Do You Love is wild!

It still is THE BEST music and sound I’ve EVER listened to. Jaimaica Funk is in a class by itself! 👏🏾👏🏾

Wow! I had no idea 'Nard passed. I met 'Nard back in High School along with Bobby Broom and Marcus Miller. I remember 'Nard sitting in on an impromptu Jam session in school, and he sat down and played like McCoy Tyner! He had sooooo much genius in him! I wish he had been recognized more for his talent. R.I.P. Bernard Wright.

Funkin for Jamaica is one of THE BEST funk grooves! That bass line???? Sheesh!

Great knowledge and RIP always to Bernard Wright and to singer Tonni Smith who we lost in 2020 for her voice is also the reason this record did so well

Yes it is one of the best pieces of music ever created. We will be listening to this tune 100s of years from now.

This was a Golden Era for Jazz, R&B, Funk and Hip Hop music and musicians in Queens NY ! The High School Talent Shows were crazy back then .Tom Browne's Jamaica Funk was one of the records that ushered that Golden Era in. Salute to you for highlighting that song.

RIP Nard! I grew up with this song. I love it to this day. I cannot "not" dance to it when I hear it. I don't care where I am, it moves me!!!!! I love you all and thank you so much for the music! This song is timeless!!!!!!!

2022 I’m a Chicano from So. Cal and still Bang this in my 88 MC. Love the history and education you share here. To all our favorite Old School thank you all for the timeless classics. Thank you and RiP to Bernard Wright

I could hear his genius in "Who do you love" There's a few of us that listen to music and hear every instrument separately. His voice, also. I enjoy Bernard's music. It just stood out for me. RIP

YES!!!!! THIS IS WHAT WE NEED!!!!! A BREAKDOWN OF HOW THE CLASSICS WERE PRODUCED AND PUT TOGETHER!!!! LOVE IT!!!!

Hobaglobatribin was my jam. My uncle came back from Germany with all these records ....my odyssey into funk had begun.👌

Makes sense now why I always gets goosebumps with this particular song. Bernard’s playing was so on point and colourful. RIP

Wow I had no idea there was so much going on to make this deceptively simple tune jam so hard. Expertly broken down and explained, my man. Also your enthusiasm for these masterworks is really something…If you know the tracks it makes you feel delighted to hear it explained, and if you don’t it makes you want learn more.

We really need to celebrate these geniuses more. If we don’t, who will. Keep it up brah…we need this.

As a musician on the DFW music scene, it was a pleasure to play with, sit and talk with, and get to know Nard. Rest in peace OG

Herbie's "Chameleon" is another song where the synth bass was so prominent, the bass player, in that case Paul Jackson went way up and played a bass part that functioned more like a muted single note rhythm guitar line.

RIP Bernard - thank you for posting this! ♥

These were young geniuses. If I’m not mistaken, Marcus , Bernard,and Gruisin played on Thighs High. That was one of my favorite jams. I also loved the song Chillin Out from Bernard’s solo album. Awesome track!

Another stellar episode by PDBASS. Thank you! RIP Mr Wright!!!!!! Thank You!!!!!!!!

Classic 🔥🔥🔥 I’m 55yrs old and remember when I first heard this song!! In my top 10 songs of all time!

Beautiful breakdown! Funkin for Jamaica is one of my all time favorite jamz! 😍 RIP Bernard 🙏🏽❤

This gave me chills!!! Thank you for this break down of one of my favorite songs of all times. Glad this video came up in my recommendations!!!!!🙏🏾🙌🏾❤️

I took lessons in Dallas from nard he was the kindest person I ever met had his record as well as Toto with miles and Marcus I will always remember what a gental beautiful soul he was just being in the space with him he gave me a lot so with love and appreciation thank you nard you won’t be forgotten peace

have listened to this tune countless times and somehow never checked the credits. had absolutely no idea nard, marcus miller, AND bobby broom played on it. foolish! incredible video as always. RIP to nard and condolences to his family. one of the greatest to ever do it

Marcus miller is a bloody legend and didn’t get the credit he deserved. Amazing bassist

Yo i am 68 and from NY. Listened to this song nuumerous times, brother i will be listening with new appreciation. Break it down my brother, all info here was mind blowing. PEACE.

Thank you for this informative piece! I am very glad I grew up during that beautiful time period - late 70's, early to mid 80's! Great time in music!

I didn’t know Bernard Wright passed…one of my fav all time songs “Who do you love”…wow!

I was blessed to grow up with Len, Nard, Marcus and Khris Kellow as a young 15 year old So much magic on 141st ave...Thank you Len, Nard and Chris for everything you guys saved me.

These jams still hold as stables of what great music is to this very day and are still getting played! Now that’s what a classic is! I loved it then and still do now! 👍🏽

A simply brilliant description and analysis of this eternally contagious song. It's still irresistible in its good time thump, gospel foot tap and soulful vocals. Didn't know Bernard had recently passed. Gone way too soon. Nonetheless this made my day and thank you for this delicious flashback and the enlightening story behind it! 😇

Hey Pd, once again your documentation of Bernard Wright is off the charts. I grew up in Jamaica,Queens and knew Nard. As a musician, we all admired Nard’s exceptional talent. We were blessed to see Nard, Marcus, Lenny, Omar and Donald Blackman create a legendary mark on the music world. Rest In Peace brother Bernard Wright. We will miss you. Pd you are a treasure to the bass world.

I saw the thumbnail & had no idea that I would stumble across a fav classic! Thank You… I never get enough of the oldies but goodies fm my childhood ❤️

This is a great video on the history of this song. Had you never made this, I would've never known how significant it was for all of those great musicians to have met up and laid a foundational record.

Paul’s genius breakdown of a genius song w amazing piano chord stacks, & amazing everything else. Thx for taking your followers deep into these songs we either know & love, or wonder how we didn’t already!

I grew up on Blue note records and learned to appreciate the excellence of great music and committed musicians. Great to discover your channel and see music from a technical perspective. Your channel makes learning about music date night for me and Mrs. TY

Thanks for this tribute! Nard was an influential teacher and friend to many of us in Dallas, and bands like Snarky Puppy, Funky Knuckles, and Ghost Note all spawn from his tutelage. The year of weekly residency we had was better than all my music education before or since. We sat and talked just a couple days before he passed. He was always the teacher, even as frustrating as a true zen master sometimes. I mean, listen to the lyrics to "Just Chillin' Out" or "Music Is The Key"..

Thank you for the history and breakdown! Nard was one of my all time favorite musicians. I was blessed to hear him many times out in the Dallas area over the years. RIP Nard!

As a none professional musician, when listening to some of my favorite songs or just songs that make me listen intently, I often wonder what the vibe was like in the room. This was explained beautifully and I get it. Everyone heres differently but what we all can agree on is that we heard something special and oh so beautiful. Thank you to all those involved on the project. #musicgivesmelife

This break down is one of my fave tracks. I never want it to end. That synth bass is just too dirty 👌🏾

Man when that song came out, I'll never forget, I was cruisin 42nd street with a friend and the song hit, stereo system turned up and we debated, Jazz, Funk, Pop. I did not have it figured to be a keyboard bass, and could not determine the strum i was hearing. Man that song is epic, I am still DJing and that song is still in my lineup when it gets funky.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

👁 knew Bernard Wright in the High School of Music & Art in 1982 & legend there about Bernard that not only he was super talented but he had eleven (11) fingers. He taught me a chord progression on the keyboards 🎹 that 👁 play 2 this day. Indeed a gifted person at the tender age of 16.

Awesome job brother! Jamaica funk is still in my top 5 funky dance tunes😎

Wow I’m from that era my son plays the guitar. I’m always turning him on to the old school era. I enjoyed the musical break down great show brother.

So happy I came across this video and great piece of work 🫶🏽 I met Nard at a recording session in NYC in the early 90’s. Such a great dude too. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Bernard Wright's 'Nard was incredible!!! I still bump it to this day!! RIP Bernard Wright

Thank you for this beautiful tribute to one of the most appropriate and innovative artist I've ever had the honor to know! May God bless him, and I thank God for allowing me to experience Bernards beauty musically!

Wicked video! Love the breakdown and the story behind the classic........ RiP Mr Wright. Bless.

TRUE appreciation for this!🙏🏾🤙🏾✨🚀

Thanks for yet another great tribute and history lesson!

Heaven gained another magnificent virtuoso , R I P Bernard Wright. You are truly missed. 🥲

absolute rollerskate jam. The block party, the BBQ, the hot sun of that summer and this song...if you know, you KNOW.

🔥💯😎👍🏾…JF definitely was and still “Dat Jam”. A Classic Masterpiece of FUNK.. R.I.P. to Mr. Bernard Wright..Thanks for posting.

Love your content brother. Nard was amazing!! Marcus is genius as well.

I subsequently lived in NYC for 25 years and loved skating to this in Central Park, but it never occurred to me that this was about Jamaica *Queens.* Derp. Also didn’t know Marcus Miller was involved. Wicked. // Listening to this breakdown, it’s clear why it’s so difficult to repeat or duplicate ‘genius’ like this, because crafting music like this involves such brilliantly arbitrary elements. The song is unique, and you can’t make a formula from it. It’s like the phrase “catching lightning in a bottle.” Ephemeral intelligence.

no matter where you were.....no matter what you was doing......no matter who you were with......no matter the time of day or whatever.......that lone trumpet note was the call. I'm 63 now and I still get goosebumps when I hear that note. So now I gotta go get funky I'm from the UK and thaaaaaat was an anthem to beat ALL tunes Thanks for the memory, thank you so very much, I'm a kid dancing again

Thanks for breaking each part down. I found this song a couple of years ago and love everything about it. The piano part is especially outstanding. Minimoog for the bassline, it's a timeless track full of essential music culture

Thank you for this breakdown. I'm going back to give it another listen... AND... Bobby Broom shouts out to Lenny White's Astral Pirates! Finally someone gives it props! Thanks again

When I saw the Thomas Brown album picture the first person I thought of was Marcus Miller. I saw Marcus being interviewed about his playing on one of T. Brown's songs. As great as Marcus is he asked the interviewer to "play the horn solo" redirecting the attention away from himself and putting it on the artist he was working for. Marcus proceeded to air trumpet through the solo hitting each "note" 40+ years after it was recorded. Marcus started on clarinet and then moved to sax, he could sight read, but remembering that particular song out of the 1,000s of songs he's written and played on just blows my mind. Speaking of session players that blazed, guys like Marcus and Ray Parker Jr. were playing & standing side by side with the greatest session musicians, and greatest musicians period when the were still teenagers and putting out incredible performances over and over again is just beyond comprehension ( it just blows my mind thinking of a 21 year old Marcus playing with Miles Davis).

Nard and I were friends at 12 years old. Normally I never write on these things, but seeing someone paying homage to all these Jamaica, New York musicians warms my heart. Nard and I would loose connection from time to time. The Jamaica Kats

Such an incredible track...love it...

Thank you Sir, for doing this video. I always like the way you break it down! Nice tribute to Nard and to that legendary funk track, Funking for Jamaica. RIP Bernard Wright 🙏🏽

Bro, thank you for making this video! Bernard would be much proud, in fact he would be tripping and smiling.

Every body outside of Queens believed this song was titled after Jamaica the country. We love it no less for it being about an area of NY. I miss my youth, (wipes tear)

This is one of the best youtube conversations I've seen in awhile. I'm "subscribing" and "thumbs up" to everyone involved. 👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿

When I was in high school, there were 3 iconic songs: FUNKIN' FOR JAMAICA, MORE BOUNCE TO THE OUNCE: ROGER, BILLIE JEAN: MJ. These songs made people have to get better speakers for their cars!

This is absolutely wonderful!!! Thanks for putting this together and sharing this history and the “anatomy” of Funkin For Jamaica. So dope.🤟🏿💯✊🏿😀❤️

I had no idea Marcus Miller and Bernard Wright were in Funkin for Jamaica. Great content!

Thank you so very much for the breakdown and back story!! Amen, Brother.

Greetings from Finland! Soundtrack of my youth... Bobby Broom's Clean Sweep is another classic album from those days. Your analysis always opens up various tracks and bassists even to non-musician like me 🙂👍

Come forth by day Nard!!! A musician's musician. And yes he did use space brillaintly....allowing the track room to breath.

Great Show ...👍👍👍👍👍 Thanks for This😊😎

Greetings. This video is spectacular and much needed. The well loved song Funking for Jamaica is bodacious and gold!!! 🥇 🏆 😎🥳🤑💫💯🔥Thank u so much for sharing this interesting info ✔️✔️✅✅🎵🎵

Thank you so much for covering this history... Representing Jamaica Queens for life...

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying this channel. Dopest bass-related content. I appreciate the low-key approach, backed up by deep knowledge.

Without a doubt. Tom Brown Jamaica Funk is one the Best Funk songs of all times. They are 3 of my favorite musicians of all times. Blessings to you Bernard Wright.

RIP 'Nard. Your sound is a huge portion of the soundtrack of my life. Thank you so much.

That was art of music That we don't see anymore these days🎹🔥🔥🔥

I must say your videos are so informative. Things that I never would have known otherwise. I’m a young guy, so learning about these great musicians is an eye opener. Thank you.

This was awsome! R.I.P Bernard Wright.

Thank you for breaking this down. Outstanding job 👏👏👏

Great music. Nard was one of my teachers even though he was so young. Did not matter to Nard. So helpful and comfort to a singer. Blessed to have known and loved Nard. RIP Maestro!!

Grew up heavy on Bernard Wright as little baby and boy (thanks to my momma) I love what he did on his fresh hymns and fresh hymns 2 and Freedom of Soul song “Skin Deep”. Rest in Glory good friend.

I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to meet and learn from Bernard. R.I.H.

Very nice tribute to an amazing composition and these amazing legendary artists who blessed us with the musical gifts and expressions. Your break down of music is also legendary. Please keep up the great work.

The complexity in the art, the love of the genre! AI will NEVER replace human talent! It’s just NOT the same!

I swear I learn something different with each one of your videos. Excellent content.

Excellent and informative short documentary. Thank you.

I Love Funkin' for Jamaica Never Gets Old.

In October of 1980 I was a young 20 year old in the Air Force stationed at Lajes Field Air base in the Azores, Portugal. Basically, one of a group of 9 islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a thousand miles off the coast of Portugal. A friend turned me on to Tom Browne and I was hearing Funkin' for Jamaica everywhere. That tune brings back a lot of good memories. Didn't know at the time but Marcus was playing on a lot of stuff I was listening to at the time from Lonnie Liston to Luther Vandross to Grover Washington. Gotta checkout Marcus's line and fills on the cut "Throwdown" on Tom Browne's Brown Sugar album that came out before his "Love Approach" album with Funkin' for Jamaica on it. I caught Bobby Broom live playing with Japanese sax player Sadao Wantanabe in Japan in Amori City. Have music will travel.... RIP Nard

This song.... is genius. An all time funk classic.

Man, that thing hit the spot! Wasn't a fete without thatJamaica Funk! It was irresistable. Everybody on the floor feeling it. Much love from the Caribbean. I'm still loving it. Every part of it. Every second of it.

Definitely one of my all time favorite cuts!

*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !* The music video for Bernard Wright's (RIP) "Who Do You Love", I can NOT describe it but there's something hypnotizing about the hook when they're rolling in that barrel. I love watching that video because of how they're actions synchronize with the music. Brilliant. 🤜🏾💥🤛🏾

To this day, I believe "Funkin For Jamaica" is one of the top 3 bass lines of ALL TIME Since the beginning of the funk era. It's so amazing, that the Clark Sisters give hints of it in the intro to their 2007 "Livin'". And am I the only person who was surprised that it was Toni Smith and NOT Chaka Khan singing the lead?! Thanks for the break down of this classic head bouncing memory, "pdbass". It's PERFECTION! Thanks Tom Browne, Marcus, Bobby, Bernard and Toni!

RIP Bernard Wright . As a kid in high school student in the late 70's early 80's i loved loved loved funk & funky bass tunes. I'm glad to know the origin & history.