Former Cameo lead Tomi Jenkins creates a "Special" song with Jessie Johnson

(August 29, 2023) A compilation of funk music from the late 1970s and 80s would not be complete without the inclusion of jams by Cameo and The Time. That means listeners will be hearing from Tomi Jenkins and Jesse Johnson, who were key contributors to Cameo and The Time, respectively, along with making their marks as solo artists.

Now, the two have teamed up on “Special,” Jenkins’s sleek and funky jam about a man who has narrowed his focus to doing what must be done to woo and keep that one special lady. Jenkins noted that he knew the story that he wanted to tell when he heard mid-tempo arrangement.

“I knew I wanted to construct a funky love song about a woman who’d seen just about everything from a relationship point of view. Been there done that, so to speak,” Jenkins said. “And from my perspective, I thought the chances of me ever finding that special one were pretty much over. But as it turned out, a brother has to go the extra mile if he really feels that woman is worth it.”

Jenkins knew that he wanted Johnson, his longtime friend, to play the guitar on “Special.” That choice was logical, as there a few guitarists who have Johnson’s funk and rock chops. However, Johnson throws us a curve on “Special” by showcasing his jazz chops on his solo, while also adding bluey riffs throughout the track. His playing is nuanced, deft and totally in line with Jenkins’s vocal delivery. Check out Jenkins and Johnson’s collaboration on “Special” here.

By Howard Dukes

Tomi Jenkins - "Special 1"