Tom Browne - Browne Sugar (1979)

Despite the trumpet's prominent historic role in Jazz music, the instrument didn't showcase many of its practitioners in the contemporary jazz genre after the mid-Seventies. Queens, New York native Tom Browne, however, changed that notion. Browne's blistering solos and flair for melodicism and lyricism were on full display on Browne Sugar, his 1979 debut. From the album's opener, "Throw Down," composed by Browne, a bold, up tempo number that highlighted the trumpeter's facility to play smooth, fluid lines, to the closer "Antoinette Like," a contemplative ballad, penned by keyboard wunderkind Bernard Wright, Browne demonstrated that he is a focused, original artist, destined to be on the scene for the long run. The long run began its race for Browne on this record with the aid of Wright; the incomparable pianist/composer/producer Dave Grusin (who co-produced); first-rate-bassists Francisco Centeno and the illustrious Marcus Miller (the latter of whom wrote the alternately mellow and funky "Herbal Scent"); acclaimed saxophonist Michael Brecker, versatile vocalist Patti Austin, and underrated drummer Buddy Williams, just to name a few stellar names on the eight-tunes project. Because of its mix of ballads and mid-tempo funk, "Browne Sugar" was definitely a record that established the trumpet ace's (also a flugelhornist) own musical identity. It placed Browne front and center as a leader and not as a bystander on his own record. Speaking of his own musical identity, Browne's composition, "Promises for Spring," is another tune that possessed that gentle, late-night aura that would be heard on Quiet Storm radio. It's just the kind of record that would become the template for contemporary jazz--radio-friendly, breezy tunes laced with R&B overtones with jazz inflections. The album had great flow without any selections that would prompt listeners to skip to the next track. Even in the present musical soundscape, there are few trumpet-led projects that embrace the distinctive sound of Browne's. It's a classy, stylish debut that sounds just as rich and melodic in 2020 as it did in 1979. Cheers to Tom Browne and to the musicians who have made Browne Sugar a sonic gem! ~ Liz Goodwin, SmoothVibes.com. 

GRP Records, GRP 5003, 1979
GRP Records, GRP-D-9517, 1991
Recorded and Mixed 1979 At A&R Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Tom Browne - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxophone
Phil Bodner - Horn
Eddie Daniels - Horn
Walter Kane - Horn
David Tofani - Horn
Dave Grusin - Piano [Electric], Clavinet, Moog Synthesizer, Oberheim Synthesizers, Organ, Percussion, Synthesizer
Rob Mounsey - Oberheim Synthesizer, Organ, Synthesizer
Bernard Wright - Piano, Piano [Electric]
Ron Miller   - Guitar [Electric]
Marcus Miller - Bass [Electric]
Francisco Centeno - Bass [Electric]
Buddy Williams - Drums
Sue Evans - Congas, Percussion
Errol Crusher Bennett - Congas, Percussion
Patti Austin - Vocals
Vivian Cherry - Vocals
Frank Floyd - Vocals
Zachary Sanders - Vocals
+ Strings Ensemble 

Tracks:
1. Throw Down {Tom Browne} (3:58)
2. I Never Was A Cowboy {Don Grusin} (4:24)
3. Herbal Scent {Tom Browne} (5:25)
4. Brother, Brother {Denzil Miller} (5:32)
5. The Closer I Get To You {Reggie Lucas, James Mtume} (4:38)
6. What's Going On {Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye} (5:09)
7. Promises For Spring {Tom Browne} (4:50)
8. Antoinette Like {Bernard Wright} (3:38) 

Total Time: 37:34 

Credits:
Producer, Conductor, Arranger, Liner Notes - Dave Grusin
Producer, Engineer, Liner Notes - Larry Rosen
GRP Production Coordinator - Peter Lopez
Recording Engineer - Jim Boyer
Recording Assistant - Peter Lewis
Recording & Mixing Assistant - Bradshaw Leigh
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen [Sterling Sound, NYC]
Digital Remastering - Josiah Gluck [The Review Room, NYC]
Editing & Formatting - N.Y. Digital Recording
GRP Creative Director, Art Design - Andy Baltimore
Art Direction - Dan Serrano
Photography - Mario Astorga