When trumpeter
Tom Browne hit the Billboard charts in 1980, one would have thought that he was an overnight sensation. However, the licensed pilot had several years under his belt working with
Weldon Irvine,
Sonny Fortune, and others. His debut smash single, "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)," took the music industry by storm. Between
Browne's piercing horn intro and his chilling riffs in the vamp, the New York native and his cohorts lay down one jammin' groove. From the thunderous bass of
Marcus Miller and
Browne's trumpeting trips to the salacious vocals of
Toni Smith and the colorful conversation referencing
Browne, this single was slick and exhilarating.
Smith co-wrote the song with
Browne, which claimed the number one spot for four straight weeks. In addition to
Toni Smith's outstanding vocals,
Browne also employs vocalist Viki Sylva on the serene number "Weak in the Knees."
Browne fills the vocal gaps in the verse and echoes Sylva in the chorus as she exudes a
Michael Franks ambience. "Her Silent Smile," which features guitarist
Bobby Broom and pianist
Bernard Wright, who are also featured on "Funkin' for Jamaica," is reminiscent of
Chuck Mangione. Aside from "Funkin' for Jamaica," the other selections are of the jazz vein.
Browne does not try to redefine jazz or the trumpet; he just lays down some good music. ~ Craig Lytle