Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954, Queens, New York), commonly referred to … Read Full Bio ↴Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954, Queens, New York), commonly referred to as "Mr. Jamaica Funk", is a jazz trumpeter who rose to prominence first through his early work with Sonny Fortune and for his #1 charting 1980 single "Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y)" and notable dance tracks like "Thighs High".
Browne originally played piano, having taken lessons from the age of 11. Turning to the trumpet, inspired by his collection of jazz albums, his first gig was in a Queens club, The Village Door. In 1975, he landed his first professional gig with Weldon Irvine.
From here he played with Sonny Fortune and Lonnie Smith and was later introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen at GRP Records via Earl Klugh. Grusin and Rosen signed him to GRP (via Arista Records) and Browne broke onto the music scene in 1979 with a highly acclaimed instrumental jazz fusion album "Browne Sugar", although this was not released in the UK. His first real breakthrough came in 1980 with the release of "Funkin' For Jamaica", taken from his second album "Love Approach. The single hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles for 4 weeks, and was also a UK Top 10 hit, and featured the lead vocals of Tonni Smith.
Continuing his association with producers Grusin and Rosen, his next albums were Yours Truly (1981), including "Fungi Mama" and "Bye Gones", and "Magic" (1982), before he signed directly to Arista. Here he progressed into an electro style of jazz with "Rockin' Radio" from a 1983 album of the same name (which also included a final GRP production "Brighter Tomorrow"). In 1984 he recorded a final Arista album Tommy Gun, which featured Siedah Garrett singing lead on the leading moment "Secret Fantasy" produced by Maurice Starr. Also in 1984 he recorded with Fuse One on their Ice album.
He also recorded with Roy Ayers on "Goree Island", taken from his In The Dark album. Browne moved to Malaco Records and performed a large amount of session work. In 2000, Browne re-recorded "Funkin' For Jamaica" on Jazz FM's 101 Eastbound compilation album alongside fellow jazz artist, Bob Baldwin. The track re-utilised the vocal skills of Tonni Smith (featured on the original).
Browne originally played piano, having taken lessons from the age of 11. Turning to the trumpet, inspired by his collection of jazz albums, his first gig was in a Queens club, The Village Door. In 1975, he landed his first professional gig with Weldon Irvine.
From here he played with Sonny Fortune and Lonnie Smith and was later introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen at GRP Records via Earl Klugh. Grusin and Rosen signed him to GRP (via Arista Records) and Browne broke onto the music scene in 1979 with a highly acclaimed instrumental jazz fusion album "Browne Sugar", although this was not released in the UK. His first real breakthrough came in 1980 with the release of "Funkin' For Jamaica", taken from his second album "Love Approach. The single hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles for 4 weeks, and was also a UK Top 10 hit, and featured the lead vocals of Tonni Smith.
Continuing his association with producers Grusin and Rosen, his next albums were Yours Truly (1981), including "Fungi Mama" and "Bye Gones", and "Magic" (1982), before he signed directly to Arista. Here he progressed into an electro style of jazz with "Rockin' Radio" from a 1983 album of the same name (which also included a final GRP production "Brighter Tomorrow"). In 1984 he recorded a final Arista album Tommy Gun, which featured Siedah Garrett singing lead on the leading moment "Secret Fantasy" produced by Maurice Starr. Also in 1984 he recorded with Fuse One on their Ice album.
He also recorded with Roy Ayers on "Goree Island", taken from his In The Dark album. Browne moved to Malaco Records and performed a large amount of session work. In 2000, Browne re-recorded "Funkin' For Jamaica" on Jazz FM's 101 Eastbound compilation album alongside fellow jazz artist, Bob Baldwin. The track re-utilised the vocal skills of Tonni Smith (featured on the original).
Fungi Mama
Tom Browne Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Tom Browne:
Brother Brother brother if you can let me take you by the hand we…
FINKIN' FOR JAMAICA Jamaica funk, that's what it is let it get into…
Funkin Jamaica funk, that's what it is let it get into…
Funkin for Jamaica Jamaica funk, that's what it is let it get into…
Funkin for Jamaica Jamaica funk, that's what it is Let it get into…
Funkin' for Jamaica Jamaica funk, that's what it is Let it get into…
Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.) Jamaica funk, that's what it is let it get into you C'mon…
In a Sentimental Mood In A Sentimental Mood I can see the stars come…
That's What Friends Are For And I never thought I'd feel this way And as far…
Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move) I don't need Dom Perignon, I don't need Cris Tanqueray and…
Too Hot There can be no mercy in the heart of wolves There…
What's Going On Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, broth…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@deborahpiggott5518
Used to skate to this song back in the day
@ptownfreddy
I’m 60 years old. In one of my vain attempts to stay “with it” on a long day of housework, I’ve just tried to listen to two of the most critically-acclaimed albums of the past decade that give props to the 70’s-early-80’s sound. As a fellow artist I will not name them, but I found them unlistenable. So, I came here after digging up Billboard Disco Top 80 chart from January, 1982, and am working my way through all the cuts.
That chicken! This record is witty, silly, rump-shaking and thoroughly enjoyable. Why can’t today’s music groove this way? Are young people that depressed? I know — people who grew up on earlier eras of music probably dismissed my type of music just as I’m dragging today’s. It’s part of getting older. Still…
@derekagbuke3350
Groove...bass, horns, chorus all 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@NELLIZISFOCUSED
wow..Thanks for uploading. My mom sang back up on this song!
@sundralsbabbro
Chanel Terrell wow i love their voices. always pictured deliciously curvy women of many shades of black doing they thang
@mylesjohnson1299
Is that when she met you Daddy?🤔
@dayleking2701
I used to roller skate to this song in Barbados in the 80's. Still doing it to this day. Love it
@saxman3336
Dayle King do you still skate in Barbados? I’m a rollerskater in Uk, moving to st.lucia soon
@hodell82
Forget about Jamaica Funk........THIS was the best jam Tom Browne made, baby!
@BLACKPHOENIXRIZIN
Just want chu 2 know dat u b da ish yo raight, I am just so damn happy that someone like u exitz in the world who knowz & can apperciate truly great music & sharez it with brothaz & sistaz of the same. U just keep on doin dat damn funky azz ting dat chu do & we will keep on diggin u yamean!...(LOL)...nuff said peace 2 da brotha. (BLKVIPER FRM DA ILLADELPH).