Jump to content

Jonzun Crew: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead. #IABot (v1.6.2) (Balon Greyjoy)
Bertpress (talk | contribs)
436 edits
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
(25 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American electro and early funk–hip hop group}}
{{use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jonzun Crew
| name = Jonzun Crew
Line 10: Line 12:
| genre = [[electro (music)|Electro]], [[funk]], [[hip hop music|hip hop]]
| genre = [[electro (music)|Electro]], [[funk]], [[hip hop music|hip hop]]
| years_active = 1981–1990
| years_active = 1981–1990
| label = [[Tommy Boy Records|Tommy Boy]]/[[Warner Bros. Records]]<br>[[A&M Records]]<br>[[Critique Records]]
| label = [[Tommy Boy Records|Tommy Boy]]/[[Warner Bros. Records]]<br>[[A&M Records]]<br>Critique Records
| associated_acts = [[Planet Patrol]]<br>[[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]<br>[[Afrika Bambaataa]]<br>[[New Edition]]<br>[[New Kids on the Block]]
| associated_acts = [[Planet Patrol]]<br>[[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]<br>[[Afrika Bambaataa]]<br>[[New Edition]]<br>[[New Kids on the Block]]<br>[[J. Geils Band]]
| website =
| website =
| current_members = [[Maurice Starr]]<br />Soni Jonzun
| current_members =
| past_members = [[Michael Jonzun]]<br />Gordon Worthy<br />Steve Thorpe
| past_members = [[Maurice Starr]]<br />Soni Jonzun <br />[[Michael Jonzun]]<br />Gordon Worthy<br />Steve Thorpe
}}
}}


'''Jonzun Crew''' was an [[electro (music)|electro]] and early [[funk]]–[[hip hop]] group that was active in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smack-dynamik.com/articles/jonzun_crew_space_is_the_place_lost_in_space_pack_jam.htm |title=Jonzun Crew, Space is the Place, Lost In Space, Pack Jam |publisher=Smack-dynamik.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218133517/http://www.smack-dynamik.com/articles/jonzun_crew_space_is_the_place_lost_in_space_pack_jam.htm |archivedate=2012-02-18 |df= }}</ref> The group was led by [[Michael Jonzun]], his brothers [[Maurice Starr]] and Soni Jonzun, and Carl (Captain Fingers).
'''Jonzun Crew''' was an American [[electro (music)|electro]] and early [[funk]]–[[hip hop]] group that was active in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smack-dynamik.com/articles/jonzun_crew_space_is_the_place_lost_in_space_pack_jam.htm|title=Jonzun Crew, Space is the Place, Lost In Space, Pack Jam|publisher=Smack-dynamik.com|accessdate=2012-03-28|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218133517/http://www.smack-dynamik.com/articles/jonzun_crew_space_is_the_place_lost_in_space_pack_jam.htm|archivedate=2012-02-18}}</ref> The group was led by [[Michael Jonzun]], his brothers [[Maurice Starr]] and Soni Jonzun, and Carl (Captain Fingers).


==Overview==
==Overview==
The Jonzun Crew was formed by Florida-born brothers Michael, Soni, and Larry Johnson (also known as Maurice Starr) in Boston in 1981, with Gordy Worthy and Steve Thorpe filling out the lineup. The group carried its spin on [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]]-[[Funkadelic]]'s loopy sci-fi themes of [[Afrofuturism|Afro-futurism]] throughout the 1980s and early 1990s for several albums.<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|last1=Kellman|first1=Andy |title=Artist Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jonzun-crew-mn0000257771/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=29 September 2020}}</ref>
The group's most famous tracks, “Pack Jam (Look out for the OVC),” “Space is the Place,” and “Space Cowboy” were featured on the group's debut album, ''Lost in Space'' (1983). Other notable tracks included “We Are the Jonzun Crew” and “Ground Control.” The group's sound was particularly unique because all of the synthesizer parts were played live as opposed to sequenced, and despite using drum-machine hits in its tracks, most of the group's songs used a live drummer as the main drum track, giving its songs a unique groove and swing compared to most electro music of the era.<ref>{{cite web|author=RETALI8 |url=http://www.coldcrush.com.au/electro_sydney/electro_funk/80s-electro-funk/jonzun-crew-we-are-the-jonzun-crew-pack-jam-michael-jonzun/ |title=Jonzun Crew – We Are The Jonzun Crew + Pack Jam &#124; 80s Electro Funk |publisher=Cold Crush |date= |accessdate=2012-03-28}}</ref>


The group's most famous tracks, “Pack Jam (Look out for the OVC),” “Space is the Place,” and “Space Cowboy” were featured on the group's debut album, ''[[Lost in Space]]'' (1983). Other notable tracks included “We Are the Jonzun Crew” and “Ground Control.” The group's sound was particularly unique because all of the synthesizer parts were played live as opposed to sequenced, and despite using drum-machine hits in its tracks, most of the group's songs used a live drummer as the main drum track, giving its songs a unique groove and swing compared with most electro music of the era.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coldcrush.com.au/electro_sydney/electro_funk/80s-electro-funk/jonzun-crew-we-are-the-jonzun-crew-pack-jam-michael-jonzun/|title=Jonzun Crew – We Are The Jonzun Crew + Pack Jam &#124; 80s Electro Funk|publisher=Cold Crush|accessdate=2012-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310032544/http://www.coldcrush.com.au/electro_sydney/electro_funk/80s-electro-funk/jonzun-crew-we-are-the-jonzun-crew-pack-jam-michael-jonzun/|archive-date=2011-03-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Jonzun Crew was an electro group that carried its spin on [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]]-[[Funkadelic]]'s loopy sci-fi themes of [[Afrofuturism|Afro-futurism]] throughout the 1980s and early 1990s for a handful of albums, which included singles such as “Pack Jam (Look Out for the OVC),” “Space is the Place,” “Space Cowboy,” and “We are the Jonzun Crew.” Florida-born brothers Michael, Soni, and Larry Johnson (better known as Maurice Starr) formed the Jonzun Crew in Boston in 1981, with Gordy Worthy and Steve Thorpe filling out the lineup for different stretches of the group's existence. Starr and Michael would gain further notoriety for helping to bring New Edition and New Kids on the Block to the world; Michael (who continued using Jonzun as his last name) also went solo for a brief period on A&M, in addition to working on several other artists' releases.


In 1986, Michael Jonzun left the group.
In 1986, Michael Jonzun left the group. “Pack Jam (Look out for the [[Sun Ra|OVC]])” was often played in the background while the rundown of top hits in Germany were counted on the German-language Top Hits show ''Formel Eins'' during the 1980s.


==Discography==
==Cultural impact==
“Pack Jam (Look out for the [[Sun Ra|OVC]])” was often played in the background while the rundown of top hits in Germany were counted on the German-language Top Hits show ''{{ill|Formel Eins|de|3=Formel Eins (Fernsehserie)|lt=Formel Eins}}'' during the 1980s.


By 1987, the [[Berlin Wall]] featured a block long graffiti mural immortalizing Jonzun Crew.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=David Tompkins|title=Secret Vocodering|magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=April 1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sigEAAAAMBAJ}}</ref>

In 1998, [[Tommy Boy Records]] issued a remix of "Pack Jam" by [[Grooverider]] as part of its Greatest Beats Remix series.

==Discography==
===Albums===
===Albums===
{| class="wikitable"
* ''Lost in Space'' (1983)
|-
* ''Down to Earth'' (1984)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
* ''Cosmic Love'' (1990)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
|-
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small><br><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|title=The Jonzun Crew - Awards |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jonzun-crew-mn0000257771/awards|website=AllMusic|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024031551/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jonzun-crew-mn0000257771/awards|archive-date=October 24, 2013}}</ref>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Lost in Space (Jonzun Crew album)|Lost in Space]]''
| align=center | 66
| align=center | 17
|-
| 1984
| ''Down to Earth''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 1990
| ''Cosmic Love''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
|}


===Singles===
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
* ''Pack Jam'' (1982) - DE#19
|-
* ''Space Cowboy'' (1983) - UK#88[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7100/jonzun-crew/?Day=&Month=&Year=1956]
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
* ''Space Is the Place'' (1983)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Single
* ''We Are the Jonzun Crew'' (1983)
! scope="col" colspan="5"|Peak chart positions
|-
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[Hot Dance Club Songs|US Dance]]</small><br><ref name="VF">{{cite web|title=The Jonzun Crew Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography |url=https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=The+Jonzun+Crew|website=Music VF|accessdate=29 September 2020}}</ref>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]</small><br><ref name="VF"/>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Pop]]</small><br><ref name="VF"/>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7100/jonzun-crew/|title=JONZUN CREW &#124; full Official Chart History|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]</small>
|-
|rowspan="1"| 1982
| "Pack Jam"
| align=center | 36
| align=center | 13
| align=center | 108
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 19
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1983
| "Space Cowboy"
| align=center | —
| align=center | 12
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 88
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Space Is the Place"
| align=center | 63
| align=center | 31
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | —
|-
| "We Are the Jonzun Crew"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 37
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
|rowspan="1"| 1984
| "Time Is Running Out"
| align=center | —
| align=center | 66
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | —
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1985
| "Lovin'"
| align=center | —
| align=center | 40
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | —
|-
| "Tonight's the Night"
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | —
|-
|rowspan="1"| 1991
| "Cosmic Love"
| align=center | —
| align=center | 62
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | —
|-
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/32454-The-Jonzun-Crew Discography] at [[Discogs]].


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Electronic music groups from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Electronic music groups from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American electro musicians]]
[[Category:American electro musicians]]

Revision as of 15:21, 30 August 2024

Jonzun Crew
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, United States
GenresElectro, funk, hip hop
Years active1981–1990
LabelsTommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records
A&M Records
Critique Records
Past membersMaurice Starr
Soni Jonzun
Michael Jonzun
Gordon Worthy
Steve Thorpe

Jonzun Crew was an American electro and early funk–hip hop group that was active in the 1980s.[1] The group was led by Michael Jonzun, his brothers Maurice Starr and Soni Jonzun, and Carl (Captain Fingers).

Overview

The Jonzun Crew was formed by Florida-born brothers Michael, Soni, and Larry Johnson (also known as Maurice Starr) in Boston in 1981, with Gordy Worthy and Steve Thorpe filling out the lineup. The group carried its spin on Parliament-Funkadelic's loopy sci-fi themes of Afro-futurism throughout the 1980s and early 1990s for several albums.[2]

The group's most famous tracks, “Pack Jam (Look out for the OVC),” “Space is the Place,” and “Space Cowboy” were featured on the group's debut album, Lost in Space (1983). Other notable tracks included “We Are the Jonzun Crew” and “Ground Control.” The group's sound was particularly unique because all of the synthesizer parts were played live as opposed to sequenced, and despite using drum-machine hits in its tracks, most of the group's songs used a live drummer as the main drum track, giving its songs a unique groove and swing compared with most electro music of the era.[3]

In 1986, Michael Jonzun left the group.

Cultural impact

“Pack Jam (Look out for the OVC)” was often played in the background while the rundown of top hits in Germany were counted on the German-language Top Hits show Formel Eins [de] during the 1980s.

By 1987, the Berlin Wall featured a block long graffiti mural immortalizing Jonzun Crew.[4]

In 1998, Tommy Boy Records issued a remix of "Pack Jam" by Grooverider as part of its Greatest Beats Remix series.

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
US
[5] 		US R&B
[5]
1983 Lost in Space 66 17
1984 Down to Earth — —
1990 Cosmic Love — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
US Dance
[6] 		US R&B
[6] 		US Pop
[6] 		UK
[7] 		GER
1982 "Pack Jam" 36 13 108 ― 19
1983 "Space Cowboy" — 12 ― 88 ―
"Space Is the Place" 63 31 ― ― —
"We Are the Jonzun Crew" ― 37 ― ― ―
1984 "Time Is Running Out" — 66 ― ― —
1985 "Lovin'" — 40 ― ― —
"Tonight's the Night" — — ― ― —
1991 "Cosmic Love" — 62 ― ― —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ "Jonzun Crew, Space is the Place, Lost In Space, Pack Jam". Smack-dynamik.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  2. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "Jonzun Crew – We Are The Jonzun Crew + Pack Jam | 80s Electro Funk". Cold Crush. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  4. ^ David Tompkins (April 1999). "Secret Vocodering". Vibe.
  5. ^ a b "The Jonzun Crew - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "The Jonzun Crew Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "JONZUN CREW | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jonzun_Crew&oldid=1243110119"