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).
Throw Down
Tom Browne Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Throw Down' by these artists:
Carmen One, two One, two, three Neon lights are everywhere Party s…
Mates of State Cut out of the same rope Moving in directions You are the…
Motion City Soundtrack To be lost in a state of confusion no sense of…
Motion City Soundtrack / Schatzi To be lost in a state of confusion no sense of…
O. B. Buchana Throw down your arms and come, Throw down your arms and…
Styles P Ain't nothin' promised but death But accepting it's kinda dr…
Tenacious D Moses came down from the hill Holding the rules in his…
The Movement How could I ever bear witness to a man Who comes…
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…
That's What Friends Are For And I never thought I'd feel this way And as far…
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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Malachi Harmon
Heard this on GTA 5 and looked it up because damn that man can play!
jibsmokestack1
@N T Marcus Miller
N T
Broo that bass killed me
DeJuana Cobb
I heard it on GTA too. My fav song by him is thighs high.
Kyrin Viralaine
Dude same! XD
Handles Tech
LOL I HEARD IT ON GTA 5 TOO
locksh
Sounds like the love baby of Allan Holdsworth and Miles Davis. Love it.
locksh
@jibsmokestack1 Interesting, I must say I probably wouldn't say this now (this comment was made 4 years a go), but I can see what made me think that: this one screams 80's fusion, aesthetically I would say it's very similar to 80's Holdsworth (check out the video for Proto Cosmos for example, I can definitely see a link between the two). Miles Davis? I don't know exactly why he was the one to come to my mind. Perhaps I associated his experimental electronic jazz with this one. One thing I will say for sure: this is the epitome and the final conclusion of fusion, it is one of my favorite songs, there is something very atmospheric that captures the spirit of the time it was recorded. I envision the big city, and the big city lights at night, a vision that seems to accompany many of the great fusion works of that time.
jibsmokestack1
I don’t hear any Holdworth and very little Miles! Care to elaborate?
Mark Mattison
Loved that song back in the day.. 18 years old and full of promise!