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).
Herbal Scent
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…
Hangin' On A String I've waited oh so long for you to come to…
In a Sentimental Mood In A Sentimental Mood I can see the stars come…
Thighs High I don't need Dom Perignon, I don't need Cris Tanqueray and…
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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@richardh50
UK here, old school jazz funk classic we were really into this back in the day, shame it’s not on Spotify
@Vwjl1207
My favorite Tom Brown album and song. Every song on this album is so nice.
@henrybrown1268
I remember this like yesterday. Heard it that summer in Waukegan (IL) at a family reunion on Chicago's WGCI.
Love the ending! The last 1:30 takes me to heaven with the violins.
@catboyzee
Always interesting to hear what Marcus Miller and his Fender Jazz Bass sounded like before he had it modified by Roger Sadowsky in 1981. Its still Marcus, but different.
Sidebar note: This track reaffirms that the late 70s-early 80s was my favorite era for music. You could do a lot of stuff with tracks like these: Make love, dine, chill with friends and drinks, dance, go for a drive, cook, clean your crib, study, sleep, be loud, be quiet, etc...#respect
@davecoalwood9487
Very Versitile is the Funk. I buried my first victim to this tune also, to add to Your list. Had to move the body 6 months later as the peelers were on to me. The smell wasn't very herbal, let Me tell You!. Sorry. 😄 Great tune and didn't know it was Mr. Miller till this evening. Happy New Year Mate.
@danielmoore2416
i always love to here this cut, notes from the trumpet, hi notes, deep clear bass lines, thanks marcus, and who is on the 88 fender rhodes, melo as hell, ohh if like this cut ,check out o'bryan soft touch, a close resembelance of this but it got alot of airplay too in the 80s, another favorite .peace.
@standarddisclaimer
I think another big factor here is that someone other than Marcus is producing. There came a point after which you never hear Marcus' playing unless he's producing. As a producer, he adds a lot of mojo to the bass - he's got his formulas for bass sounds. I actually much prefer listening to his bass playing on these older productions! That jazz bass sound was gritty and amazing. It disappeared without a trace when he started producing.
@johnstewart8551
The Jazz Fusion of the 70s early 80s was so nice.
@zebop
Yes, it was a beautiful genre.
@johnniehulittle9678
John Stewart, yes it was....