Robert Browne is one of Jamaica’s most prolific guitarists. The name Browne is well known in reggae music circles. Robert’s Uncles, Cleveland “Clevie” Browne and Danny Browne are tow of Jamaica’s most successful record producers/musicians. Their brother Noel is a respected musician/songwriter who has arranged for top acts like Freddie McGregor. Dalton Browne is one of the most sought after session guitarists and musical director for Freddie McGregor. Robert’s father Glen Browne is widely respected among his peers as one of the greatest bass player/producer of his generation and has worked with Jimmy Cliff, Mont Alexander, Ziggy Marley and Tarus Riley.
After graduating high school in 1993, Robert naturally joined the family business of playing and producing music. His first major tour was in 1996 when he secured the job as guitarist for legendary reggae singer Dennis Brown. Since that time Robert has gone on to work with some of the top artists in reggae such as Diana King, Lauryn Hill, Ziggy Marley, Buju Banton, Damian and Julian Marley. He is perhaps best known as guitarist for reggae superstar Shaggy, a position he has held since 1998. He has also produced two solo albums and has worked as producer and studio musician with twin brother Richard who is also an accomplished producer/bassist. I was able to catch up with Robert this week just before leaving on a tour of Europe with Shaggy and he kindly answered questions about the music and his brilliant guitar work.
GB: “How did you get interested in the guitar?”
RB: “That’s a hard one. I think its because my twin brother plays bass. My first instrument was drums but it wasn’t always convenient to set up the kit and jam with him. He was given an acoustic guitar to practice on by our dad but instead of him practicing on it, I would play the guitar and jam with him while he still played the bass. We could sit quietly and jam…no banging on drums when mom is trying to sleep.”
GB: “Who were some of your musical influences?”
RB: “My first influences were my dad and uncles (the Browne Bunch – two of my uncles play guitar). I grew up watching & listening to them rehearsing in the living room. I went to the studio and watched them recording, writing and creating music. They are my first and biggest influences.Since then though, I’ve been influenced by a lot of guitarists – Al Anderson, Junior Marvin (the wailers), Jimi Hendrix, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Carlos Santana, Jonathan Butler, Al DIMeola, and Larry Carlton. Those were and still are, my main influences.Outside of the guitar now there is Sly & Robbie, Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews Band, Bob Marley, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis”.
GB: “Are you self-taught or did you go to music school?”
RB: “I’m mostly self-taught. I didn’t have any formal training. I was taught the basics by my father, learned most of everything else on my own…but when I was around 20, I did private lessons with a great teacher – Maurice Gordon… that was for about two months. Had to stop because that was the year I started touring.”
GB: “Describe your guitar rig and some of the guitars that you use.”
RB: “Primarily I play Parker Guitars (fly artist model). I Just love the feel and tones they can produce. I actually got one of the new “Dragon Fly” models custom made with Seymour Duncan pickups instead of the standard DiMarzios. I also play a Fender Telecaster that I use for practice or on recoding sessions when I’m looking for that special “Tele” sound. I also have a Gibson SG3 that I use for certain gigs and recordings. Those are my main guitars now, I have others but I don’t use them as much. My rig for years has been the line 6 Pod XT played through two Roland JC120 amplifiers. I’ve also had the Line 6 Pod XT Live with the same amps. I have also experimented with a stomp box set up which was something like – Ernie Ball Volume pedal, Cry Baby wah, Line 6 DM4 distortion modeler, Boss compressor, Boss digital delay, Boss stereo chorus …routed in that order, and into the two JC 120 amps. I changed about a month ago to the line 6 M9 stomp box modeler running through two Fender Hot Rod Devilles. Getting some nice tones from the DeVilles.”
GB” Any thoughts on technique and practice habits?”
RB: “Technique, well I need to work on that (smiling). When I was doing the lessons with Maurice Gordon, I was practicing for about two hours per day. But since then, with family and work, I hardly have the time. Every now and then I will go over some scale patterns and finger exercises to maintain my chops. I try to take up the guitar everyday and play something, even if it’s only for a few minutes.”
GB: “What are your views concerning the future of the reggae sound?”
RB: That’s a difficult question to answer because in Jamaica now, most of the producers are trying to fuse reggae with American pop to achieve that “crossover” hit sound. Yet in Europe and maybe Japan, they’re playing and reproducing our authentic Jamaican roots reggae sound, and they’re doing a pretty good job. So there are maybe two possibilities – authentic sounding well recorded and produced roots music and a fusion of reggae and pop/world music that’s of a lesser quality.
GB: “What role will the guitar play in creating that sound?”
RB: “Guitars plays a small part in the sound of reggae today. There are hardly any guitar solos or phrases that stand out anymore. For the most part, our role is just holding the rhythm parts or playing along with the bass lines. Although when I record I try to add parts that stand out.”
GB: “ Do you have any recording techniques that you would like to share?”
RB: “For the past two years or so I have been recording through my laptop computer, utlising the software “AmpliTube” by IK Multimedia, using their stealth pedal. I like the different options available such as amplifiers, microphones, stomp boxes, and rack effect models, right at my fingertips. It makes it easy to alter my tone just enough to fit into the song if needed. Wouldn’t go to a studio session without it.”
GB: “What is your latest recording project?”
RB: “My most recent project is an album called “Electrifying Grooves Of DiVersion” It has been available online for a year now. I had it removed recently so that I could restructure my whole approach to marketing and promotion now it is back up. For free downloads, music and updates on what I’m doing visit my Facebook page search ROBERT DUBWISE orwww.myspace.com/robertdubwise. I will be on the road with Shaggy this summer, so if he’s coming to your town with his band I’m the one playing guitars. “
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