Jamo Thomas

Jamo Thomas is an American soul and funk singer, best remembered for his 1966 hit single, "I Spy (For the FBI)".

Born in either The Bahamas or Chicago, he recorded for several different record labels between 1965 and 1976. His billing sometimes included his name alongside backing musicians, known as his Party Brothers Orchestra, or simply as Mr. Jamo. His biggest successes were "Bahama Mama" and a cover version of "I Spy (For the FBI)".

Career

After a spell as a percussionist with the Pennsylvania-based Bobby Peterson Quintet in the late 1950s, Thomas relocated to Chicago in the early 1960s. He recorded his debut single, "Stop the Baby", in 1965 for the small Conlo Records label, with the track produced by Jerry Butler. Thomas was working for the singer at the time, as his valet and driver, while also playing percussion in his support band.

His next recording, "I Spy (For the FBI)", produced by Monk Higgins and Burgess Gardner and released on the small Thomas label (owned by Eddie Thomas), peaked at #98 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. It was re-issued on Polydor in the UK in 1969, when it reached #44 in the UK Singles Chart. The track proved to be his only appearance in either chart. The song was written by Herman Kelley and Richard "Popcorn" Wylie, and was originally recorded by Luther Ingram a few months prior to Thomas' version.