320 re-up!
Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954 in Queens, New York, United States) rose to prominence first through his early work with Sonny Fortune, and scored two major hits in 1980 and 1981: the No. 1 US Billboard R&B single "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" and the No. 4 US R&B single, "Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)". Later in 1982 he released a minor hit called, "Fungi Mama (bebopafunkadiscolypso)" which was also recorded on the Arista record label and reached number 58 in the UK chart.
Funkin' For Jamaica is a legendary track from that really needs no introduction, so I'll dispense with the usual description on this one. You know it, and, if you have a pair of ears that work properly, you probably love it. It was a top ten hit in the UK, and spent four weeks at numero uno on the US R&B chart.
Now Funkin' For Jamaica did not need a remix as it still sounds fantastic to this day, but eleven years after it first came out in 1991 that's exactly what it got. Thankfully, the remix was quality. None other than Drizabone on the lick, and, oh my god, I think I do actually prefer it. It's not a heavy handed hatchet job, it's a sophisticated update that keeps close to the original vibe.
There's a 7", a 12" (Clearly the best one) and a slightly more stripped down Jam Dub Mix. However, if you should find it heresy like I perhaps should so, you can find the original version on this CD, too.
What a wicked release this was, and it is still incredibly hard to beat as a Summer vibe party song.
Despite the colours used for the front cover of this single, I'd always assumed the track was dedicated to Jamaica, Queens in New York, seeing as Tom is American, and this ain't no reggae track! (note it was later pointed out to me by Mick that the original release was titled "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)".
- Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 7" Remix)
- Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 12" Remix)
- Funkin' For Jamaica (Original)
- Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 Jam Dub Mix)
