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.
Podcasts:
Jamo Thomas
ALBUMS
- Stompers, Floaters & Floorshakers released: 2011
- Northern Soul: Essential Floorfillers released: 2006
- Superfly Soul: Dynamite Funk and Bad-Assed Street Grooves released: 2003
- The Twisted Wheel Story - One More Time released: 1997
- Out on the Floor Again released:
Stompers, Floaters & Floorshakers
Released 2011- I Spy (For the FBI)
- Alvin's Boogaloo
- The Duck
- That's My Girl
- Just Another Heartache
- Getting Mighty Crowded
- I'd Think It Over Twice (If I Were You)
- You Hit Me Like TNT
- Girls Are Out to Get You
- Nothing Can Stop Me
- Do the 45
- I Keep Tryin'
- The Power of Love
- Being Without You
- One Man's Poison
- I Hurt on the Other Side
- Wait Til I Get to Know You
- Your Wish Is My Command
- Don't Turn Your Back on Me
- Sad Feeling
- I'm a Fool I Must Love You
- The Other Place
- You Better Think Again
- Nothing Worse Than Being Alone
- You're the Dream
Northern Soul: Essential Floorfillers
Released 2006- 6 By 6
- Just A Little Misunderstanding
- Helpless
- Ain't Nothing But A House Party
- Billy's Bag
- Twine Time
- Oo Wee Baby I Love You
- Trouble Over The Weekend
- Every Beat of my Heart
- Girls Are Out To Get You
- Nothing Can Stop Me
- I Spy For The FBI
- Oh How Happy
- You Got To Pay The Price
- Barefootin' Time in Chinatown
Superfly Soul: Dynamite Funk and Bad-Assed Street Grooves
Released 2003- Across 110th Street
- It's a Funk Thing
- Cussin', Cryin' and Carryin' On
- Dig on It
- Pusherman
- Sport
- You're Losing Me
- The Bottle
- Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
- If It's Good to You (It's Good for You), Part 1
- The Joneses, Part 1
- Chitlin' Strut
- Funky Soul, Part 1
- The Way They Do My Life
- Flyjack
- Behind Closed Doors
- Superpeople
- Bad Bad Simba
The Twisted Wheel Story - One More Time
Released 1997- Talk of the Grapevine
- More More More of Your Love
- The Kid (instrumental)
- Soul Serenade (instrumental)
- Everybody Dance Now
- I Can't See the Love
- Just Like a Yo-Yo
- Soul Sauce
- Oh How Happy
- If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)
- Freedom Train
- Get on Up
- I Spy (For the FBI)
- Restless
- Nitty Gritty
- I Can't Please You
- Now I Know What Love Is
- Going to a Happening
- Let Love Come Between Us
- The Cheater
- In a Moment
- Scratchy
- Hole in the Wall
- Magic Potion
- Make Me Yours
Out on the Floor Again
- Love Love Love
- Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie
- You're Ready Now
- I Feel So Bad
- Sweet Hapiness
- Moody Woman
- A Little Bit Hurt
- Love Is a Serious Business
- It's Better to Have (and Don't Need)
- Waterfall
- Green Door
- Boogaloo Party
- More, More, More of Your Love
- Potion of Love
- At the Top of the Stairs
- You're the One
- Breakaway
- Picture Me Gone
- Love is the Only Answer
- Trick Me, Treat Me
- Rat Race
- You Want to Change Me
- Keep Saying (You Don't Love Nobody)
- Never for Me
- Name It You Got It
- Keeps on Burning
- I Spy for the FBI
- I'm Gonna Change
-
by Arsenal
-
by M People
-
by Deacon Blue
-
by Darker My Love
-
by Smokie
Northern Soul
by: ArsenalNorthern soul,
You won't forget
The long Ford Road
You beat your chest
You can drag me down
And spread me out
But when I rise
The truth comes out
A secret wish
The answer comes
To those who wait
And never love.
Well I spent my time following you
And what I had to show for it
Nothing but pain.
Refrein: I wasn't made for these times
I should have stand by your side
I wasn't made for these times
Don't you know, don't you know