Forgive me if this is common knowledge, but I only just realized that the group Whistle, best known for their 1985 hit ‘(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin,’ released four albums on the Select label. Jazzy Jazz, Kool Doobie and DJ Silver Spinner were the original line-up, with Kraze and Terk joining in ’90 after Jazzy Jazz Doobie broke north. At this point they abandoned rapping altogether and got on some Boyz II Men type shit for their third album Always and Forever. By the time 1992 rolled around, the crew was riding the Bel Biv Devoe wave and broke out the mustard hooded t-shirts to join the New Jack Swing movement bfore they rode off into the sunset.
While Whistle were doing R&B style love songs as far back as their first Howie Tee and Kangol produced debut album, it’s always amusing to watch groups adapt to the times. Although I guess it’s no worse than how Heavy D & The Boyz or Prince Markie Dee flipped their sound. Whistle should also be remembered as having recorded one of the worst Christmas rap songs ever.
Lol. I hated when the changed to singing. I never took them serious. Although I do remember getting the album that had the always and forever remake. But I never got anything after that. Didnt even know they did a new jack swing joint. Lol
GTFO with that worst Christmas song shit Robbie – Santa Is a B-Boy gets rocked in this household every December! Actually, seriously the scratching is pretty dope on that record for the time…
@Al: It’s no ‘Christmas In Hollis’ or ‘Merry Motherfucking Xmas’ though.
yeah but worst Robbie? Mariah Carey says hello…
@Al: Fair point, may be worthy of further investigation.
Sounds like they might be rap’s Spinal Tap in their adaptability/shameless bandwagon jumping, wonder if they were ever second billing to a puppet show though?
The transformation is funny, didn’t the Force MD’s change to the Force MC’s once rap music really blew up??
I think there roots were always here…..check out “Barbara’s Bedroom”
^^Wasn’t it the other way round @D.G.
Other offenders being 3D/ Three Times Dope. Pulled some other shit on that sophomore, then came back full swing hard rock on the third album?.
Rap crews and poorly thought out style changes to suit the day seems quite typical in Hip Hop. Saving grace I wouldn’t rag on 3D too much ‘Original Styling’ is still one of the best albums of the late 80’s.
Oops guilty pleasure! Didn’t know there was avideo. I still scratch the fuck out of the whistle used.
Whistle, Boogie Boys, Whodini, Force MD’s/MC’s, UTFO, Nice n Smooth Wrecks n Effect ect. were all dope and adjusting to the growing brand of Hip-Hop. `
“Jazzy Jazz, Kool Doobie and DJ Silver Spinner were the original line-up, with Kraze and Terk joining in ’88 after Jazzy Jazz broke north.”
Nah, Kool Doobie broke North. Terk joined in 1990 and Jazz stuck it out for all four albums. That’s him in the baseball cap in the last video.
It’s funny to see people’s opinions as if they knew what went on as if they were there. To call us Spinal Tap is a bit much but I get it. The net allows anyone with a connection to become music experts. It’s nice to see that haters come in all shapes, colors and sizes. BTW we never rode a “BBD” wave. We were out and doing that style of R&B prior. Also I hate Santa is a B Boy too. Yours truly Jazzy Jazz.
I’m glad you commented Jazzy. It’s too much of people who have never been where others have saying a whole lot of mess. What ever your accomplishments be proud of what you’ve done.
What matters is that you made your mark.
Man Jazz! I remember when the movement first started. I even tried to recruit you for kaotic stylin’…Good times!!! Anyway, you guys did what the industry wanted when it wanted it. Still big kudos. No doubt.
Right next to me is one of the greatest r and b songs ever. And great remake of always and forever. We could use
Whistle now with all the garbage music we hear. A very under appreciated band that made some great music
Respect and love my G always.
Their remake of always and forever is one of great cover out there. And Right next to me is a sure classic. Timeless. These guys made some great music back then.
I’m late but ain’t none of ya got the talent or versatility to be such legends. Much love to the ever talented Whistle and their genius production teams! Been listening to Whistle all week. One of those weeks you go back and appreciate and discover other music from the artist you never took the time to listen to nor knew even existed.
Still my girl is a classic. Santa is a B-Boy wasn’t bad either. Whistle was definitely under appreciated. My hats off to you guys for doing your thing and showing how versatile you were. It just unfortunate the industry didn’t know how to handle such versatility.
Thank You Jazzy Jazz. You Are One Of My Favorite Voices.
Here’s My Greatest Hits For Whistle.
1. Falling In Love
2. Is This Love?
3. Mirror Of Love
4. Always And Forever
5. Whatever Happened 2 Us 2
6. Still My Girl (1990)
7. Right Next To Me
8. Barbara’s Bedroom
9. Get The Love
45 Minutes Of Pure R&B Magic. Thank You Whistle, Kangol & Howie Tee For Creating This!
We’re only buggin is one of my fav songs ever. I was in junior high when it came out. I just now found out that they’re the same group that sang the Always and Forever remake. Like, RIGHT NOW reading this thread! Now I gotta listen to all their albums. Oh, new day!
Proper Track Listing:
1. Falling In Love (1988)
2. Is This Love? (1988)
3. Mirror Of Love (1988)
4. Always And Forever (1990)
5. Whatever Happened 2 Us 2 (1990)
6. Still My Girl (1990)
7. Barbara’s Bedroom (1986)
8. Get The Love (1992)
9. Right Next To Me (1988)
Transformation 2024
I’m real late to this party, but I’d like to say thank you to all those that gave us the love, respect and recognized the complexities of music back then and what it took to compete in that moment in time. To all those that recognized the talent of my Brooklyn born, brothers from other mothers, Jazzy Jazz, Kool Doobie, Silver Spinner & Terk and realize what an undertaking and accomplishment it was to make the leap from Hip Hop to R&B. Keep in mind, although I listened to and absolutely loved Dr Rock and the Force MC’s, they signed as the Force MD’s. Whistle is the 1st rap group in history to sign as a rap group and then SUCCESSFULLY make the transition to R & B. No brag, no shade, just fact. To our haters, trust and believe we love you as much if not more than our supporters because of your brutal honesty, you pull no punches. Good bad or indifferent, we appreciate you cause you bought, danced or listened to our bad music. If nuthin else, I bet you know all the words to Nuthin Serious, Just Buggin.😏. Having said that…. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE LOVE and If you hated us then, well then your really gonna hate the 2nd coming of WHISTLE. The brotherhood continues …
That Get the Love album was FIRE!! Glad Spotify finally added it to streaming cuz I still have the cd but no cd player! The label should have pushed that album more cuz it was slept on! Anyone hating on their r&b arch are just miserable in real life! Seriously yall should be on these best of the… tours! Be easy! ✌🏽
Jazz if you see this did you date a girl named Mia from Brooklyn Tech High School in Fort Green Brooklyn, she used to wear that gold J initial gold chain and I think she said she dated you
Welp, I’m really late to the party, and see my brothers represented well. Thank you Neil Marshall. Mirror of love was one of my favorites too. Wow!!! -Terk
I went to high school in the mid-80’s and appreciated a variety of music types. Thank you to Whistle for the treasure trove of music you gave us. I still have all four cassettes by you (fact) and continue to listen to your music. You had the talent to skillfully rap, but in my opinion you shined brightest with those R&B jams. Regardless of which style one prefers of yours, I think we can all just say much respect!